Paralegal - MHLD Appeals Unit

Overview

The Committee for Public Counsel Services, the Massachusetts public defender agency, is seeking a full-time Paralegal for its Mental Health Litigation Division Appeals Unit. This newly created position involves working closely with the Director of Mental Health Appeals to make case assignments to private panel attorneys, as well as communicating with clients while they are awaiting assignment of an attorney, drafting pleadings, conducting legal research, and assisting in developing trainings and resource materials.

The position will be located in the MHLD Brockton Office and is eligible for a hybrid work schedule.

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

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, as we dedicate ourselves to meeting their individual needs. 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.

The clients we represent are diverse across every context imaginable and bring many unique cultural dimensions to the matters we address. This reality creates a critical need for CPCS staff to be culturally competent and able to work well with people of different races, ethnicities, genders and/or sexual orientation identities, abilities, and limited English proficiency, among other protected characteristics.

OFFICE OVERVIEW

The cases handled by the Mental Health Litigation Division (MHLD) include involuntary civil commitments, forced treatment and guardianships. 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. The Appeals Unit also provides consultation to staff and private panel attorneys around the state, and often assists the agency with system-wide issues and challenges.

The Appeals Unit currently consists of a Director of Mental Health Appeals, an Oversight Counsel, two case handling Appeals Attorneys, and a Paralegal. The Appeals Unit provides support and oversight of MHLD Appeals Panel Attorneys as well as directly representing clients in MHLD appeals.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The MHLD Appeals Unit is seeking a full-time Paralegal to work closely with the Director of Mental Health Appeals to make case assignments to private panel attorneys, communicate with clients awaiting assignment of an attorney, draft pleadings, conduct legal research, and assist in developing trainings and resource materials.

This is a full-time (35 hours/week) position that will report to the Director of Appeals.

Qualifications

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS

Candidates must have:

• A Bachelor's degree or Paralegal certificate;
• Access to reliable transportation in order to travel to locations that are not easily accessible by public transportation; and,
• Access to home internet access sufficient to work remotely.

Substitution: Two years of paralegal experience may be substituted for the degree/certificate.

QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS

• Commitment to working with a culturally diverse, low-income population;
• A demonstrated commitment to the principle of zealous advocacy in the representation of individuals involved in the mental health system;
• Knowledge of and/or experience in mental health system or criminal law preferred;
• Experience interviewing clients and evaluating relevant information from clients and families;
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative and work under pressure;
• Detailed oriented and able to work on multiple projects (clients) under tight deadlines;
• Strong organizational skills;
• Ability to organize and prioritize caseloads, calendars and work assignments;
• Interpersonal and communication skills that enable healthy and productive working relationships;
• Ability to perform duties with the highest regard for confidentiality, integrity, and respect; and,
• Proficiency in language(s) other than English preferred.

Responsibilities

RESPONSIBILITIES

The duties of the Paralegal include, but are not limited to:

• Acting as primary client liaison to clients awaiting an appellate attorney;
• Drafting pleadings under attorney supervision;
• Performing legal research in support of direct appeals and amicus briefs;
• Interacting with court personnel concerning appeals;
• Assisting attorneys with preparation of briefs and presentation of oral arguments, including creating tables, record appendices and addenda;
• Assisting with the development of trainings and resource materials for attorneys;
• Creating content and updating the MHLD Appeals pages of the CPCS website
• Assisting staff and panel appellate attorneys in locating clients;
• Tracking and logging incoming appeals for assignment;
• Making appeals assignments to private panel attorneys;
• Special projects as assigned by the Director of Appeals; 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 ....