Fall 2025 Internship
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Job Description
About the Company
The Committee for Public Counsel Services (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, 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. CPCS is committed to protecting the fundamental constitutional and human rights of its assigned clients through zealous advocacy, community-oriented defense, and excellent legal representation. CPCS embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion as core values.
Job Description
The Children and Family Law Division (CAFL) Hyannis Office of CPCS is seeking applicants for Fall 2025 internship positions. Interns will assist lawyers and work closely with social workers to represent children and parents in cases in which the Department of Children and Families (DCF) removes children from their homes because of claims of neglect or abuse. This unit also provides lawyers to children and parents in child requiring assistance (CRA) cases, as well as contested adoptions, guardianship of minor proceedings, and sua sponte custody proceedings in the Probate and Family Court.
Responsibilities
Interns will work directly with attorneys, investigators, and social service advocates on the following:
• Significant client contact through client interviews and home/placement visits;
• Case investigation to assist with trial preparation;
• Service advocacy on behalf of clients;
• Negotiation with opposing counsel;
• Legal research and writing in preparation for motion argument, custody hearings and termination of parental rights trials, or on novel legal issues before the Court;
• Reviewing pre-trial discovery and Department of Children and Families (DCF) case files;
• Attendance of and participation in education-related matters on behalf of clients, such as suspension hearings and IEP meetings; and,
• Appearances in Juvenile Court on behalf of Child Requiring Assistance clients, if certified;
Interns must agree to keep confidential all information involving client representation, and the work they perform on behalf of our clients.
Qualifications
Interested candidates should have a demonstrated commitment to the principle of zealous advocacy, community-oriented defense, and the protection of fundamental constitutional and human rights.
Candidates Must Also
• Have access to reliable transportation in order to travel to courts, clients, and investigation locations that are not easily accessible by public transportation; and,
• Have access to a personal computer with home internet access sufficient to work remotely
Application Information
Interested applicants should submit (1) Resume, (2) Personal Mission Statement (no more than two pages) detailing your interest in the internship, your personal qualities and background, and what draws you to this work, and (3) Writing Sample.
