Attorney in Charge - PDD Springfield

Overview

The Public Defender Division of the Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS), the Massachusetts public defender agency, is seeking to fill the Attorney-in-Charge position in the Springfield Office. The PDD provides legal representation and zealous advocacy to indigent clients who are charged with criminal offenses in both the District and Superior Courts.

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

C ourage

• 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, equityand 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

CPCSis 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 Springfield PDD office provides public defense services for Hampden County. Though one of the largest offices in the state, Springfield PDD is a close-knit office with a strong culture of teamwork and cooperation. Springfield is situated in the scenic Pioneer Valley with access to hiking, water sports, and a variety of outdoor activities. Further, Springfield is home to wide-range of activities and attractions including the Dr. Seuss museum, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, and the MGM Springfield Casino.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Attorney-in-Charge supervises and assists staff Trial Attorneys to ensure the zealous advocacy and effective representation of every assigned client entrusted to our legal care. The Attorney-in-Charge is responsible for managing the Supervising Staff Attorneys, along with all other defense team personnel assigned to the office, which is comprised of Social Service Advocates, Investigators, and highly trained Administrative Assistants.

The Attorney-in-Charge is expected to maintain an active, albeit reduced caseload, and it is also incumbent upon the Attorney-in-Charge to provide the same fullness and excellence of representation, no different than any other Trial Attorney, while consistently striking a balance between those responsibilities, and the required managerial duties and obligations of an Attorney-in-Charge.

Qualifications

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS

The following attributes are required for the position of Attorney-in-Charge :

QUALIFICATIONS / SKILLS

Candidates should submit a letter of interest, resume, and writing sample. The letter of interest should include a description of the candidate's trial, supervisory, and administrative or management experience, as well as a discussion of his / her priorities and vision for leading the office.

Responsibilities

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Attorney-in-Charge must be able to supervise and assist trial lawyers in the development of trial strategies, motions practice, and myriad other tasks that trial lawyers must undertake. The Attorney-in-Charge is also responsible for the supervision and development of non-attorney support staff in the office.

The administrative responsibilities include, but are not limited to :

In addition, the Attorney-in-Charge is responsible for :

The Attorney-in-Charge must also attend regular meetings with other office heads, Managing Directors, and the Deputy Chief Counsel to discuss management and policy issues. The Attorney-in-Charge is directly supervised by a Managing Director.

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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