Deputy Chief Counsel (Children and Family Law Division)
Management Information Exchange
Boston, MA
Permanent
Full-time
1 month ago
Description:The Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS), the Massachusetts public defender agency, is seeking a dynamic experienced leader to serve as Deputy Chief Counsel of the Children and Family Law Division. The Deputy Chief Counsel must have the talent, vision, and perseverance to lead a dedicated, experienced, and skilled group of attorneys, social workers, administrative professionals, and peer advocates in providing ever-improving, high-quality advocacy to clients and engaging with client communities. The Deputy Chief Counsel will also lead the development and advancement of the division's policy priorities to transform the racism-laden family regulation system - one that regularly traumatizes children, families, and whole communities - into a system that provide supports and services to help them thrive.The Children and Family Law Division (CAFL) of CPCS provides children, young adults, and indigent parents zealous legal representation in a range of civil matters involving families. These include child neglect and abuse cases (referred to in Massachusetts as care and protection or C&P cases); termination of parental rights cases; status offense (child requiring assistance) matters, guardianship-of-a-minor cases, and proceedings for certain minors to obtain judicial consent for an abortion. We provide this representation through a diverse community of public defenders. Our multidisciplinary legal teams defend families against unwarranted governmental interference and protect the constitutional and statutory rights of children, young adults, and parents. CAFL provides leadership, training, and support to staff members and private attorneys throughout Massachusetts.CAFL staff represent clients in 13 multidisciplinary litigation offices, two of which are part of the division's new Family Justice Advocates firm, which handles conflicts matters. The other 11 are part of CPCS's larger “Public Division” firm (which includes public defenders advocating for clients in other right-to-counsel matters). Most of CAFL's work is handled by about 900 private attorneys whom CPCS trains and certifies as eligible to accept assignments and who are supported and overseen by our trial and appellate panel support units. Both private attorneys and staff are also supported by the CAFL Training Unit, which is part of CPCS's Training Department.The CAFL Deputy Chief Counsel reports to the Chief Counsel and is a member of the CPCS Senior Management Team, which develops and implements agency fiscal, operational, human resource, IT, and legislative policies.The Deputy Chief's duties include, but are not limited to:· Supervising the CAFL Managing Directors, Panel Directors, Directors of Social Work, and an Administrative Assistant and providing direction to other members of the CAFL leadership team to promote a culture of courage, accountability, respect, and excellence;· Overseeing approximately 150 CAFL staff members and all aspects of the Division's operations through managerial supervision, development and implementation of policies, and allocation of financial and other resources;· Overseeing the certification, recertification, and (in partnership with the CPCS Training Chief) training of private attorneys in family regulation proceedings in all courts of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts;· Working with the General Counsel on legislative and policy advocacy, reviewing pending legislation, drafting bills, and testifying on proposed legislation before state legislative committees;· Connecting with the national community of public defenders and other experts in family regulation, human rights, and social justice to exchange ideas and resources;and, other duties as assigned by the Chief Counsel.COMPENSATIONCPCS offers a competitive compensation, benefits, and pension package; a diverse and inclusive culture; colleagues and co-workers who are committed to and passionate about their work; and the opportunity to serve. Salary Range: $163,055 - $181,055, commensurate with experience.Requirements:MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS
Be a member in good standing of the Massachusetts bar, or be licensed in another jurisdiction and eligible to practice in Massachusetts under Supreme Judicial Court Rule 3:04;
Have at least ten (10) years of litigation experience, five (5) years of which must be in the practice of family regulation law;
Have at least five (5) years of management experience, including supervision of legal and support staff;
Access to an automobile in order to travel to CAFL offices, courts, and other locations that are not easily accessible by public transportation; and,
Access to a personal computer with home internet access sufficient to work remotely.
To Apply:APPLICATION INFORMATIONCandidates should submit a résumé, writing sample, and statement of interest.The position will be posted until filled; however preference will be given to candidates who apply prior to February 26, 2023.Application process: Candidates should submit a résumé, writing sample, and statement of interest. To apply and review the full position description, please go to the following link:
