Appeals Attorney - MHLD Appeals

Overview

The Committee for Public Counsel Services, the Massachusetts public defender agency, is seeking a full‑time Appeals Attorney for its Mental Health Litigation Division Appeals Unit. The position may be located in any CPCS office depending on the needs of the selected candidate, the Appeals Unit, and the availability of office space. The position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule.

The MHLD is seeking a full‑time Appeals Attorney to provide direct representation of mental health clients at the appellate level. Appeals Unit cases are primarily direct appeals in commitment and guardianship cases, but may also include motions for new trials, interlocutory appeals, and amicus briefs in selected cases.

• 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, as a law school graduate under Supreme Judicial Court Rule 3:03, or as an attorney licensed in another jurisdiction who is covered by Supreme Judicial Court Rule 3:04.
• Candidates must have at least one year of experience as an attorney.
• Appeals Attorney positions require travel; access to reliable transportation throughout the state is necessary.
• Access to home internet sufficient to work remotely.

• At least three years of appellate experience is preferred.
• A demonstrated commitment to the principle of zealous advocacy in the representation of individuals involved in the mental health system.
• A demonstrated commitment to working with a culturally diverse population of individuals involved in the mental health system.
• Ability to work in a defense‑oriented capacity, both independently and collaboratively.
• Very strong writing and oral advocacy skills.

To apply, candidates must submit a resume, a statement of interest, and two legal writing samples. The statement of interest must include:

• Why you are interested in the position.
• Significant trial, motion, and appellate experience, including any particularly noteworthy legal arguments that you have advanced on behalf of a client.
• Other relevant experience, including work related to mental health.
• How your experience would benefit our clients if you were offered the position.

• Interviewing clients.
• Conducting legal research.
• Collecting and reviewing documentary evidence.
• Preparing appellant’s and occasionally appellee’s briefs, as well as reply briefs.
• Handling appeals in the Appellate Division, Appeals Court, and the Supreme Judicial Court, including preparation for oral arguments via moot courts.
• Assisting other attorneys preparing for argument.
• Providing assistance to trial attorneys on issues related to appeals.
• Preparing case summaries of new mental health opinions.
• Assisting in training and development of practice aids for trial and appellate attorneys.
• Depending on experience level, may, on occasion, include editing assistance/mentoring of Mental Health Litigation Division staff trial attorneys who are representing clients on appeal.
• Drafting amicus briefs.
• Other duties as assigned.

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