2025 - 2026 Public Defender Division Trial Attorney - Statewide Positions

Committee for Public Counsel Services•Boston, MA

About The Position

The Public Defender Division of CPCS 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 Public Defender Division will be hiring attorneys throughout 2025 and 2026 for immediate start dates as well as future dates, including September 2026. We fight for equal justice and human dignity by supporting our clients in achieving their legal and life goals. We zealously advocate for the rights of individuals and promote just public policy to protect the rights of all. 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 2025 and 2026 for immediate start dates as well as future start dates, including September 2026.

Requirements

A Trial Attorney must be committed to serving a culturally diverse, low-income population and must be 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 a personal computer with 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