Internship - Fall 2024 - Public Defender Division - Malden

Overview

The Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) Malden PDD office is currently seeking students for our Fall 2024 internship positions.

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, child welfare, 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.

POSITION OVERVIEW

Student legal interns are an integral part of our office and work closely with our team of dedicated attorneys, social service advocates, and investigators. Interns qualified to appear in court under SJC Rule 3:03 will represent clients at arraignments, bail appeals, and pretrial motions, all under the close supervision of experienced attorneys. Out-of-court work includes legal research and writing, case investigation, client meetings, and assisting attorneys with the preparation of trials. Interns are also encouraged to attend court as often as they would like to observe.

An internship in this office includes working closely with a group of experienced, dedicated, and passionate attorneys, all of whom are committed to helping to prepare interns to be excellent public defenders. Our attorneys are always grateful for intern assistance and input, and recognize that our interns' work can be an integral part of a successful defense for our clients. All interns begin their internship by participating in training focused on client advocacy skills and Massachusetts criminal practice. Interns are also welcome to attend all office trainings and brainstorm sessions.

We are currently working in-person, and interns will be able and expected to work on-site at our office and/or our courts most days. Our office and all of our courts are easily accessible via public transportation, so interns are not required to have access to a car.

Qualifications

Helpful qualifications:

• Course work in evidence, criminal law, criminal procedure, constitutional law, critical legal theory, and/or trial advocacy

• Experience working with low-income clients, people of color, immigrants, LGBTQ people, and other historically oppressed groups

• Experience working with clients with mental illnesses and substance abuse disorders

• Ability to speak a foreign language

In order to apply, please submit a resume, cover letter, writing sample, and transcript.

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. Please address the cover letter to attorney Brian Pilchik.

Responsibilities

Interns work directly with attorneys, investigators, and social service advocates on the following:

• Representing clients at arraignment and arguing for their release from imprisonment (if 3:03 certified)

• Representing clients at pretrial hearings, including hearings on motions to dismiss (if 3:03 certified)

• Meeting with and interviewing clients in the office and at various prisons, jails and hospitals

• Conducting legal research

• Drafting pretrial motions and legal memoranda

• Assisting attorneys to prepare for motions and trials

• Investigating cases, including visiting the locations of alleged offenses and interviewing witnesses

The Malden Office is currently seeking law students for internship positions for Fall 2024. Interns must be able to commit at least 15 hours per week.

All students who will have completed their first year of law school by the start of their internship are eligible to apply. This internship is best suited to students who enjoy legal research and writing, whose coursework demonstrates an interest in criminal law, a commitment to social and racial justice, and who share our commitment to providing all of our clients with zealous representation.

Students who have successfully completed or are enrolled in an evidence or trial practice class, with the written approval by their dean, may represent clients under the supervision of a staff public defender in court per SJC Rule 3:03. Note that students who will not be eligible for 3:03 certification are also encouraged to apply!

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