Remote Civil Commitment Trial Attorney

Committee for Public Counsel Services; Northampton (MA); Remote; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Committee for Public Counsel Services in Northampton seeks a Trial Attorney to defend involuntary civil commitments, including trials and limited appellate work. The Northampton Commitment Unit handles petitions in Franklin, Northampton, Holyoke, and Springfield, with remote appearances across districts and guardianship matters as needed.

The role requires admission to practice law in Massachusetts, travel across the Commonwealth, and strong advocacy for indigent clients within a public defense

Qualifications

• Trial experience in mental health cases is preferred.
• Foreign language skills to support interaction with limited English proficient groups are desirable.
• Strong interpersonal and analytical skills; ability to work in a community and defense-oriented capacity.

Responsibilities

• Visit with and interview clients at locked psychiatric facilities.
• Conduct pre-trial investigation and discovery, reviewing facility and medical records and interviewing staff and witnesses.
• Work extensively with forensic psychiatric clinicians and other experts.
• Locate and interview witnesses and consult with service providers.
• Work with the staff social services advocate to find alternatives to hospitalization.
• Conduct extensive legal and medical research and writing.
• Represent clients in pretrial proceedings, hearings, trials, interlocutory appeals, and post-commitment relief proceedings; handle other duties as assigned.

Skills

Trial experience

Interpersonal skills

Analytical skills

Foreign language skills

Job description

Committee for Public Counsel Services in Northampton seeks a Trial Attorney to defend involuntary civil commitments, including trials and limited appellate work. The Northampton Commitment Unit handles petitions in Franklin, Northampton, Holyoke, and Springfield, with remote appearances across districts and guardianship matters as needed.

The role requires admission to practice law in Massachusetts, travel across the Commonwealth, and strong advocacy for indigent clients within a public defense