Trial Attorney - Public Defender Division, Hampden County Trial Offices

The Public Defender Division of the Committee for Public Counsel Services is seeking to fill multiple Trial Attorney positions in our newly formed Holyoke Public Defender Division Office and in the established Springfield Public Defender Division Office.  While the Holyoke Office and the Springfield Office each focus on their respective cities, they also cover other courts in Hampden County. Attorneys of all experience levels are encouraged to apply, however candidates with fluency in Spanish are preferred.

 
The Public Defender Division provides legal representation and zealous advocacy to the indigent community. We fight for equal justice and human dignity by supporting our clients in achieving their legal and life goals. We zealously advocate for the rights of individuals and promote public policy that in turn safeguards the rights of all.
 

Our Values

Courage   •   Accountability   •   Respect   •  Excellence

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION MISSION STATEMENT

CPCS is committed to protecting the fundamental constitutional and human rights of our assigned clients through zealous advocacy, community-oriented defense, and the fullness of excellent legal representation.  We are dedicated to building and maintaining strong professional relationships, while striving to accept, listen to and respect the diverse circumstances of each client, as we dedicate ourselves to meeting their individual needs.  It is our CPCS mission to achieve these goals, and in furtherance thereof, we embrace and endorse diversity, equity and inclusion as our core values as we maintain a steadfast commitment to: (1) Ensure that CPCS management and staff members represent a broad range of human differences and experience; (2) Provide a work climate that is respectful and supports success; and (3) Promote the dignity and well-being of all staff members. CPCS leadership is responsible for ensuring equity, diversity, and inclusion. The ability to achieve these goals with any level of certainty is ultimately the responsibility each member of the CPCS community.

 
AGENCY AND DIVISION 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.
 

The Public Defender Division’s mission is to ensure that criminal defendants are given the fundamental protection of the United States Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the Massachusetts Constitution. We believe that every defendant should not only receive zealous advocacy but respect and dignity as they deal with the potential loss of their liberty.

OFFICE OVERVIEWS

The Springfield PDD office provides public defense services for Hampden County.  Though one of the largest offices in the state, Springfield PDD is a close-knit office with a strong culture of teamwork and cooperation.  Springfield is situated in the scenic Pioneer Valley with access to hiking, water sports, and a variety of outdoor activities.  Further, Springfield is home to wide range of activities and attractions including the Dr. Seuss Museum, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, and the MGM Springfield Casino. 

The Public Defender Division of CPCS is opening a new community-focused office serving the Holyoke community. With the largest per capita population of Puerto Ricans in any city outside of Puerto Rico itself, Holyoke is a small but diverse city with a rich cultural history located in the beautiful Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts. This exciting new office has a mix of experienced public defenders and new voices shaping the local vision. The staff will provide zealous advocacy, focusing on the criminal district courts of Holyoke, Chicopee and Palmer as well as the Hampden Superior Court.

 
POSITION OVERVIEW

The Public Defender Division of the Committee for Public Counsel Services is seeking to fill multiple Trial Attorney positions in our newly formed Holyoke Public Defender Division Office and in the established Springfield Public Defender Division Office.  While the Holyoke Office and the Springfield Office each focus on their respective cities, they also cover other courts in Hampden County.  Attorneys of all experience levels are encouraged to apply, however candidates with fluency in Spanish are preferred.

Public Defender Division offices provide legal representation and advocacy to indigent clients who are charged with criminal offenses in both the District and Superior Courts.  Public Defenders begin their work by representing clients who are charged with criminal offenses within the final jurisdiction of the District Court, including misdemeanors and felonies, see G.L. c.218, § 26, and some serious sexual offenses, and occasionally handle initial commitment proceedings under G.L. c.123, §§ 12(e), 35. After gaining experience on cases within the final jurisdiction of the District Court, it is expected that Public Defenders will represent clients in the Superior Courts consistent with our unification guidelines and occasionally represent clients on interlocutory appeals, civil commitments, and certain collateral matters as permitted by a supervisor.  It is also expected that Public Defenders, as they gain experience, will act as informal mentors and advisors to other staff attorneys in the office. 

The Public Defender Division’s mission is to ensure that criminal defendants are given the fundamental protection of the United States Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the Massachusetts Constitution. We believe that every defendant should not only receive zealous advocacy but respect and dignity as they deal with the potential loss of their liberty.

The clients we represent are diverse across every context imaginable and bring many unique cultural dimensions to the matters we address.  This reality creates a critical need for CPCS attorneys to be culturally competent and able to work well with people of different races, ethnicities, gender and/or gender preferences, abilities and limited English proficiency, among other protected characteristics.

Attorneys of all experience levels are encouraged to apply to these positions.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The duties of a Trial Attorney include, but are not limited to:

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;
Litigating cases in the Superior Court as well as District and Municipal Court;
Representing witnesses before the grand jury or trial court;
Representing clients in interlocutory proceedings;
Where appropriate, work collaboratively with private attorneys on cases assigned through the Private Counsel Division of CPCS; 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 interim Director of Human Resources Management, Mark Conlon, at [email protected]