Staff Attorney

Federal Court Staff Attorney - Immigration Impact UnitThe Immigration Impact Unit of the Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS), the public defender agency of Massachusetts, is hiring a staff attorney to focus on federal court litigation as part of the Massachusetts Access to Counsel Initiative (MACI). This Staff Attorney will represent MACI clients primarily in federal habeas petitions, petitions for review, and other federal court proceedings.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 just public policy to protect the rights of all.Our Values C ourage • A ccountability • R espect • E xcellenceDIVERSITY 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.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, family regulation, 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.OFFICE OVERVIEW The Massachusetts Access to Counsel Initiative (MACI) office located within the IIU will be a new legal services program for immigration representation that will embrace the tenets of public defense and universal representation to provide zealous, holistic, and client centered representation. The MACI-IIU office will provide full-scope representation to people in removal proceedings, both detained and non-detained. The office will set standards of practice and create training to increase the capacity for removal defense representation within Massachusetts.POSITION OVERVIEW The Immigration Impact Unit is seeking an attorney to represent noncitizen clients primarily in federal habeas petitions, petitions for review, and other federal court proceedings. The Staff Attorney will be both lead counsel and co-counsel on these cases, with the IIU's other MACI staff attorneys and supervising attorney. The Staff Attorney will report to the Supervising Attorney. Please note, this position is contingent on annual grant-funding from the Governor's Office for Immigrant and Refugees. Therefore, funding for this position is only guaranteed for the duration of the grant period. While it is anticipated that additional funding may be awarded, that is not guaranteed.MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS The following attributes are required for the position of Staff Attorney: Must be eligible to practice law either as a member of the Massachusetts bar in good standing or as a member in good standing of the bar of another jurisdiction and be qualified to practice federal immigration law; Access to an automobile in order to travel to courts, clients, and detention centers that are not easily accessible by public transportation; and, Access to home internet access sufficient to work remotely.QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS Commitment to working with a culturally diverse, low-income population; A demonstrated commitment to the principle of zealous advocacy in the representation of indigent persons; Previous immigration practice before Federal Court strongly preferred; Relevant clinical program, internship, or work experience strongly preferred; Strong case management, legal research, and legal writing skills; Applicants must be creative, flexible, and highly motivated; Applicants must have the ability to work independently as well as collaboratively and manage a difficult area of practice; Demonstrated ability to take initiative and work under pressure; Interpersonal and communication skills that enable healthy and productive working relationships; Ability to perform duties with the highest regard for confidentiality, integrity, and respect; and, Proficiency in additional language(s) other than English preferred, with strong preference given to Spanish, Haitian Creole, and Portuguese.RESPONSIBILITIES Duties of a Federal Court Staff Attorney include, but are not limited to: Providing high quality, client-centered representation for detained and non-detained noncitizens in Federal Court; At times, representing non-detained clients released on bond; Engaging in affirmative litigation; Working collaboratively with other organizations, pro bono lawyers, and partners; Maintaining a full caseload of clients; Maintaining, organizing, and updating case files and case management database; Participating in ongoing training provided through MACI; Participating in regularly scheduled MACI team meetings to discuss individual cases, systemic concerns, and other topics as determined by supervisors; Participating in regular supervision meetings; and, Other duties as assignedEEO 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.