Oversight Counsel - Alternative Commitment Registration Support Unit, Private Counsel Division

Overview

The Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS), the public defender agency for Massachusetts, is seeking applications for an experienced appellate attorney for an Oversight Counsel position in The Alternative Commitment and Registration Support Unit of the Private Counsel Division. Oversight Counsel provide oversight and support to attorneys representing indigent clients in SDP civil commitment appeals and appeals of administrative classifications from SORB and the Superior Court.

This position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule.

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, equityand 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

CPCSis 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.

OFFICE OVERVIEW

The Alternative Commitment and Registration Support Unit (ACRSU) of CPCS is committed to ensuring that every indigent adult and youth in Massachusetts has access to zealous legal representation when facing “sexually dangerous person” (SDP) civil commitment and sex offender registry board (SORB) classification proceedings from hearings and trials to appeals at all levels.

The ACRSU oversees, supports, and trains private panel attorneys to represent clients in SORB and SDP cases and assigns private counsel to these cases, as needed. The ACRSU also consists of a litigation unit with a group of staff attorneys who represent clients in SDP jury trials in Superior Court. The ACRSU provides leadership in the specialized areas of SORB and SDP litigation defense.

The ACRSU is the only office in the state specializing in SORB litigation defense and provides leadership on SDP issues in collaboration with the SDP trial unit.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Oversight Counsel will assume a leadership role across the state and within the unit by identifying important litigation issues and working with the Director and the other Oversight Attorneys to train panel attorneys to preserve and raise these issues on appeal.

The Oversight Counsel’s primary responsibilities are…