Trial Attorney - CAFL Boston

Job Description - Trial Attorney - CAFL Boston (260003UR) The Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS), the public defender agency for Massachusetts, is seeking an attorney to work in the Children and Family Law Division (CAFL) Boston Office. Overview CAFL provides legal representation to children and indigent parents in family regulation matters, including care and protection (C&P) proceedings, children requiring assistance (CRA) cases, actions to terminate parental rights, guardianship‑of‑a‑minor cases, and any other child custody proceeding where the Department of Children and Families (DCF) is a party. Position Overview CAFL’s legal advocacy plays a critical role in cases that affect families. For a parent involved in a C&P case, a skilled CAFL lawyer may mean the difference between the family’s reunification and the termination of parental rights – the “death penalty of family law.” Qualifications / Skills A Trial Attorney 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, or as an attorney licensed in another jurisdiction covered by Supreme Judicial Court Rule 3:04. All Trial Attorney positions require travel; access to reliable transportation throughout the state is necessary. Access to home internet access sufficient to work remotely. Foreign language skills are desirable. Trial experience in termination of parental rights cases as counsel for a parent and/or as counsel for a child or children is preferred. A demonstrated commitment to zealous advocacy in the representation of indigent persons in family regulation cases. Strong interpersonal and analytical skills. Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a community and defense‑oriented capacity. Responsibilities Interview adult and child clients. Conduct legal research and writing. Perform pre‑72 hour hearing investigations, including reviewing pleadings and exhibits, locating and interviewing witnesses, preparing witnesses, gathering facts from DCF social workers, and consulting with opposing counsel. Obtain the entire DCF file, review action plans, propose changes, advise clients, and prepare motions related to evidence and discovery. Prepare for Foster Care Reviews and investigate extraordinary medical treatment hearings. File motions challenging DCF decisions and conduct care and protection trials, including termination of parental rights trials. Represent clients in interlocutory proceedings, post‑judgment representation, and collaborate with social workers, paralegals, and the legal team. Develop trial strategy in partnership with clients and prepare pre‑trial memoranda. 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 applicable federal and state statutes. Applicants who have questions about equal employment opportunity or who need reasonable accommodations can contact the Chief Human Resources Officer, Sandra DeBow‑Huang, at View email address on click.appcast.io. Job Posting : May 19, 2026, 5:28:10 PM Salary : $80,598.00 - $146,988.00 Yearly #J-18808-Ljbffr Commonwealth of Massachusetts