Staff Counsel - Children & Family Law Division, Trial Support Unit

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Organization information
Organization name: 
Committtee for Public Counsel Services
Street address: 
44 Bromfield Street
City: 
Boston
State: 
Massachusetts
ZIP: 
02108
Job type: 
Legal - Defender
Position Description: 

The Children and Family Law (CAFL) Division of the Committee for Public Counsel Services, the Massachusetts public defender agency, is seeking an attorney with experience in state intervention/child welfare law to work with its main administrative office in Boston to support and monitor the trial attorneys on the private panel.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION MISSION STATEMENT

CPCS is committed to protecting the fundamental constitutional and human rights of its clients by providing zealous advocacy, community-oriented defense, and excellent representation. In fulfilling its mission, CPCS is committed to fostering diversity at all levels of the agency. We are dedicated to building a strong professional relationship with each of our clients, to understanding their diverse circumstances, and to meeting their needs. In striving always to achieve those goals, CPCS embraces diversity and inclusion as core values and is steadfast in our commitment to: (1) ensuring that CPCS management and staff members represent a broad range of human difference and experience; (2) providing a work climate that is respectful and that supports success; and (3) promoting the dignity and well-being of all staff members. CPCS's leadership is responsible for ensuring excellence, diversity, and inclusion. Our ability to achieve these goals depends on the efforts of all of us.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Children and Family Law (CAFL) Division of the Committee for Public Counsel Services, the Massachusetts public defender agency, is seeking an attorney with experience in state intervention/child welfare law to work with its main administrative office in Boston to support and monitor the trial attorneys on the private panel.

CAFL Staff Counsel in this unit help private CAFL trial attorneys throughout the state provide zealous representation to their child and parent clients.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsibilities may include:

- Assisting in the support and oversight of the CAFL trial panel;
- Providing advice to panel attorneys
- Helping to ensure that CAFL panel attorneys comply with the CAFL Performance Standards;
- Coordinating the Mentoring Program in assigned counties;
- Working with Resource Attorneys in assigned counties to help meet the needs of the local bar and facilitate
communication with the local courts;
- Evaluating Applications for CAFL Certification Trainings;
- Assisting the CAFL Training Unit in presenting programs;
- Preparing and providing information about administrative changes and policies to private attorneys;
- Assisting in developing and updating resource materials for the CAFL web site;
- Reviewing CAFL Recertification applications;
- Conducting and coordinating performance reviews of CAFL panel attorneys statewide;
- Assisting in drafting and publicizing CAFL Performance Standards
- Assisting with developing policies;Investigating complaints; and,
- Other duties as assigned.

Staff Counsel in this unit may also maintain a small caseload of child welfare trial and/or appellate clients. These staff attorneys report to the CAFL Trial Panel Director.

EEO Statement

The Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, sex, disability, religion, age, veteran or military status, genetic information, gender identity, or sexual orientation as required by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and other applicable federal and state statutes and organizational policies. Applicants who have questions about equal employment opportunity or who need reasonable accommodations can contact the Director of Human Resources Management, Lisa Bacon.

Requirements: 

Minimum Entrance Requirements

- Must be eligible to practice law in this jurisdiction as a member of the Massachusetts bar in good standing, or as an
attorney in another jurisdiction who is eligible to engage in limited Massachusetts practice under Supreme Judicial Court
Rule 3:04; and,
- Minimum five years’ legal experience, including at least four years in child welfare matters.

Qualifications/Skills

- Ten years’ legal experience including at least seven years in child welfare matters preferred;
- Significant litigation and trial experience;
- Private panel experience is a plus;
- Willingness to travel within Massachusetts and access to reliable transportation to travel to courts and other locations as
required;
- Excellent writing, litigation, and oral presentation skills; and,
- Able to maintain a professional and supportive relationship with the private bar and be ready to serve as leaders when
working with the courts, the Department of Children and Families, and professional and community organizations.

Interested candidates should submit a detailed statement of interest, resume, and legal writing sample, and the names of at least two (2) professional references (who are not judges). The letter of interest should include a description of the candidate’s trial, appellate, administrative and other experience. Candidates with ties to central or western Massachusetts should describe them.

Notes: 
Equal Opportunity Employer
Salary range: 
$73,500 - $107,500, commensurate with years of experience
Submission deadline: 
Wednesday, November 28, 2018