Mass.gov
All applicants must apply directly through the CPCS iCIMS website. If you apply through Mass Careers and do not complete the CPCS iCIMS application, you will not be considered for this position. Please use the following link to apply (cut and paste into your browser if the embedded link does not work): Apply at https://careers-publiccounsel.icims.com/jobs/2961/supervising-attorney---immigration-impact-unit/job
The Immigration Impact Unit of the Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS), the public defender agency of Massachusetts, is seeking an experienced attorney to fill the position of Supervising Attorney as part of the Massachusetts Access to Counsel Initiative (MACI). Under the direction of the Unit’s Director, the Supervising Attorney will supervise Staff Attorneys and will also provide direct representation to indigent Massachusetts residents in removal proceedings.
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.
Courage • Accountability • Respect • Excellence
Diversity and inclusion mission statement: CPCS is committed to protecting the fundamental constitutional and human rights of our assigned clients through zealous advocacy, community‑oriented defense, and the fullness of excellent legal representation. We are dedicated to building and maintaining strong professional relationships, while striving to accept, listen to and respect the diverse circumstances of each client. It is our CPCS mission to achieve these goals, and in furtherance thereof, we embrace and endorse diversity, equity and inclusion as our core values as we maintain a steadfast commitment to: (1) Ensure that CPCS management and staff members represent a broad range of human differences and experience; (2) Provide a work climate that is respectful and supports success; and (3) Promote the dignity and well‑being of all staff members. CPCS leadership is responsible for ensuring equity, diversity, and inclusion. The ability to achieve these goals with any level of certainty is ultimately the responsibility of each member of the CPCS community.
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 the appointment of an attorney for a person who cannot afford to retain 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 in appeals and post‑conviction and post‑judgment proceedings related to those matters.
OFFICE OVERVIEW The Massachusetts Access to Counsel Initiative (MACI) office located within the IIU will be a new legal services program for immigration representation that will embrace the tenets of public defense and universal representation to provide zealous, holistic, and client‑centered representation. The MACI‑IIU office will provide full‑scope representation to people in removal proceedings, both detained and non‑detained. The office will set standards of practice and create training to increase the capacity for removal defense representation within Massachusetts.
POSITION OVERVIEW The Immigration Impact Unit is seeking an experienced attorney with a minimum of five years of experience in immigration legal practice. Under the direction of the MACI Program Director and the IIU Director, the Supervising Attorney will assist in the supervision of Staff Attorneys and will have their own caseload of indigent Massachusetts residents in removal proceedings. Supervising Attorneys will be involved in the day‑to‑day operations of the MACI representation program and will help train and mentor staff.
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 only guaranteed for the duration of the grant period.
RESPONSIBILITIES The Supervising Attorney will supervise Staff Attorneys assigned to represent Massachusetts residents in removal proceedings of detained and non‑detained immigrants in addition to their case responsibilities. The Supervising Attorney must be capable of supervising new Staff Attorneys as well as experienced Staff Attorneys practicing in immigration removal proceedings.
Direct representation duties include:
Client interviews
Legal research and writing
Analyzing legal issues and developing legal strategies
Preparing and arguing motions, affidavits, and legal memoranda
Bond hearings, Master Calendar Hearings and Individual hearings in removal proceedings
Representation on Habeas petitions
Advocacy before the Board of Immigration Appeals
Supervisory duties include, but are not limited to:
Regular one‑on‑one meetings with individual supervisees to review case files, as well as group meetings, to review case preparation and performance
In‑court supervision, including second‑seating of Individual Calendar Hearings and significant Master Calendar hearings
Preparation of annual performance evaluations
Presentation of in‑office training sessions
Supervision of other staff, such as paralegals and student interns, as delegated by the Director
Assisting with reporting and data collection
Responding to client, community, and staff concerns
Other duties as assigned
MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS 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; a minimum of five years of experience providing immigration representation; access to an automobile to travel to courts, clients, and detention centers that are not easily accessible by public transportation; and access to home internet sufficient to work remotely.
QUALIFICATIONS / SKILLS
Significant litigation experience as lead counsel in immigration removal proceedings
Commitment to working with a culturally diverse, low‑income population
Comprehensive knowledge of immigration law
Experience supervising and mentoring attorneys and other staff
Willingness and ability to work positively and collaboratively with both the Director and Supervisees
Excellent writing, analytical, and organizational skills
Excellent interpersonal communication skills
A demonstrated commitment to the principle of zealous advocacy in the representation of indigent persons
Ability and commitment to complete annual performance evaluations in a timely and comprehensive manner
Strong interpersonal and analytical skills
Ability to work in community and defense‑oriented capacity, both independently and collaboratively
Foreign language skills are desirable
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.
