Legal Training Attorney - CAFL Training Department

Committee for Public Counsel•Boston, MA

4d•$80,598 - $146,988•Hybrid

About The Position

The Training Department of the Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS), the public defender agency for Massachusetts, is seeking an attorney with experience in family regulation law to be a Legal Training Attorney in the Children and Family Law (CAFL) Practice Area. The Training Department is located in Boston, but this position may be seated in any available CPCS office, depending on the needs of the candidate, Training Department, and available space. CPCS fights for equal justice and human dignity by supporting clients in achieving their legal and life goals, zealously advocating for the rights of individuals and promoting just public policy. CPCS is the state agency in Massachusetts responsible for providing attorneys to individuals who cannot afford to retain one, representing clients in a wide range of legal matters including criminal, delinquency, family regulation, guardianship, and mental health cases. The CPCS Training Department develops and delivers comprehensive, practice-driven education for staff and private assigned counsel across all areas of public defense. Through a team of experienced practice area trainers, the Department provides rigorous substantive instruction and advanced skills training. The Children and Family Law Legal Training Attorneys work collaboratively to educate, train, enable, empower, and support children and family law attorneys to provide excellent representation and client-centered advocacy. These attorneys serve staff and private lawyers accepting appointments through the Children and Family Law Division of CPCS. Travel throughout the state for training is required. A remote work schedule is available when there is no conflict with on-going training. The Legal Training Attorney reports to the Children and Family Law Training Director.

Requirements

Must be eligible to practice law in this jurisdiction as a member of the Massachusetts bar in good standing, or as an attorney in another jurisdiction who is eligible to engage in limited Massachusetts practice under Supreme Judicial Court Rule 3:04
A minimum of 3 years full-time experience representing children and parents in child welfare/family regulation matters
Access to reliable transportation in order to travel to various training locations and courts across the Commonwealth
Access to a personal computer with home internet access sufficient to work remotely and proficiency using zoom and/or other online platforms

Nice To Haves

4 years preferred experience representing children and parents in child welfare/family regulation matters
Significant litigation and trial experience
Cultural humility, antiracism, and/or diversity and inclusion training, course work, and other relevant experience
Experience as a presenter or coach at training programs or at in-house office training sessions
Appellate and administrative law experience
Significant work with expert witnesses
Excellent writing, litigation, and oral presentation skills
Exceptional organizational ability
Exceptional interpersonal skills
Curriculum development
Technological proficiency including distance learning

Responsibilities

Planning, teaching and coaching at CAFL’s certification training programs and specialized training events
Participating in children and family law training needs assessments
Working collaboratively with CAFL’s trial and appellate panel support units and staff offices to deliver training and support other initiatives
Overseeing and supporting trainings presented by the CAFL Resource Attorneys
Designing, revising, and delivering training workshops for private attorneys and staff
Assisting with training projects for support staff and management/leadership training events
Writing and editing training materials and other written resources for CAFL practitioners
Assisting with the development and maintenance of CAFL web-based training and resource initiatives
Participating in one or more of the Training Department’s Cross-Practice Working Groups
Collaborating cross-divisionally to provide exceptional and current trainings that support the zealous representation of clients across CPCS
May maintain a small CAFL caseload
Other duties as assigned