Trial Attorney - CAFL Lowell

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) : Apply HereThe Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS), the public defender agency for Massachusetts, is seeking an attorney to work in the Children and Family Law Division (CAFL) Lowell Office.CAFL provides legal representation to children and indigent parents in family regulation matters, including care and protection (C&P) proceedings, children requiring assistance (CRA) cases, actions to terminate parental rights, guardianship-of-a-minor cases, and any other child custody proceeding where the Department of Children and Families (DCF) is a party or where the court is considering granting custody to DCF.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 ValuesCourage

• Accountability
• Respect
• ExcellenceDIVERSITY AND INCLUSION MISSION STATEMENTCPCS 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.AGENCY OVERVIEWCPCS 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.OFFICE OVERVIEWThe 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.”POSITION OVERVIEWCAFL’s legal advocacy plays a critical role in cases that affect families. New Trial Attorneys in the CAFL Offices begin their CPCS career with a nationally recognized, comprehensive, skills-based training course to ensure they are ready to represent their clients to their full capabilities. Continuing legal education programs for new and experienced Trial Attorneys are held periodically to ensure that our Trial Attorneys are up to date on the law and have the skills necessary to provide zealous representation to their clients.RESPONSIBILITIESThe 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;Obtaining the entire DCF file and reviewing DCF action plans;Preparing necessary motions regarding outstanding discovery;Preparing for Foster Care Reviews;Conducting care and protection trials and termination of parental rights trials;Working with the legal team, including social workers and paralegals;Conducting post-judgment representation;Other duties as assigned.MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTSA Trial Attorney must be committed to serving a culturally diverse, low income population and must be eligible to practice law in Massachusetts;All Trial Attorney positions require travel; access to reliable transportation throughout the state is necessary;Access to home internet access sufficient to work remotely.QUALIFICATIONS / SKILLSForeign language skills are desirable;Trial experience in termination of parental rights cases is preferred;A demonstrated commitment to the principle of zealous advocacy;Strong interpersonal and analytical skills;Ability to work 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 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.#J-18808-Ljbffr