Mental Health Legal Intern

Job Description

About company

Agency Overview
The Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) is the state agency in Massachusetts responsible for providing legal representation to individuals who cannot afford an attorney, as required by state or federal constitution or statute. This includes representation in various case types such as criminal, delinquency, youthful offender, family regulation, guardianship, mental health, sexually dangerous person, sex offender registry cases, and related appeals/post-conviction proceedings. CPCS serves a diverse client base, necessitating staff to be culturally competent and proficient in working with people of different races, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, abilities, and language proficiencies.

Diversity and Inclusion Mission Statement
CPCS is dedicated to protecting the fundamental constitutional and human rights of its assigned clients through zealous advocacy, community-oriented defense, and excellent legal representation. The organization prioritizes building strong professional relationships, accepting, listening to, and respecting the diverse circumstances of each client. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are core values, with a steadfast commitment to:
1. Ensuring CPCS management and staff represent a broad range of human differences and experience.
2. Providing a respectful work climate that supports success.
3. Promoting the dignity and well-being of all staff members.
CPCS leadership is responsible for ensuring equity, diversity, and inclusion, while ultimately, achieving these goals is the responsibility of every member of the CPCS community.

Values
• Courage
• Accountability
• Respect
• Excellence

Mental Health Litigation Division Overview
The Mental Health Litigation Division (MHLD) provides attorneys for individuals involved in Civil Commitment proceedings in District and Superior Courts. It also supplies attorneys appointed by the Probate and Family Courts for Guardianships and Substituted Judgment proceedings, which include cases related to Conservatorship, Elder Abuse, Validation of Health Care Proxies, Nursing Home Admission, and Do Not Resuscitate orders. Civil Commitments are handled by both staff and private attorneys, while Probate Court cases are predominantly managed by private panel attorneys. MHLD has staff offices in Brockton, Roxbury, Northampton, and Worcester, as well as attorneys in its trial support and oversight office and training department in Boston. All MHLD attorneys receive specialized training in mental health issues and clients’ statutory and constitutional rights. The MHLD offers interns diverse experiences and assignments under the supervision of highly experienced attorneys. The division is dedicated to zealous advocacy, community-oriented defense, and the protection of fundamental constitutional and human rights, standing with clients and the community in the fight for justice. MHLD staff represents a diverse group of individuals from various backgrounds, experiences, abilities, and perspectives, which enhances their ability to serve clients effectively. The internship program aims to hire, develop, and retain talented individuals from all backgrounds, strongly encouraging applications from non-traditional backgrounds, historically marginalized, or underrepresented groups.

EEO Statement
The Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) is an equal opportunity employer. It prohibits discrimination based on race, color, national origin, ethnicity, sex, disability, religion, age, veteran or military status, genetic information, gender identity, or sexual orientation, in compliance with 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 needing reasonable accommodations or with questions about equal employment opportunity can contact the Interim Chief Human Resources Officer, Sandra DeBow-Huang, at sdebow@publiccounsel.net.

Job description, detailed

Overview
The Mental Health Litigation Division (MHLD) of CPCS is offering unpaid internship positions for Spring 2026. These opportunities are available in its Civil Commitment trial offices located in Brockton, Northampton, Roxbury, and Worcester, as well as in its Trial Support and Oversight unit based in Boston. The division is interested in law students, both with and without SJC Rule 3:03 Certification. The core mission is to fight for equal justice and human dignity by supporting clients in achieving their legal and life goals, zealously advocating for individual rights, and promoting just public policy.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements
• Demonstrated commitment to the principle of zealous advocacy, community-oriented defense, and the protection of fundamental constitutional and human rights.

Access To
• Reliable transportation or public transportation to travel to courts and hospitals.
• A personal computer with home internet access sufficient for remote work.

Application Information
• Interested applicants must submit:
1. Resume
2. Personal Mission Statement (one page, detailing interest in the internship, personal qualities and background, and what draws the applicant to this work).
3. Writing Sample.
• Applicants should specify their preferred office locations for the Fall 2025 Internship Program.
• Applications received prior to November 24, 2025, will be given preference.

Internship Funding Opportunities
• This is an unpaid internship. However, CPCS can collaborate with students to support them in receiving externship credit or outside funding.

Responsibilities

Mental Health Commitment Defense Units
(Brockton, Northampton, and Worcester offices)
• For students who have completed their 2L year and are or can be 3:03 certified: Assist attorneys with the representation of citizens facing involuntary civil commitment to mental health facilities and involuntary medical treatment for mental illness, including the administration of anti-psychotic medications.
• For 1Ls: Welcome to intern to assist with client calls, reviewing medical records, and legal research.
• General Responsibilities for Interns:
• Shadow several attorneys during their internship.
• Develop a working understanding of G.L. c. 123 (Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 123) and the requirements for civil commitment, District and Municipal Court commitment proceedings, court-ordered medication proceedings, and the rules of evidence as applied in mental health cases.
• Visit clients and conduct interviews to obtain relevant information and ascertain the client’s position on their pending petition(s).
• Work with independent medical experts, including psychiatrists, psychologists, social service experts, and other mental health professionals, as requested by staff attorneys.
• Work with attorneys to prepare motions for funds, motions for in-person hearings, review medical records, direct examinations, cross-examination of Designated Forensic Psychologists and Psychiatrists, and closing arguments.
• Develop research on race and equity issues in civil commitments and assist in developing a litigation guide for such issues.
• Conduct research into support for novel issues or arguments.

Mental Health Litigation Division Trial Support Unit
(Boston office)
• For law students who have completed their 1L year:
• Conduct legal research on systemic and specific issues affecting clients with mental disabilities.
• Draft practice materials for attorneys representing clients in mental health matters.
• Handle intake line calls from patients and clients in mental health facilities, providing information about their legal status, assignment of counsel, or referral.
• Assist the MHLD Training Unit attorneys in creating and editing training materials, and developing and maintaining Mental Health online training and resource initiatives.