Trial Attorney - Mental Health Litigation, Worcester Office

Company: Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Location: Worcester
Posted on: November 6, 2024

Job Description:

An Official website of the Commonwealth of MassachusettsALERTEffective January 25, 2024, Executive Order #627 cements the Commonwealth's well-established practice of skills-based hiring, paving the way to a more equitable hiring process. The Commonwealth is committed to ensuring a diverse and inclusive workplace where all employees feel respected, valued, and empowered to serve our citizens. Join us today!Job Description - Trial Attorney - Mental Health Litigation, Worcester Office (2400095G)The Mental Health Litigation Division (MHLD) of the Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) is seeking a full-time Trial Attorney for civil commitment cases including trials and a limited number of appellate cases for its Worcester Office.The Worcester Office is responsible for civil commitments filed in the Worcester District Court for individuals facing civil commitments to Worcester Recovery Center & Hospital (Dept. of Mental Health), UMass Memorial Inpatient Psychiatric Units, St. Vincent Hospital, the Hospital for Behavioral Medicine and other hospitals as assigned.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.POSITION OVERVIEWThe Mental Health Litigation Division is committed to protecting the legal and constitutional rights of citizens facing civil commitment to a psychiatric facility, guardianship petitions, and involuntary treatment orders including the administration of antipsychotic medications. Mental Health Litigation Division Trial Attorneys receive training in issues relating to mental health and the statutory and constitutional rights of our clients.Mental Health Litigation Division Trial Attorneys provide zealous representation in mental health cases, primarily to indigent persons in proceedings seeking the initial commitment to, continued confinement at, or authorization to treat by psychiatric facilities operated by the Massachusetts Department of Corrections, Department of Mental Health (DMH) and private psychiatric facilities licensed by DMH. Attorneys will appear primarily in District Court sessions conducted at facilities for which the Office is responsible or in Superior Court divisions within the county in which the facilities are located but may be required to represent clients in proceedings emanating from other facilities and conducted in other courts of the Commonwealth. Trial Attorneys may also represent clients in appeals to the Appellate Divisions of the District and Municipal Courts.Trial Attorneys will be supervised by, and report to, the Attorney in Charge.RESPONSIBILITIESDuties of MHLD Trial Attorneys include, but are not limited to:

• Visiting with and interviewing clients at the facilities;
• Conducting pre-trial investigation and discovery, including reviewing facility and other medical and psychiatric records, and interviewing facility staff;
• Working extensively with forensic psychiatric and psychological clinicians;
• Locating and interviewing witnesses and consulting with service providers;
• Conducting legal research and writing;
• Representing clients in pretrial proceedings, hearings, and interlocutory appeals.MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS
  • Applicants 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 Commonwealth is necessary;
  • Access to a personal computer with home internet access sufficient to work remotely.To apply, please submit a resume, a cover letter detailing your interest in the position, and a legal writing sample.QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS
    • 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.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.Primary LocationUnited States-Massachusetts-Worcester - 120 Front StreetJobLegal ServicesAgencyCommittee for Pub Counsel SrvcScheduleFull-timeShiftDayJob PostingOct 24, 2024, 2:05:33 PMNumber of Openings1Salary$72,000.00 - $122,163.00 YearlyIf you have Diversity, Affirmative Action or Equal Employment Opportunity questions or need a Reasonable Accommodation, please contact Diversity Officer / ADA Coordinator: Sandra DeBow-Huang - 6174826212Potentially Eligible for a Hybrid Work Schedule: Yes
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Keywords: Commonwealth of Massachusetts, New Bedford , Trial Attorney - Mental Health Litigation, Worcester Office, Healthcare , Worcester, Massachusetts