Closing Date: 24th June, 2026

Description:

Overview:
The Training Department of the Committee for Public Counsel Services, the public defender agency for Massachusetts, is seeking an attorney with experience in family regulation law to be a Legal Training Attorney in the Children and Family Law (CAFL) Practice Area. The Training Department is located in Boston but this position may be seated in any available CPCS office, depending on the needs of the candidate, Training Department, and available space.

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:
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 of Each Member of The Cpcs Community.

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.

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 Staff to Be Culturally Competent and Able to Work Well with People of Different Races, Ethnicities, Genders And/or Sexual Orientation Identities, Abilities, and Limited English Proficiency, Among Other Protected Characteristics.

Department Overview:
The Cpcs Training Department Develops and Delivers Comprehensive, Practice-Driven Education for Staff and Private Assigned Counsel Across All Areas of Public Defense. Through a Team of Experienced Practice Area Trainers in Criminal Defense, Children and Family Law, Youth Advocacy, and Mental Health Litigation, the Department Provides Rigorous Substantive Instruction Alongside Advanced Skills Training that Reflects the Realities of Modern Indigent Defense Practice. Our Programming Is Informed by Evolving Law, Interdisciplinary Collaboration, and The Needs of The Clients We Serve, and Is Designed to Meet the Highest Standards of Excellence in Public Defense Training Nationwide.

In Addition to Core Practice-Area Offerings, the Department Leads Agency-Wide Training Initiatives in Areas Such as Appellate and Post-Trial Advocacy; Emerging Adult Representation; Forensic Issues; Holistic Defense; Trial Strategy; Leadership, Management, and Professional Development; and Wellness. These Integrated Training Pathways Equip Attorneys Not only With Technical Legal Proficiency, but With the Strategic, Collaborative, and Management Competencies Required for Effective Client-Centered Advocacy. by Investing in Continuous Professional Development, the Training Department Strengthens the Quality, Consistency, and Impact of Representation Provided by Cpcs Staff and Private Counsel Statewide.

Position Overview:
Children and Family Law Legal Training Attorneys Work Collaboratively to Educate, Train, Enable, Empower, and Support Children and Family Law Attorneys so They May Provide Excellent Representation and Client-Centered Advocacy to The Agency's Clients. Children and Family Law Legal Training Attorneys Serve Staff and Private Lawyers Accepting Appointments Through the Children and Family Law Division of Cpcs.

Travel Throughout the State for Training Is Required. a Remote Work Schedule Is Available when There Is No Conflict with On-Going Training. the Training Department Is Located in Boston but The Office Location for This Position Is Negotiable and May Be Seated in Any Available Cpcs Office, Depending on The Needs of The Candidate, Training Department, and Available Space.

The Legal Training Attorney Reports to The Children and Family Law Training Director.

Qualifications:
Minimum Entrance Requirements:

Must Be Eligible to Practice Law in This Jurisdiction as A Member of The Massachusetts Bar in Good Standing, or As an Attorney in Another Jurisdiction Who Is Eligible to Engage in Limited Massachusetts Practice Under Supreme Judicial Court Rule 3:04;
A Minimum of 3 Years Full-Time Experience Representing Children and Parents in Child Welfare/family Regulation Matters (4 Years Preferred);
Access to Reliable Transportation in Order to Travel to Various Training Locations and Courts Across the Commonwealth; And,
Access to A Personal Computer with Home Internet Access Sufficient to Work Remotely and Proficiency Using Zoom And/or Other Online Platforms.

Qualifications/skills:
A Successful Candidate Will Have Experience in Some or All of The Following Areas:

Significant Litigation and Trial Experience;
Cultural Humility, Antiracism, And/or Diversity and Inclusion Training, Course Work, and Other Relevant Experience;
Experience as A Presenter or Coach at Training Programs or At In-House Office Training Sessions;
Appellate and Administrative Law Experience;
Significant Work with Expert Witnesses;
Excellent Writing, Litigation, and Oral Presentation Skills;
Exceptional Organizational Ability;
Exceptional Interpersonal Skills;
Curriculum Development; And,
Technological Proficiency Including Distance Learning.
Applicants Should Submit a Resume, Writing Sample and A Letter of Interest Which Includes Information About Your Experience in The Aforementioned Areas.

Responsibilities:
Duties of The Children and Family Law Legal Training Attorney Include, but Are Not Limited To:

Planning, Teaching and Coaching at Cafl's Certification Training Programs and Specialized Training Events;
Participating in Children and Family Law Training Needs Assessments;
Working Collaboratively with Cafl's Trial and Appellate Panel Support Units and Staff Offices to Deliver Training and Support Other Initiatives;
Overseeing and Supporting Trainings Presented by The Cafl Resource Attorneys;
Designing, Revising, and Delivering Training Workshops for Private Attorneys and Staff;
Assisting with Training Projects for Support Staff and Management/leadership Training Events;
Writing and Editing Training Materials and Other Written Resources for Cafl Practitioners;
Assisting with The Development and Maintenance of Cafl Web-Based Training and Resource Initiatives;
Participating in One or More of The Training Department's Cross-Practice Working Groups;
Collaborating Cross-Divisionally to Provide Exceptional and Current Trainings that Support the Zealous Representation of Clients Across Cpcs;
May Maintain a Small Cafl Caseload; And,
Other Duties as Assigned.