2027 Public Defender Division Trial Attorney - Statewide Positions
About The Position
The Public Defender Division of the Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS), the public defender agency for Massachusetts, is seeking Trial Attorneys to provide criminal defense representation in various offices throughout the Commonwealth. The Public Defender Division provides legal representation and advocacy to indigent clients who are charged with criminal offenses in both the District and Superior Courts. The agency provides representation in criminal, delinquency, youthful offender, family regulation, guardianship, mental health, sexually dangerous person, and sex offender registry cases, as well as in appeals and post-conviction and post-judgment proceedings related to those matters. Public Defenders begin their work by representing clients who are charged with criminal offenses within the final jurisdiction of the District Court, including misdemeanors and felonies, and some serious sexual offenses, and occasionally handle initial commitment proceedings. After gaining experience on cases within the final jurisdiction of the District Court, it is expected that Public Defenders will represent clients in the Superior Courts and occasionally represent clients on interlocutory appeals, civil commitments, and certain collateral matters as permitted by a supervisor. It is also expected that Public Defenders, as they gain experience, will act as informal mentors and advisors to other staff attorneys in the office. New Trial Attorneys in the Public Defender Division begin their CPCS career with a nationally recognized, comprehensive, skills-based training course to ensure they are ready to represent their clients to their full capabilities. Continuing legal education programs for new and experienced Trial Attorneys are held periodically to guarantee our Trial Attorneys are up to date on the law and have the skills necessary to provide zealous representation to their clients. Attorneys will be hired throughout 2026 and 2027 for immediate start dates as well as future start dates, Spring and Fall (September) 2027.
Requirements
- Committed to serving a culturally diverse, low-income population
- Eligible to practice law in Massachusetts, either as a member of the Massachusetts bar, as a law school graduate under Supreme Judicial Court Rule 3:03, or as an attorney licensed in another jurisdiction who is covered by Supreme Judicial Court Rule 3:04.
- A recent law school graduate who is ineligible to practice under SJC Rule 3:03 will be hired as a paralegal with the understanding that they will be promoted to trial attorney once admitted to practice in Massachusetts
- Access to an automobile in order to travel to courts, clients, and investigation locations that are not easily accessible by public transportation
- Access to home internet access sufficient to work remotely
- A demonstrated commitment to the principle of zealous advocacy in the representation of indigent persons in criminal cases
- Strong interpersonal and analytical skills
- Ability to work in a community and defense-oriented capacity, both independently and collaboratively
Responsibilities
- Interviewing clients
- Arraignment and bail advocacy
- Legal research and writing
- Pretrial investigation including visiting crime scenes, locating and interviewing witnesses, collecting and reviewing documentary evidence
- Preparing and arguing pretrial motions, affidavits and legal memoranda
- Dispositional investigations and advocacy
- Jury and bench trials of criminal cases
- Representation of clients in interlocutory proceedings
- Where appropriate, working collaboratively with private attorneys on cases assigned through the Private Counsel Division of CPCS
- Other duties as assigned
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
