Staff Counsel Rotation Position - Private Counsel Division, Parole Advocacy Unit

Committee for Public Counsel Services•Boston, MA

About The Position

The Private Counsel Division’s Parole Advocacy Unit seeks an attorney for a two-year Staff Counsel rotation, considered a lateral transfer. The Staff Counsel joins a team comprising the Director of Parole Advocacy, a Private Panel Support Attorney, and an Administrative Assistant. The position combines case-taking with serving as a resource to clients, colleagues, and private counsel. The attorney will carry a significant parole caseload, help develop innovative representation and best-practice models, provide guidance on parole matters, facilitate training, draft practice resources, and address disparities affecting parole and incarceration. At the end of the rotation, the attorney returns to their staff office with expertise in parole, medical parole, administrative advocacy, incarceration, and reentry. The term may be extended based on the attorney’s interest and the needs of the relevant offices and unit. Salary is based on current pay scales. The Parole Advocacy Unit is based in Boston, but the attorney is presumptively assigned to their current office location and must travel throughout Massachusetts as needed, including regularly to correctional facilities.

Requirements

Be eligible to practice law as a member of the Massachusetts bar in good standing, or as an attorney in another jurisdiction eligible for limited Massachusetts practice under SJC Rule 3:04.
Have at least three years of experience as an attorney.
Have reliable transportation for travel across the state and be willing to travel regularly to correctional facilities.
Have home internet access sufficient to work remotely.
Receive application eligibility approval from the Managing Director pursuant to the Rotation Process Guidance.
Have worked for CPCS for two years before becoming eligible for a rotation position.
Maintain a commitment to zealous advocacy for a culturally and geographically diverse, low-income population.
Have excellent, versatile written and verbal communication skills.
Be able to attend closely to detail across various platforms while handling multiple tasks and projects in a fast-paced environment.
Maintain focus and positivity in unpredictable and intense situations.
Work effectively independently, as part of a close, mission-driven team, and in partnership with other organizations.
Submit a resume, writing sample, and letter of interest describing experience in relevant areas.

Nice To Haves

At least three years of experience as a juvenile or adult criminal defense trial attorney.
Experience working with people with serious disabilities and accessing services for them.
Experience assisting incarcerated, sentenced individuals.
Experience with parole advocacy.
Knowledge of sentencing law.
Knowledge of administrative law.
Experience in juvenile or criminal law.
Experience with reentry advocacy.
Experience in appellate and civil litigation.

Responsibilities

Carry a significant caseload of parole cases, focusing on innovative representation and development of best-practice models.
Represent clients in parole, medical parole, and prison disciplinary matters, with a focus on clients serving determinate sentences.
Provide support and information about parole matters to prisoners, their loved ones, staff attorneys, and private counsel across the Commonwealth.
Serve as a resource to criminal trial, postconviction, and other attorneys with questions about incarcerated clients, particularly at the intersection of criminal law.
Develop and deliver training programs in collaboration with local experts.
Participate in and sometimes facilitate monthly practice meetings.
Create practice advisories and other resources.
Examine and address racial, ethnic, and disability disparities affecting parole and incarceration.
Perform other duties as assigned.

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