Training Department - Forensic Support Attorney Rotation
Apply NowCompany: Committee for Public Counsel
Location: Boston, MA 02115
Description:
Overview
The Training Department is accepting applications for a Forensic Support Attorney in the Forensic Services Unit. The Forensic Services Unit at CPCS provides litigation support and training in forensic matters to all staff and private assigned counsel at CPCS and maintains an expert-vendor database. This position will be a rotation for three years and is considered a lateral transfer. The Forensic Services Unit is based in Boston but the Forensic Support Attorney rotation position will remain assigned to their current office location and will be expected to travel throughout the state as needed.
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.
CLIENT OVERVIEW
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.
DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW
The Training Department provides high quality training to all staff and private assigned counsel. The Training Department, led by the Training Chief, includes the Forensic Services Unit, as well as four practice area Training Units - Criminal Defense, Children and Family Law, Youth Advocacy, and Mental Health Litigation, The Training Department also leads multiple cross- practice area working groups chaired and staffed by Training Department personnel. In addition to providing substantive and skill-based training to attorneys, the Training Department ensures all other professional staff members are provided appropriate training in their areas of expertise.
POSITION OVERVIEW
The Training Department is seeking a Forensic Support Attorney for a three-year rotation in the Forensic Services Unit. The Forensic Services Unit provides litigation support and training in forensic matters to all staff and private assigned counsel at CPCS and maintains an expert-vendor database.
The Forensic Support Attorney will consult with, and provide litigation support to, private assigned counsel and staff attorneys in all practice areas. Litigation support may constitute direct assistance with experts and resources, co-counseling or strategic planning, or amicus support on appeal. This position will also assist in the development and execution of forensic and forensic related training. The Forensic Attorney will also assist in maintaining a centralized forensic expert and resource database.
The Forensic Support Attorney reports to the Forensic Services Director.
Qualifications
MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS
QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS
A successful candidate will have experience in some or all of the following areas:
An attorney interested in a rotation position should submit a resume, writing sample and a letter of interest which includes information about your experience in the aforementioned areas.
Eligibility for your application must be approved by your Managing Director pursuant to the Rotation Process Guidance.
Responsibilities
RESPONSIBILITIES
The duties of the Forensic Support Attorney include but are not limited to:
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
The Training Department is accepting applications for a Forensic Support Attorney in the Forensic Services Unit. The Forensic Services Unit at CPCS provides litigation support and training in forensic matters to all staff and private assigned counsel at CPCS and maintains an expert-vendor database. This position will be a rotation for three years and is considered a lateral transfer. The Forensic Services Unit is based in Boston but the Forensic Support Attorney rotation position will remain assigned to their current office location and will be expected to travel throughout the state as needed.
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.
CLIENT OVERVIEW
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.
DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW
The Training Department provides high quality training to all staff and private assigned counsel. The Training Department, led by the Training Chief, includes the Forensic Services Unit, as well as four practice area Training Units - Criminal Defense, Children and Family Law, Youth Advocacy, and Mental Health Litigation, The Training Department also leads multiple cross- practice area working groups chaired and staffed by Training Department personnel. In addition to providing substantive and skill-based training to attorneys, the Training Department ensures all other professional staff members are provided appropriate training in their areas of expertise.
POSITION OVERVIEW
The Training Department is seeking a Forensic Support Attorney for a three-year rotation in the Forensic Services Unit. The Forensic Services Unit provides litigation support and training in forensic matters to all staff and private assigned counsel at CPCS and maintains an expert-vendor database.
The Forensic Support Attorney will consult with, and provide litigation support to, private assigned counsel and staff attorneys in all practice areas. Litigation support may constitute direct assistance with experts and resources, co-counseling or strategic planning, or amicus support on appeal. This position will also assist in the development and execution of forensic and forensic related training. The Forensic Attorney will also assist in maintaining a centralized forensic expert and resource database.
The Forensic Support Attorney reports to the Forensic Services Director.
Qualifications
MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS
- Must be eligible to practice law in this jurisdiction as a member of the Massachusetts bar in good standing, or as an attorney in another jurisdiction who is eligible to engage in limited Massachusetts practice under Supreme Judicial Court Rule 3:04;
- Have a minimum of 3 years' full-time experience representing indigent defendants in either criminal, juvenile, CAFL, or civil commitment matters (4 years preferred);
- Access to an automobile in order to travel to offices, courts, and training locations that are not easily accessible by public transportation; and,
- Access to home internet access sufficient to work remotely and proficiency using zoom and/or other online platforms.
QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS
A successful candidate will have experience in some or all of the following areas:
- Have a demonstrated interest in, or experience with, forensic evidence or expert evidence (e.g., forensic psychology or psychiatry, chemistry, DNA, fingerprint)
- Experience litigating a wide variety of forensic science issues;
- Excellent analytic skills;
- Excellent written and oral communication skills;
- Ability to comprehend and explain scientific research;
- Ability to develop and deliver excellent training;
- Demonstrated management experience;
- Strong leadership skills;
- Commitment to serve racially, ethnically and culturally diverse low-income populations;
- Successful project management experience;
- Superb organization and flexibility skills, along with strong time management abilities to manage a variety of priorities; and,
- Strong interpersonal skills.
- Experience as a presenter or coach at training events (CPCS, MCLE or other programs) or at in-house office training sessions; and,
- Computer skills, web design, digital media or other technology related skills;
An attorney interested in a rotation position should submit a resume, writing sample and a letter of interest which includes information about your experience in the aforementioned areas.
Eligibility for your application must be approved by your Managing Director pursuant to the Rotation Process Guidance.
Responsibilities
RESPONSIBILITIES
The duties of the Forensic Support Attorney include but are not limited to:
- Providing private assigned counsel and CPCS staff attorneys in all practice areas litigation support on forensic related matters. Litigation support may constitute direct assistance with experts and resources, co-counseling or strategic planning, or amicus support on appeal;
- Identifying forensic training needs and assisting in the development and execution of forensic related trainings;
- Collecting and disseminating information on emerging forensic issues;
- Assisting in maintaining centralized forensic expert database and forensics web page;
- Assisting in identifying and evaluating expert providers, and foster vendor development;
- Assisting with the development and update of all forensic resource materials on platforms such as MyGideon;
- Collaborating cross-divisionally to provide exceptional and current trainings that support the zealous representation of clients across CPCS;
- May maintain a small criminal caseload; 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