Trial Attorney - PDD Hampden County Conflict Advocacy Office

Committee for Public Counsel Services•Springfield, MA

14d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Public Defender Division of the Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS), the Massachusetts public defender agency, is seeking Trial Attorneys to represent adult clients in the District and Superior Courts throughout Hampden County. This role is part of a new Conflict Advocacy Office in Hampden County. CPCS is dedicated to protecting the fundamental constitutional and human rights of assigned clients through zealous advocacy, community-oriented defense, and excellent legal representation. The agency provides representation in various case types, including criminal, delinquency, and family regulation matters. The new Hampden County Conflict Advocacy Office (CAO) will be located at 1441 Main Street in Springfield and will act as the Conflicts Office for the Public Defender Division when a conflict of interest prevents a PDD staff attorney from representing a client. The CAO will operate as a separate law firm for conflict of interest purposes, with its own managerial system and physical offices. Public Defenders represent indigent clients charged with criminal offenses, gaining experience in District Court and progressing to Superior Court cases, interlocutory appeals, and civil commitments. Experienced attorneys are expected to mentor others. New Trial Attorneys receive comprehensive, skills-based training, and continuing legal education programs are provided periodically.

Requirements

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.
Access to an automobile in order to travel to courts, clients, and investigation locations that are not easily accessible by public transportation
Access to 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

Nice To Haves

Staff who have worked in other CPCS Hampden County non-conflict offices within the past three years are not eligible to work in the Conflict Advocacy Office.

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