Committee for Public Counsel Services
2026 Children and Family Law Division Trial Attorney - Statewide Positions
Committee for Public Counsel Services, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
Overview
The Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS), the public defender agency for Massachusetts, seeks attorneys to represent children and parents in family regulation cases. CPCS provides legal representation for those unable to afford an attorney. The Children and Family Law Division (CAFL) represents children and indigent parents in family regulation matters, including care and protection (C&P) proceedings, children requiring assistance (CRA) cases, termination of parental rights actions, guardianship-of-a-minor cases, and other child custody matters where DCF is a party or custody may be granted to DCF. We advocate for equal justice and human dignity, supporting clients to achieve their legal and life goals, and promoting just public policy to protect rights for all. Position and Start
2026 CAFL Trial Attorney – statewide positions. Positions will be filled as budgets allow, and the posting does not guarantee filling. Expected start date is early September 2026. Qualifications
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 (as a member of the Massachusetts bar, a law school graduate under SJC Rule 3:03, or an attorney licensed in another jurisdiction under SJC Rule 3:04). A recent law school graduate ineligible to practice under SJC Rule 3:03 may be hired as a paralegal with the understanding they will be promoted to trial attorney after admission in Massachusetts; All Trial Attorney positions require travel; access to reliable transportation throughout the state is necessary; Access to home internet sufficient to work remotely. To apply, please submit a resume and a personal mission statement of no more than two pages detailing your interest, background, and goals. Qualifications/Skills Foreign language skills are desirable; Trial experience in termination of parental rights cases as counsel for a parent and/or for a child is preferred; Commitment to zealous advocacy for indigent persons in family regulation; Strong interpersonal and analytical skills; Ability to work in a community- and defense-oriented capacity, both independently and collaboratively. Responsibilities
Interviewing adult and child clients; conducting legal research and writing; Conducting pre-72-hour hearing investigations, including reviewing pleadings and exhibits, locating and interviewing witnesses, preparing witnesses, coordinating with social workers and other providers, and drafting motions; Reviewing DCF files and action plans, proposing plan changes, advising clients on signing, meeting with court investigators, and preparing motions to strike inadmissible evidence; Preparing motions regarding discovery and matters requiring further hearing, preparing pre-trial memos, and developing trial strategy with clients; Preparing for Foster Care Reviews and reviewing DCF permanency plans, filing objections as needed; Representing clients in extraordinary medical treatment hearings, filing motions challenging DCF decisions, and conducting care and protection and termination of parental rights trials; Representing clients in interlocutory proceedings and working with the legal team, including social workers and paralegals; Conducting post-judgment representation; and other duties as assigned. EEO Statement
The 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 applicable laws. Applicants with questions about equal employment opportunity or who need reasonable accommodations can contact the Chief Human Resources Officer. Employment Details
Seniority level: Entry level Employment type: Full-time Job function: Legal Industries: Law Practice
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The Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS), the public defender agency for Massachusetts, seeks attorneys to represent children and parents in family regulation cases. CPCS provides legal representation for those unable to afford an attorney. The Children and Family Law Division (CAFL) represents children and indigent parents in family regulation matters, including care and protection (C&P) proceedings, children requiring assistance (CRA) cases, termination of parental rights actions, guardianship-of-a-minor cases, and other child custody matters where DCF is a party or custody may be granted to DCF. We advocate for equal justice and human dignity, supporting clients to achieve their legal and life goals, and promoting just public policy to protect rights for all. Position and Start
2026 CAFL Trial Attorney – statewide positions. Positions will be filled as budgets allow, and the posting does not guarantee filling. Expected start date is early September 2026. Qualifications
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 (as a member of the Massachusetts bar, a law school graduate under SJC Rule 3:03, or an attorney licensed in another jurisdiction under SJC Rule 3:04). A recent law school graduate ineligible to practice under SJC Rule 3:03 may be hired as a paralegal with the understanding they will be promoted to trial attorney after admission in Massachusetts; All Trial Attorney positions require travel; access to reliable transportation throughout the state is necessary; Access to home internet sufficient to work remotely. To apply, please submit a resume and a personal mission statement of no more than two pages detailing your interest, background, and goals. Qualifications/Skills Foreign language skills are desirable; Trial experience in termination of parental rights cases as counsel for a parent and/or for a child is preferred; Commitment to zealous advocacy for indigent persons in family regulation; Strong interpersonal and analytical skills; Ability to work in a community- and defense-oriented capacity, both independently and collaboratively. Responsibilities
Interviewing adult and child clients; conducting legal research and writing; Conducting pre-72-hour hearing investigations, including reviewing pleadings and exhibits, locating and interviewing witnesses, preparing witnesses, coordinating with social workers and other providers, and drafting motions; Reviewing DCF files and action plans, proposing plan changes, advising clients on signing, meeting with court investigators, and preparing motions to strike inadmissible evidence; Preparing motions regarding discovery and matters requiring further hearing, preparing pre-trial memos, and developing trial strategy with clients; Preparing for Foster Care Reviews and reviewing DCF permanency plans, filing objections as needed; Representing clients in extraordinary medical treatment hearings, filing motions challenging DCF decisions, and conducting care and protection and termination of parental rights trials; Representing clients in interlocutory proceedings and working with the legal team, including social workers and paralegals; Conducting post-judgment representation; and other duties as assigned. EEO Statement
The 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 applicable laws. Applicants with questions about equal employment opportunity or who need reasonable accommodations can contact the Chief Human Resources Officer. Employment Details
Seniority level: Entry level Employment type: Full-time Job function: Legal Industries: Law Practice
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