The Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) is seeking an attorney to provide immigration advice, training and litigation support to court-appointed attorneys throughout Massachusetts and to engage in systemic litigation on the interplay between federal immigration enforcement and the Massachusetts criminal justice system. CPCS is the statewide agency that provides representation to indigent clients in criminal and civil cases in which there is a right to counsel. The attorney will work under the direction of the Director of the Immigration Impact Unit.
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 Staff Counsel will work closely with others in the CPCS Immigration Impact Unit to fully implement the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Padilla v. Kentucky, which requires criminal defense attorneys to advise clients about potential immigration consequences prior to resolution of their cases. The attorney will provide immigration analysis and advice on individual cases, provide litigation support on post-conviction motions, and draft amicus briefs in relevant cases. The attorney will also engage in litigation on matters that impact noncitizen indigent defendants in Massachusetts, such as the legality of immigration detainers, of civil immigration arrests at Massachusetts courthouses, and of local and state law enforcement officials performing immigration enforcement duties pursuant to agreements under 8 U.S.C. 1357(g).
Responsibilities
The primary responsibilities of this position include the following:
- Providing immigration advice and support on individual cases to court-appointed attorneys throughout Massachusetts.
- Providing litigation support to court-appointed attorneys on post-conviction motions filed to minimize adverse
immigration consequences; monitoring immigration-related issues before the Massachusetts appellate courts and filing
amicus briefs when necessary.
- Litigating cases on behalf of indigent clients that involve the impact of Massachusetts criminal convictions on immigration
status and the role of the state criminal justice system in the enforcement of immigration law.
- Drafting written resources, training materials and practice advisories on relevant immigration law. Developing and
presenting training programs for Massachusetts court-appointed attorneys on relevant immigration issues, including the
immigration consequences of criminal cases;
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 for this position must be committed to serving a culturally diverse, low income population and must be eligible to practice law in Massachusetts, either as a member of the Massachusetts bar in good standing or as the member of the bar of another jurisdiction eligible to engage in limited Massachusetts practice under Supreme Judicial Court Rule 3:04. Access to an automobile is required in order to travel to courts, clients, and training locations.
Qualifications/Skills
Candidates should possess the following attributes for this position:
- Experience in the interplay between criminal and immigration law is required.
- Prior experience in both criminal and immigration law is strongly preferred.
- Candidates must have excellent analytic and writing skills.
- Prior appellate experience is strongly preferred.
- Candidates must be able to work independently and collaboratively, and must be comfortable working with culturally
diverse, indigent clients.
- Foreign language skills, particularly candidates who are fluent in oral and written Spanish, strongly preferred.
To apply, please go to: https://careers-publiccounsel.icims.com/jobs/1704/staff-counsel---immigr...
To apply: please supply a resume, a personal statement of interest, and a writing sample.