OverviewThe Public Defender Division of CPCS is seeking Trial Attorneys to provide criminal defense representation in various offices throughout the Commonwealth. The Public Defender Division provides legal representation and advocacy to indigent clients who are charged with criminal offenses in both the District and Superior Courts.The Public Defender Division will be hiring attorneys throughout 2025 and 2026 for immediate start dates as well as future dates, including September 2026.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.QualificationsMINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTSA 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, as a law school graduate under Supreme Judicial Court Rule 3:03, or as an attorney licensed in another jurisdiction who is covered by Supreme Judicial Court Rule 3:04. A recent law school graduate who is ineligible to practice under SJC Rule 3:03 will be hired as a paralegal with the understanding that they will be promoted to trial attorney once admitted to practice in Massachusetts;Access to an automobile in order to travel to courts, clients, and investigation locations that are not easily accessible by public transportation; and,Access to a personal computer with home internet access sufficient to work remotely.QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLSCandidates should possess the following attributes for the position of Trial Attorney:A demonstrated commitment to the principle of zealous advocacy in the representation of indigent persons in criminal cases;Strong interpersonal and analytical skills; and,Ability to work in a community and defense-oriented capacity, both independently and collaboratively.ResponsibilitiesRESPONSIBILITIESInterviewing clients;Arraignment and bail advocacy;Legal research and writing;Pretrial investigation including visiting crime scenes, locating and interviewing witnesses, collecting and reviewing documentary evidence;Preparing and arguing pretrial motions, affidavits and legal memoranda;Dispositional investigations and advocacy;Jury and bench trials of criminal cases;Representation of clients in interlocutory proceedings;Where appropriate, working collaboratively with private attorneys on cases assigned through the Private Counsel Division of CPCS; and,Other duties as assigned.EEO StatementThe 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 sdebow@publiccounsel.net#J-18808-Ljbffr