The Massachusetts Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) is expanding its outreach to attorneys in neighboring states and is particularly interested in connecting with Vermont attorneys who are also licensed to practice in Massachusetts.
CPCS contracts with private attorneys throughout Massachusetts to provide representation to individuals who cannot afford counsel. For dual-licensed attorneys, CPCS private panel work offers a unique opportunity to supplement and diversify an existing practice, develop experience in new areas of law, and take on meaningful public defense work while maintaining the independence and flexibility of private practice.
Opportunities are available across a wide range of CPCS practice areas, including Criminal and Juvenile Defense; Children and Family Law (CAFL); the Alternative Commitment and Sex Offender Registry Unit; the Mental Health Litigation Division (MHLD); Criminal Post-Conviction; CAFL Appeals; Youth Advocacy Division Juvenile Appeals; and MHLD Appeals.
Attorneys can choose opportunities that align with their experience, interests, and schedules. Trial-level panels provide substantial courtroom, litigation, and client advocacy experience, while appellate and post-conviction work can be particularly well suited for attorneys looking to add CPCS assignments alongside an existing practice, with much of the research and writing completed independently and appellate arguments generally scheduled well in advance.
CPCS private panel attorneys also benefit from competitive hourly compensation, substantial billing opportunities, nationally recognized training, experienced mentors, continuing legal education, and ongoing support from a statewide network of attorneys and CPCS staff. Attorneys have the autonomy of building and managing their own practices without having to navigate unfamiliar areas of law entirely on their own.
For some attorneys, CPCS assignments provide an additional source of meaningful and reliable work that complements an established practice. Others build substantial practices around CPCS assignments and, as they gain experience, may become certified for additional panels and expand the types of cases they handle. The range of opportunities allows attorneys to develop new skills, grow their practices, and make a direct difference in the lives of clients throughout Massachusetts.
CPCS hopes to connect with experienced Vermont attorneys who already hold Massachusetts licenses but may not realize that these opportunities exist just across the border.
Attorneys interested in exploring whether CPCS private panel work might fit their practice are encouraged to contact Kara Humm, Esq., CPCS Private Attorney Outreach Partner, directly to discuss available panels, certification requirements, upcoming trainings, and which opportunities may best align with their background and interests.
Additional information about CPCS private attorney panels and current opportunities is available at www.publiccounsel.net.
Submitted by Kara A. Humm
Private Attorney Outreach Partner
Committee for Public Counsel Services
1822 North Main Street, Suite 205 | Fall River, MA 02720
Tel: (508) 484-5731 | Email: [email protected]