ALL APPLICANTS MUST APPLY DIRECTLY THROUGH THE CPCS iCIMS WEBSITE All applicants must apply directly through the CPCS iCIMS website. If you apply through Mass Careers and do not complete the CPCS iCIMS application, you will not be considered for this position. Please use the following link to apply (cut and paste into your browser if the embedded link does not work): Apply at https://careers-publiccounsel.icims.com/jobs/2961/supervising-attorney---immigration-impact-unit/job
#J-18808-Ljbffr
The Immigration Impact Unit of the Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS), the public defender agency of Massachusetts, is seeking an experienced attorney to fill the position of Supervising Attorney as part of the Massachusetts Access to Counsel Initiative (MACI). Under the direction of the Unit’s Director, the Supervising Attorney will supervise Staff Attorneys and will also provide direct representation to indigent Massachusetts residents in removal proceedings.
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.
Courage • Accountability • Respect • Excellence
Diversity and inclusion mission statement: CPCS is committed to protecting the fundamental constitutional and human rights of our assigned clients through zealous advocacy, community‑oriented defense, and the fullness of excellent legal representation. We are dedicated to building and maintaining strong professional relationships, while striving to accept, listen to and respect the diverse circumstances of each client. It is our CPCS mission to achieve these goals, and in furtherance thereof, we embrace and endorse diversity, equity and inclusion as our core values as we maintain a steadfast commitment to: (1) Ensure that CPCS management and staff members represent a broad range of human differences and experience; (2) Provide a work climate that is respectful and supports success; and (3) Promote the dignity and well‑being of all staff members. CPCS leadership is responsible for ensuring equity, diversity, and inclusion. The ability to achieve these goals with any level of certainty is ultimately the responsibility of each member of the CPCS community.
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 the appointment of an attorney for a person who cannot afford to retain 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 in appeals and post‑conviction and post‑judgment proceedings related to those matters.
OFFICE OVERVIEW The Massachusetts Access to Counsel Initiative (MACI) office located within the IIU will be a new legal services program for immigration representation that will embrace the tenets of public defense and universal representation to provide zealous, holistic, and client‑centered representation. The MACI‑IIU office will provide full‑scope representation to people in removal proceedings, both detained and non‑detained. The office will set standards of practice and create training to increase the capacity for removal defense representation within Massachusetts.
POSITION OVERVIEW The Immigration Impact Unit is seeking an experienced attorney with a minimum of five years of experience in immigration legal practice. Under the direction of the MACI Program Director and the IIU Director, the Supervising Attorney will assist in the supervision of Staff Attorneys and will have their own caseload of indigent Massachusetts residents in removal proceedings. Supervising Attorneys will be involved in the day‑to‑day operations of the MACI representation program and will help train and mentor staff.
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 only guaranteed for the duration of the grant period.
RESPONSIBILITIES The Supervising Attorney will supervise Staff Attorneys assigned to represent Massachusetts residents in removal proceedings of detained and non‑detained immigrants in addition to their case responsibilities. The Supervising Attorney must be capable of supervising new Staff Attorneys as well as experienced Staff Attorneys practicing in immigration removal proceedings.
Direct representation duties include:
Client interviews
Legal research and writing
Analyzing legal issues and developing legal strategies
Preparing and arguing motions, affidavits, and legal memoranda
Bond hearings, Master Calendar Hearings and Individual hearings in removal proceedings
Representation on Habeas petitions
Advocacy before the Board of Immigration Appeals
Supervisory duties include, but are not limited to:
Regular one‑on‑one meetings with individual supervisees to review case files, as well as group meetings, to review case preparation and performance
In‑court supervision, including second‑seating of Individual Calendar Hearings and significant Master Calendar hearings
Preparation of annual performance evaluations
Presentation of in‑office training sessions
Supervision of other staff, such as paralegals and student interns, as delegated by the Director
Assisting with reporting and data collection
Responding to client, community, and staff concerns
Other duties as assigned
MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS 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; a minimum of five years of experience providing immigration representation; access to an automobile to travel to courts, clients, and detention centers that are not easily accessible by public transportation; and access to home internet sufficient to work remotely.
QUALIFICATIONS / SKILLS
Significant litigation experience as lead counsel in immigration removal proceedings
Commitment to working with a culturally diverse, low‑income population
Comprehensive knowledge of immigration law
Experience supervising and mentoring attorneys and other staff
Willingness and ability to work positively and collaboratively with both the Director and Supervisees
Excellent writing, analytical, and organizational skills
Excellent interpersonal communication skills
A demonstrated commitment to the principle of zealous advocacy in the representation of indigent persons
Ability and commitment to complete annual performance evaluations in a timely and comprehensive manner
Strong interpersonal and analytical skills
Ability to work in community and defense‑oriented capacity, both independently and collaboratively
Foreign language skills are desirable
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.
ALL APPLICANTS MUST APPLY DIRECTLY THROUGH THE CPCS iCIMS WEBSITE All applicants must apply directly through the CPCS iCIMS website. If you apply through Mass Careers and do not complete the CPCS iCIMS application, you will not be considered for this position. Please use the following link to apply (cut and paste into your browser if the embedded link does not work): Apply at https://careers-publiccounsel.icims.com/jobs/2961/supervising-attorney---immigration-impact-unit/job
#J-18808-Ljbffr