Supervising Attorney - PDD Boston Central & Boston Metro
About The Position
The Public Defender Division of the Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS), Massachusetts’s public defender agency, is seeking Supervising Attorneys for its Boston Metro and newly created Boston Central offices. The role requires at least four years of criminal defense representation experience. Under the direction of the office Attorney in Charge, the Supervising Attorney helps supervise Trial Attorneys while maintaining a reduced caseload of their own. Clients are indigent people charged with criminal offenses within the final jurisdiction of the respective court. The position combines criminal defense representation with supervision and development of Trial Attorneys. Supervisors support attorneys handling Municipal, District, and Superior Court matters, including serious felony and complex cases, and may also supervise other staff as delegated. The Boston offices are downtown, in a modernized building shared with CPCS Administration and other divisions and units. They are accessible by public transportation and ferry services.
Requirements
- Eligible to practice law in Massachusetts as a member of the Massachusetts bar in good standing, or as a member of another jurisdiction’s bar eligible for limited Massachusetts practice under Supreme Court Rule 3:04.
- At least four years of experience providing criminal defense representation in District and Superior Courts.
- Access to an automobile for travel to courts, clients, and investigation locations not easily reached by public transportation.
- Access to home internet sufficient to work remotely.
Nice To Haves
- Significant jury trial experience as lead counsel in criminal cases, including Superior Court cases.
- Commitment to working with a culturally diverse, low-income population.
- Willingness and ability to work positively and collaboratively with the Attorney in Charge and supervisees.
- Demonstrated commitment to zealous advocacy for indigent people in criminal cases.
- Strong interpersonal and analytical skills.
- Ability and commitment to complete annual performance evaluations in a timely and comprehensive manner.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a community- and defense-oriented capacity.
- Foreign language skills, particularly Spanish.
Responsibilities
- Supervise Trial Attorneys assigned to Municipal, District, and Superior Court cases, including new and experienced attorneys handling serious felony or complex Superior Court cases.
- Maintain a reduced caseload and represent clients through interviews, arraignment and bail advocacy, legal research and writing, pretrial investigation, and collection and review of evidence.
- Prepare and argue pretrial motions, affidavits, and legal memoranda; conduct dispositional investigations and advocacy; handle jury and bench trials; and represent clients in interlocutory proceedings.
- Hold regular individual meetings with supervisees to review case files and group meetings to review case preparation and performance.
- Provide in-court supervision, including second-seating trials and significant pretrial hearings.
- Prepare annual performance evaluations in a timely and comprehensive manner.
- Present in-office training sessions.
- Supervise investigators, student interns, or other staff as delegated by the office Attorney in Charge.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
Education Level
No Education Listed
