The Mental Health Litigation Division (MHLD) is seeking an experienced attorney to serve as the Attorney in Charge of it Brockton Commitment Unit. The Attorney in Charge supervises and assists the Division’s trial attorneys in the development of trial strategy, motion practice, and other tasks that trial lawyers must undertake. The Attorney in Charge is also responsible for supervising the supervising staff attorneys and the non-attorney staff in the office. The Attorney in Charge represents clients with a reduced caseload, consistent with managerial duties and consistent with the obligations and responsibilities of a staff trial attorney or appellate attorney.
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.
The Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) is the Massachusetts state agency that provides legal representation to indigent persons in criminal and civil matters in which there is a right to counsel under the state or federal Constitution, state statutes, or case law. The agency provides representation in criminal, delinquency, youthful offender, child welfare, mental health, sexually dangerous person, and sex offender registry cases, as well as in appeals and collateral proceedings related to these matters.
The Mental Health Litigation Division (MHLD) is seeking an experienced attorney to serve as the Attorney in Charge of it Brockton Commitment Unit.
The Mental Health Litigation Division (MHLD) provides trial and appellate representation to indigent persons when petitions seeking commitment to public or private psychiatric facilities and petitions seeking to impose guardianships, including authorization to administer or terminate "extraordinary" medical treatment, are filed against them. In commitment proceedings, representation is provided either by MHLD staff attorneys or by private attorneys certified by MHLD to accept such assignments.
POSITION OVERVIEW
The Attorney in Charge supervises and assists the Division’s trial attorneys in the development of trial strategy, motion practice, and other tasks that trial lawyers must undertake. The Attorney in Charge is also responsible for supervising the non-attorney staff in the office. The Attorney in Charge represents clients with a reduced caseload, consistent with managerial duties and consistent with the obligations and responsibilities of a staff trial attorney or appellate attorney.
RESPONSIBILITIES
The Attorney in Charge is responsible for the management of the day-to-day operations of the office, delegating administrative tasks as appropriate to staff. The Attorney in Charge also attends regular meetings with other office heads, the Director and others to discuss management and policy issues. The AIC reports to the Director.
The AIC will also:
- Supervise, train and assist staff trial attorneys;
- Monitor caseload of attorneys and assign cases to appropriate staff;
- Manage office personnel fostering a positive and collaborative work environment which includes resolving employment
issues;
- Collaborate with CPCS staff trial attorneys in criminal cases where there are mental health issues;
- Handle an individual caseload of MHLD cases;
- Work with court personnel and outside agencies regarding MHLD and CPCS policy changes and improvements;
- Participate in the recruitment, selection and hiring process of office and agency staff;
- Oversee the appellate practice of staff trial attorneys, including mentoring lawyers on appeals cases;
- Assist in in the training of both staff and private panel attorneys;
- Assist in the publication of the MCLE Mental Health Proceedings in Massachusetts: a Manual for Defense Counsel;
- Work with the Director as assigned on CPCS and MHLD policy initiatives; and,
- Other duties as assigned.
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.
MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS
Applicants for the position of Attorney in Charge shall:
- 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;
- Have a minimum of seven years’ experience handling mental health cases
QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS
- Have significant trial experience
- Have administrative and managerial skills and supervisory experience.
Candidates should submit a statement of interest and a résumé. The statement of interest should include a description of the candidate's trial, supervisory, and administrative or management experience, as well as a discussion of any priorities and vision for leading the office.