Paralegal - Post Convictions Special Projects Unit, Private Counsel Division

Commonwealth of Massachusetts • Boston, MA

16d • 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 per week in the office. The SPU focuses on identifying and addressing legal developments with widespread impact on CPCS post-conviction clients, potentially leading to the overturning of convictions. The paralegal will support attorneys by gathering data and discovery, preparing for hearings, filing public records requests, and communicating developments to clients and attorneys. This position is limited to state criminal courts.

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
• Two years of paralegal experience may be substituted for the degree/certificate

Nice To Haves

• A strong interest in seeking sustainable systemic and institutional reform on behalf of CPCS’s indigent clients in all practice areas
• 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

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

• Full-time employment
• Hybrid work schedule

What This Job Offers

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