The Audit and Oversight Department is seeking an attorney who has experience managing a successful private law practice and a proven track record representing clients in Mental Health and/or Children and Family Law cases. Candidates should have a demonstrated background or proficiency in accounting, finance, or auditing.
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.
AGENCY OVERVIEW
CPCS is the state agency in Massachusetts responsible for providing an attorney when the state or federal constitution or a state statute requires the appointment of an attorney for a person who cannot afford to retain one. The agency provides representation in criminal, delinquency, youthful offender, child welfare, guardianship, mental health, sexually dangerous person, and sex offender registry cases, as well as in appeals and post-conviction and post-judgment proceedings related to those matters.
AUDIT & OVERSIGHT DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW
Pursuant to G. L. c. 211D, s. 12, the Audit and Oversight Department of CPCS is responsible for the prevention of fraud, waste and abuse of taxpayer funds appropriated for the representation of indigent persons by ensuring that payments made for legal and support services are based upon bills which are reasonable, proper, supported by adequate documentation, and in compliance with billing policy. This includes fiscal oversight of approximately 3,000 private attorneys who accept indigent client case assignments through CPCS, as well as 1500 vendors who provide client services under the Indigent Court Cost Act, G. L. c. 261, §§27A-G.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Staff Counsel for the Audit and Oversight Department are responsible for monitoring the agency’s annual budget for private counsel legal fees of approximately $165,000,000 and court costs exceeding $20,000,000 using a multi-value database processing over 500,000 invoices annually. They also utilize a variety of audit controls to detect fraud, waste, and abuse while enforcing policies and procedures related to the agency’s internal controls by providing feedback and support to departments within the agency.
The incumbent will oversee attorney and vendor legal and professional billing.
In addition, the incumbent will:
- Monitor the agency’s annual budget for private counsel legal fees using a multi-value database and enforce policies and
procedures;
- Perform reviews and audits of legal and vendor service bills for compliance with billing policy;
- Conduct large-scale investigations of financial irregularities and prepare detailed audit reports subject to judicial scrutiny;
- Draft agency recommendations for sanctions and/or discipline for vendors found to have violated policies and/or
procedures;
- Perform legal research and draft memoranda, correspondence or other documents;
- Utilize internal electronic systems to develop, maintain, and analyze statistical reports;
- Recommend policies and procedures to minimize the risk of fraud, waste and abuse;
- Monitor internal controls to ensure they are operating as intended and that they are modified as appropriate for changes
in conditions;
- Professionally communicate information regarding audits and billing policies in response to attorney and vendor inquiries;
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, at [email protected]
MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS
Candidates must:
- Be eligible to practice law as a member of the Massachusetts Bar in good standing;
- Have a minimum five (5) years of experience practicing law; and,
- Have a demonstrated background or proficiency in accounting, finance, or auditing.
QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS
- Preference will be given to attorneys with 7 years of experience and a proven track record of representing clients in Mental
Health and Children and Family Law cases;
- Preference will be given to attorneys with experience managing a private law practice or similar public sector experience;
- Experience tracking time and billing clients for legal services rendered in their cases;
- Litigation experience representing clients in the district, juvenile, superior, and probate and family courts;
- Professional writing skills, including the ability to draft detailed, comprehensive and accurate reports, pleadings,
correspondence, and other documents;
- Excellent analytical and investigative skills and the ability to analyze and summarize large amounts of information and
data;
- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail;
- Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills combined with flexibility and the ability to multi-task;
- Proficiency with Windows, MS Word, Excel, Access, or similar programs;
- Ability to strictly adhere to confidentiality requirements;
- Knowledge of government auditing principles as promulgated by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts;
- Knowledge of and experience working with multi-value databases or complex automated billing systems;
- Ability to use new technology to enhance productivity and decision making; and,
- A degree in accounting is desirable or knowledge of the principles of accounting, especially in government systems.