What are the responsibilities and job description for the Trial Attorney - CAFL Lowell position at Committee for Pub Counsel Srvc?
********************ALL APPLICANTS MUST APPLY DIRECTLY THROUGH THE CPCS iCIMS WEBSITE. IF YOU APPLY THROUGH MASS CAREERS AND DO NOT COMPLETE THE CPCS iCIMS APPLICATION, YOU WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POSITION. PLEASE USE THE FOLLOWING LINK TO APPLY (CUT AND PASTE INTO YOUR BROWSER IF THE EMBEDDED LINK DOES NOT WORK):
https://careers-publiccounsel.icims.com/jobs/2781/trial-attorney-cafl-lowell/job?mode=view********************
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
OFFICE OVERVIEW
The CAFL Lowell Trial Office is a close-knit group who strongly believe in community engagement and partnership to assist clients as they navigate the child welfare legal system as well as seeking racial justice for our clients. The office is centrally located in the city of Lowell and is within walking distance of the newly built and modernized courthouse. The city of Lowell has often been described as the “cradle for the American Industrial Revolution.” It is the home of a robust and diverse community that enhances the vitality of the region. Lowell is the birthplace of such notables as: author Jack Kerouac, actresses Bette Davis and Olympia Dukakis, and boxing legend, Micky Ward.
POSITION OVERVIEW
RESPONSIBILITIES
The duties of the Trial Attorney include:
- Interviewing adult clients;
- Visiting and interviewing child clients;
- Conducting legal research and writing;
- Conducting 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;
- Obtaining the entire DCF file, reviewing DCF action plans, proposing plan changes, advising client on whether to sign, meeting with court investigator, preparing client to meet with court investigator, and preparing motions to strike inadmissible evidence contained in the court investigator report;
- Preparing necessary motions regarding outstanding discovery, identifying matters requiring further hearing (e.g., services, DCF reasonable efforts, visitation), preparing pre-trial memo, and developing trial strategy with client;
- Preparing for Foster Care Reviews;
- Reviewing DCF's permanency plans and filing objections, if necessary;
- Investigating and representing client's position in extraordinary medical treatment hearings;
- Filing motions challenging DCF decisions;
- Conducting care and protection trials and termination of parental rights trials;
- Representing clients in interlocutory proceedings;
- Working with the legal team, including social workers and paralegals;
- Conducting post-judgment representation; and,
- Other duties as assigned.
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 who is 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 access 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 the principle of zealous advocacy in the representation of 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 personal mission statement of no more than two pages detailing your interest in the position, your personal qualities, background, and skills, and what you hope to achieve in your work.
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 sdebow@publiccounsel.net
********************ALL APPLICANTS MUST APPLY DIRECTLY THROUGH THE CPCS iCIMS WEBSITE. IF YOU APPLY THROUGH MASS CAREERS AND DO NOT COMPLETE THE CPCS iCIMS APPLICATION, YOU WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POSITION. PLEASE USE THE FOLLOWING LINK TO APPLY (CUT AND PASTE INTO YOUR BROWSER IF THE EMBEDDED LINK DOES NOT WORK):
https://careers-publiccounsel.icims.com/jobs/2781/trial-attorney-cafl-lowell/job?mode=view********************
