Paralegal - Post Convictions Special Projects Unit, Private Counsel Division

Commonwealth of Massachusetts • Boston, MA

15d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS), Massachusetts' public defender agency, is seeking a full-time Paralegal for its Special Projects Unit (SPU) within the Private Counsel Division's Criminal Appeals Unit. This role is based in Boston and offers a hybrid work schedule with a minimum of two days in the office. The SPU focuses on developments in the law that have a widespread impact on post-conviction clients, potentially providing grounds for overturning convictions. The paralegal will assist in gathering data and discovery, preparing for evidentiary hearings, filing public records requests, notifying clients and attorneys of relevant legal developments, and responding to inquiries. This work is specific to state criminal courts. The position requires a strong commitment to fighting injustices faced by CPCS clients and supporting their legal and life goals.

Requirements

• A Bachelor’s degree or Paralegal certificate
• Access to reliable transportation in order to travel to locations that are not easily accessible by public transportation
• Access to home internet access sufficient to work remotely
• Facility with MS Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook
• Excellent organizational skills
• Ability to perform factual research via internal records, public records and on-line databases
• Ability to perform data analysis
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Skills and experience in interacting with persons of various social, racial, cultural economic and educational backgrounds
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and persuasively orally and in writing

Nice To Haves

• A strong sense of the daily injustices faced by CPCS’ clients and a commitment to fighting those injustices
• A strong interest in seeking sustainable systemic and institutional reform on behalf of CPCS’s indigent clients in all practice areas

Responsibilities

• Conducting factual research via internal records, public records, and on-line databases
• Preparing and pursuing public record requests
• Updating databases and providing support for database users
• Organizing and summarizing data obtained via discovery
• Locating and performing preliminary interviews of potential clients and witnesses
• Analyzing data and presenting findings to attorneys
• Becoming familiar with the law and processes related to the various legal developments as they arise such as the Massachusetts drug lab scandals
• Answering phone, written, and email inquiries, utilizing multiple databases, from individuals inquiring about convictions
• Maintaining accurate electronic records of work performed
• Other duties as assigned

Benefits

• Hybrid work schedule

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level