Trial Attorney - MHLD Worcester

Committee for Public Counsel Services • Worcester, MA

8h • Hybrid

About The Position

The Mental Health Litigation Division (MHLD) of the Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) is seeking a full-time Trial Attorney for its Worcester Office. This role focuses on civil commitment cases, including trials and a limited number of appellate cases. The office serves selected facilities in Worcester, Massachusetts, advocating for clients' legal and life goals, promoting just public policy, and protecting individual rights. CPCS is the state agency responsible for providing legal representation to individuals who cannot afford an attorney in various case types, including criminal, delinquency, family regulation, guardianship, and mental health matters. The MHLD specifically provides trial and appellate representation to indigent persons facing commitment to psychiatric facilities, petitions for authorization of medical treatment, and guardianship petitions where mental health and capacity are at issue. Trial Attorneys receive specialized training on mental health issues and client rights, providing zealous representation in proceedings concerning commitment, continued confinement, and treatment authorization in public and private psychiatric facilities. Attorneys will primarily appear in District Court sessions at facilities or Superior Court divisions within the county, but may be required to represent clients in other courts. The role also includes potential representation in appeals to the Appellate Divisions of the District and Municipal Courts.

Requirements

• Eligible to practice law in Massachusetts, either as a member of the Massachusetts bar or as an attorney licensed in another jurisdiction who is covered by Supreme Judicial Court Rule 3:04
• Access to reliable transportation throughout the Commonwealth
• Access to home internet access sufficient to work remotely

Nice To Haves

• Foreign language skills to support interaction with limited English proficient groups in the region
• Trial experience in mental health cases
• Strong interpersonal and analytical skills
• Ability to work in a community and defense-oriented capacity, both independently and collaboratively

Responsibilities

• Visiting with and interviewing clients at the facilities
• Conducting pre-trial investigation and discovery, including obtaining and reviewing facility and other medical and psychiatric records, and interviewing facility staff and other potential witnesses
• Working extensively with forensic psychiatric, psychological and other clinicians
• Locating and interviewing witnesses and consulting with service providers
• Conducting legal research and writing
• Representing clients in pretrial proceedings, hearings, trials, and interlocutory appeals

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed