Trial Attorney - MHLD Northampton

Committee for Public Counsel • Northampton, MA

2d • $80,598 - $146,988 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS), Massachusetts' public defender agency, is seeking a full-time Trial Attorney for its Northampton office. This role involves zealously defending clients against involuntary civil commitment proceedings, including trials and a limited number of appellate cases. The Northampton office serves Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin Counties. CPCS is dedicated to fighting for equal justice and human dignity by supporting clients in achieving their legal and life goals, advocating for individual rights, and promoting just public policy. The agency provides representation when the state or federal constitution or a statute requires an attorney for individuals who cannot afford one, covering a wide range of case types including criminal, delinquency, family regulation, guardianship, mental health, and sexually dangerous person cases. The Mental Health Litigation Division (MHLD) specifically provides trial and appellate representation to indigent persons facing commitment to psychiatric facilities, petitions for authorization to administer or terminate medical treatment, and petitions for guardianships where mental health and capacity are at issue. The Northampton Commitment Unit handles involuntary civil commitment petitions in Franklin, Northampton, Holyoke, and Springfield District Courts, as well as guardianships and community treatment plans in Hampden and Hampshire Probate and Family Courts. The Trial Attorney will focus on civil commitment cases, competency to make informed medical decisions, and substituted judgment determinations, appearing primarily remotely in District Court sessions but also potentially in Superior Court, Probate and Family Court, and Appellate Divisions.

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 is necessary
• 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 are desirable
• Trial experience in mental health cases is preferred
• 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 locked psychiatric 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 and psychological clinicians, and other experts
• Locating and interviewing witnesses and consulting with service providers
• Working with the staff social services advocate to find alternatives to hospitalization
• Conducting extensive legal and medical research
• Conducting legal research and writing
• Representing clients in pretrial proceedings, hearings, trials, interlocutory appeals, and post-commitment relief proceedings
• Other duties as assigned

What This Job Offers

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