Trial Attorney - CAFL Boston

Overview 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. 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 or where the court is considering granting custody to DCF. New Trial Attorneys in the CAFL Offices begin their CPCS career with a nationally recognized, comprehensive, skills‑based training course to ensure they are ready to represent their clients to their full capabilities. Continuing legal education programs are held periodically to keep Trial Attorneys up to date on the law and their advocacy skills. Qualifications Minimum Entrance Requirements 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; and Access to home internet sufficient to work remotely. Qualifications/Skills 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 representing indigent persons in family regulation cases. Strong interpersonal and analytical skills. Ability to work in a community and defense‑oriented capacity, both independently and collaboratively. To apply, please submit a resume and a personal mission statement of no more than two pages detailing your interest in the position, your personal qualities, background, skills, and what you hope to achieve in your work. Responsibilities Responsibilities Interview adult clients. Visit and interview child clients. Conduct legal research and writing. Conduct pre‑72 hour hearing investigation including reviewing pleadings and exhibits, locating and interviewing witnesses, preparing witnesses, gathering facts from the DCF social worker and other collateral providers, consulting with other parties' counsel regarding their position, collecting and reviewing documentary evidence, identifying objections to testimonial and documentary evidence, and drafting appropriate motions. Obtain DCF files, review DCF action plans, propose plan changes, advise client on whether to sign, meet with court investigator, prepare client to meet with court investigator, and prepare motions to strike inadmissible evidence contained in the court investigator report. Prepare necessary motions regarding outstanding discovery, identify matters requiring further hearing (e.g., services, DCF reasonable efforts, visitation), prepare pre‑trial memo, and develop trial strategy with client. Prepare for Foster Care Reviews. Review DCF's permanency plans and file objections, if necessary. Investigate and represent client's position in extraordinary medical treatment hearings. File motions challenging DCF decisions. Conduct care and protection trials and termination of parental rights trials. Represent clients in interlocutory proceedings. Work with the legal team, including social workers and paralegals. Conduct post‑judgment representation. 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 Chief Human Resources Officer, Sandra DeBow-Huang, at View email address on click.appcast.io. #J-18808-Ljbffr Committee for Public Counsel Services