2027 Public Defender Division Trial Attorney - Statewide Positions

Commonwealth of Massachusetts•Boston, MA

5d•Hybrid

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. CPCS is committed to protecting the fundamental constitutional and human rights of our assigned clients through zealous advocacy, community-oriented defense, and the fullness of excellent legal representation. We are dedicated to building and maintaining strong professional relationships, while striving to accept, listen to and respect the diverse circumstances of each client, as we dedicate ourselves to meeting their individual needs. CPCS is the state agency in Massachusetts responsible for providing an attorney when the state or federal constitution or a state statute requires the appointment of an attorney for a person who cannot afford to retain one. 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. 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. 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, see G.L. c.218, § 26, and some serious sexual offenses, and occasionally handle initial commitment proceedings under G.L. c.123, §§ 12(e), 35. 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

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