Committee for Public Counsel Services
Staff Attorney - Immigration Impact Unit
Committee for Public Counsel Services, Malden, Massachusetts, us, 02148
Overview
The Immigration Impact Unit of the Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS), the public defender agency of Massachusetts, is hiring staff attorneys as part of the Massachusetts Access to Counsel Initiative (MACI). Staff Attorneys will represent detained and non-detained clients in removal and bond proceedings before the Immigration Court, the Board of Immigration Appeals, related proceedings before USCIS and, when appropriate, in Federal Court.
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 Values: Courage • Accountability • Respect • Excellence
CPCS is committed to protecting the fundamental constitutional and human rights of our assigned clients through zealous advocacy, community-oriented defense, and excellent legal representation. We strive to build and maintain strong professional relationships, while respecting diverse circumstances of each client and meeting their individual needs. We embrace diversity, equity and inclusion as core values and are committed to representing a broad range of human differences and experience, providing a respectful work climate, and promoting the dignity and well-being of all staff members.
Agency Overview
CPCS is the state agency in Massachusetts responsible for providing an attorney when the state or federal constitution or a state statute requires appointment for a person who cannot afford 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 appeals and post-conviction and post-judgment proceedings related to those matters. The clients we represent are diverse and bring many cultural dimensions to their matters, creating a need for cultural competence and the ability to work with people of varying races, ethnicities, genders and/or sexual orientation identities, abilities, and limited English proficiency, among other protected characteristics.
Office Overview
The Massachusetts Access to Counsel Initiative (MACI) office within the IIU will be a new legal services program for immigration representation that embraces public defense and universal representation to provide zealous, holistic, and client-centered representation. MACI-IIU will provide full-scope representation to people in removal proceedings, both detained and non-detained, and will set standards of practice and training to increase capacity for removal defense in Massachusetts.
Position Overview
The Immigration Impact Unit seeks attorneys to represent detained and non-detained clients in removal and bond proceedings before the Immigration Court, the Board of Immigration Appeals, related proceedings before USCIS and, when appropriate, in Federal Court. Staff Attorneys report to the Supervising Attorney.
Please note, these positions are contingent on grant-funding from the Governor’s Office for Immigrant and Refugees which has yet to be awarded. This posting does not guarantee that we will be filling this position. Funding for this position is guaranteed only for the duration of the grant period. While it is anticipated that additional funding may be awarded, that is not guaranteed.
MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS The following attributes are required for the position of Staff Attorney:
Must be eligible to practice law either as a member of the Massachusetts bar in good standing or as a member in good standing of the bar of another jurisdiction and be qualified to practice federal immigration law;
Access to an automobile to travel to courts, clients, and detention centers not easily accessible by public transportation; and
Access to home internet to work remotely.
QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS
Commitment to working with a culturally diverse, low-income population;
A demonstrated commitment to zealous advocacy in the representation of indigent persons;
Relevant clinical program, internship, or work experience strongly preferred;
Strong case management, legal research, and legal writing skills;
Creativity, flexibility, and high motivation;
Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively and manage a difficult area of practice;
Demonstrated initiative and ability to work under pressure;
Interpersonal and communication skills for healthy working relationships;
Ability to maintain confidentiality, integrity, and respect; and
Proficiency in languages other than English preferred.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Provide high quality, client-centered representation for detained and non-detained noncitizens in removal proceedings in immigration courts, before the Board of Immigration Appeals and in Federal Court;
Represent non-detained clients released on bond;
Engage in affirmative litigation;
Work collaboratively with other organizations, pro bono lawyers, and partners;
Maintain a full caseload of clients;
Maintain, organize, and update case files and case management database;
Participate in ongoing training through MACI;
Participate in MACI team meetings to discuss cases, systemic concerns, and other topics as determined by supervisors;
Participate in regular supervision meetings; and
Other duties as assigned
EEO Statement
The 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
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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 Values: Courage • Accountability • Respect • Excellence
CPCS is committed to protecting the fundamental constitutional and human rights of our assigned clients through zealous advocacy, community-oriented defense, and excellent legal representation. We strive to build and maintain strong professional relationships, while respecting diverse circumstances of each client and meeting their individual needs. We embrace diversity, equity and inclusion as core values and are committed to representing a broad range of human differences and experience, providing a respectful work climate, and promoting the dignity and well-being of all staff members.
Agency Overview
CPCS is the state agency in Massachusetts responsible for providing an attorney when the state or federal constitution or a state statute requires appointment for a person who cannot afford 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 appeals and post-conviction and post-judgment proceedings related to those matters. The clients we represent are diverse and bring many cultural dimensions to their matters, creating a need for cultural competence and the ability to work with people of varying races, ethnicities, genders and/or sexual orientation identities, abilities, and limited English proficiency, among other protected characteristics.
Office Overview
The Massachusetts Access to Counsel Initiative (MACI) office within the IIU will be a new legal services program for immigration representation that embraces public defense and universal representation to provide zealous, holistic, and client-centered representation. MACI-IIU will provide full-scope representation to people in removal proceedings, both detained and non-detained, and will set standards of practice and training to increase capacity for removal defense in Massachusetts.
Position Overview
The Immigration Impact Unit seeks attorneys to represent detained and non-detained clients in removal and bond proceedings before the Immigration Court, the Board of Immigration Appeals, related proceedings before USCIS and, when appropriate, in Federal Court. Staff Attorneys report to the Supervising Attorney.
Please note, these positions are contingent on grant-funding from the Governor’s Office for Immigrant and Refugees which has yet to be awarded. This posting does not guarantee that we will be filling this position. Funding for this position is guaranteed only for the duration of the grant period. While it is anticipated that additional funding may be awarded, that is not guaranteed.
MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS The following attributes are required for the position of Staff Attorney:
Must be eligible to practice law either as a member of the Massachusetts bar in good standing or as a member in good standing of the bar of another jurisdiction and be qualified to practice federal immigration law;
Access to an automobile to travel to courts, clients, and detention centers not easily accessible by public transportation; and
Access to home internet to work remotely.
QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS
Commitment to working with a culturally diverse, low-income population;
A demonstrated commitment to zealous advocacy in the representation of indigent persons;
Relevant clinical program, internship, or work experience strongly preferred;
Strong case management, legal research, and legal writing skills;
Creativity, flexibility, and high motivation;
Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively and manage a difficult area of practice;
Demonstrated initiative and ability to work under pressure;
Interpersonal and communication skills for healthy working relationships;
Ability to maintain confidentiality, integrity, and respect; and
Proficiency in languages other than English preferred.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Provide high quality, client-centered representation for detained and non-detained noncitizens in removal proceedings in immigration courts, before the Board of Immigration Appeals and in Federal Court;
Represent non-detained clients released on bond;
Engage in affirmative litigation;
Work collaboratively with other organizations, pro bono lawyers, and partners;
Maintain a full caseload of clients;
Maintain, organize, and update case files and case management database;
Participate in ongoing training through MACI;
Participate in MACI team meetings to discuss cases, systemic concerns, and other topics as determined by supervisors;
Participate in regular supervision meetings; and
Other duties as assigned
EEO Statement
The 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
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