Trial Attorney - Remote Mental Health Civil Commitments

Commonwealth of Massachusetts; Northampton (MA); Hybride; USD 81 000 - 147 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

The Northampton Commitment Unit of the Committee for Public Counsel Services is seeking a full‑time Trial Attorney to defend involuntary civil commitment proceedings, including trials and limited appellate work, for clients in Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin Counties.

Position emphasizes zealous representation of indigent clients, remote appearances in District Court, and collaboration with mental health clinicians and private counsel across the Commonwealth.

Qualifications

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

Responsabilités

• Visiting with and interviewing clients at locked psychiatric facilities;
• Conducting pre-trial investigation and discovery, including obtaining and reviewing facility and other medical and psychiatric records, and interviewing facility staff and other potential witnesses;
• Working extensively with forensic psychiatric and psychological clinicians, and other experts;
• Locating and interviewing witnesses and consulting with service providers;
• Working with the staff social services advocate to find alternatives to hospitalization;
• Conducting extensive legal and medical research;
• Conducting legal research and writing;
• Representing clients in pretrial proceedings, hearings, trials, interlocutory appeals, and post-commitment relief proceedings;
• Other duties as assigned.

Connaissances

Trial experience

Interpersonal skills

Analytical skills

Community defense

Description du poste

The Northampton Commitment Unit of the Committee for Public Counsel Services is seeking a full‑time Trial Attorney to defend involuntary civil commitment proceedings, including trials and limited appellate work, for clients in Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin Counties.

Position emphasizes zealous representation of indigent clients, remote appearances in District Court, and collaboration with mental health clinicians and private counsel across the Commonwealth.