Description:

Agency Overview
The Committee for Public Counsel Services (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, Civil Commitment, Sexually Dangerous Person, and Sex Offender Registry Cases, as Well as In Appeals and Post-Conviction and Post-Judgment Proceedings Related to Those Matters.

Qualifications:
Minimum Entrance Requirements:
Interested Candidates Should Have a Demonstrated Commitment to The Principle of Zealous Advocacy, Community-Oriented Defense, and The Protection of Fundamental Constitutional and Human Rights.

Candidates Must Also Have Access To:

Reliable Transportation or Public Transportation to Travel to Courts and Hospitals, And,
A Personal Computer with Home Internet Access Sufficient to Work Remotely.
Application Information

Interested Applicants Should Submit (1) Resume, (2) Personal Mission Statement (one Page Detailing Your Interest in The Internship, Your Personal Qualities and Background, and What Draws You to This Work, and (3) Writing Sample.

Responsibilities:
Mental Health Litigation Division Overview
The Mental Health Litigation Division Provides Individuals with Attorneys for Civil Commitment Proceedings in The District and Superior Courts and Provides Attorneys for Appointment by The Probate and Family Courts to Represent Persons in Guardianships and Substituted Judgment Proceedings, Including Cases Involving Conservatorship, Elder Abuse, the Validation of Health Care Proxies, Nursing Home Admission and Do Not Resuscitate Orders. Civil Commitments Are Handled by Both Staff and Private Attorneys, While Most Cases in The Probate Court Are Handled by Private Panel Attorneys.

In Addition to Our Staff Offices in Brockton, Roxbury, Northampton, and Worcester, the Mhld Has Attorneys in Our Trial Support and Oversight Office and Our Training Department. All Our Attorneys Receive Training in Issues Relating to Mental Health and The Statutory and Constitutional Rights of Our Clients. the Mental Health Litigation Division Offers Interns a Variety of Experiences and Assignments Under the Supervision of Highly Experienced Attorneys.

Mental Health Commitment Defense Units
The Mhld Offices Located in Brockton Seeks Interns and Law Coop Students Who Have Completed Their 2 L Year and Are or Can Be 3:03 Certified to Assist Attorneys with Representation of Citizens Facing Involuntary Civil Commitment to Mental Health Facilities, and Involuntary Medical Treatment for Mental Illness, Including the Administration of Anti-Psychotic Medications. 1 Ls Are Welcome to Intern with The Commitment Defense Offices to Assist with Client Calls, Reviewing Medical Records and Legal Research. Interns in Mhld Commitment Offices Will:

Shadow Several Attorneys During Their Internship,
Develop a Working Understanding of G.L. C. 123 and The Requirements for Civil Commitment, District and Municipal Court Commitment Proceedings, Court-Ordered Medication Proceedings, and The Rules of Evidence as Applied in Mental Health Cases,
Visit Clients and Conduct Interviews to Obtain Relevant Information and Ascertain the Client's Position on Their Pending Petition(s)
Work with Independent Medical Experts Including Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Social Service Experts, and Other Mental Health Professionals as Requested by Staff Attorneys,
Work with Attorneys to Prepare Motions for Funds, Motions for In Person Hearings, Review Medical Records, Direct Examinations, Cross-Examination of Designated Forensic Psychologists and Psychiatrists and Closing Arguments,
Develop Research on Race and Equity Issues in Civil Commitments and Assist in Developing a Litigation Guide for Such Issues, Conduct Research Into Support for Novel Issues or Arguments.