Mental Health Litigation Intern

Job Description

About Company

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 law. This includes representation in a wide range of legal matters such as criminal, delinquency, family regulation, guardianship, mental health, sexually dangerous person, and sex offender registry cases, as well as related appeals and post-conviction proceedings.

CPCS Values:
The agency operates under core values encapsulated by the acronym CARE:
• Courage
• Accountability
• Respect
• Excellence

Diversity and Inclusion Mission Statement:
CPCS is deeply committed to protecting the fundamental constitutional and human rights of its clients through zealous advocacy and community-oriented defense. A cornerstone of their mission is to build and maintain strong professional relationships, accepting, listening to, and respecting the diverse circumstances of each client. To achieve this, CPCS embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion as core values, striving to:
1. Ensure management and staff represent a broad range of human differences and experiences.
2. Provide a respectful and supportive work climate.
3. Promote the dignity and well-being of all staff members.
CPCS acknowledges that its diverse client base, encompassing various cultural dimensions including race, ethnicity, gender and/or sexual orientation identities, abilities, and limited English proficiency, necessitates a culturally competent staff.

Mental Health Litigation Division (MHLD) Overview:
The MHLD is a specialized division within CPCS dedicated to providing legal representation for individuals in Civil Commitment proceedings in District and Superior Courts, and for persons in Guardianships and Substituted Judgment proceedings (including Conservatorship, Elder Abuse, Health Care Proxies, Nursing Home Admission, and Do Not Resuscitate orders) appointed by the Probate and Family Courts. While Civil Commitments are handled by both staff and private attorneys, most Probate Court cases are managed by private panel attorneys.

MHLD operates staff offices in Brockton, Roxbury, Northampton, and Worcester, alongside a Trial Support and Oversight unit and a Training department located in Boston. All MHLD attorneys receive specialized training in mental health law and client rights. The MHLD emphasizes a commitment to standing with clients and the community in the fight for justice, providing zealous advocacy, community-oriented defense, and protection of constitutional rights. The division’s staff is diverse, reflecting various backgrounds, experiences, abilities, and perspectives, which they believe enhances their service to clients. MHLD strongly encourages individuals from non-traditional backgrounds, historically marginalized, or underrepresented groups to apply for internships.

About the Job: Spring 2026 Internship Positions

Overview:
The Mental Health Litigation Division of CPCS is offering unpaid internship positions for Spring 2026. Opportunities are available in their Civil Commitment trial offices in Brockton, Northampton, Roxbury, and Worcester, as well as in the Trial Support and Oversight unit in Boston. The division welcomes law students at various stages of their legal education, with or without SJC Rule 3:03 Certification. The internship focuses on fighting for equal justice and human dignity, zealously advocating for individual rights, and promoting just public policy.

Qualifications:

Minimum Requirements:
• A demonstrated commitment to the principle of zealous advocacy, community-oriented defense, and the protection of fundamental constitutional and human rights.
• Access to reliable transportation (public or private) for travel to courts and hospitals.
• A personal computer with home internet access sufficient for remote work.

Responsibilities (Detailed by Unit):

1. Mental Health Commitment Defense Units (Brockton, Northampton, Worcester):
These offices primarily seek 2L students who have completed their second year of law school and are, or can become, SJC Rule 3:03 certified. However, 1L students are also welcome to intern in these offices for specific supporting roles.

For 2L+/3:03 Certified Interns:
• 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 1L Interns:
• Assist with client calls.
• Review medical records.
• Conduct legal research.

Common Responsibilities for Interns in Commitment Defense Offices:
• Shadowing multiple attorneys.
• Developing a working understanding of G.L. c. 123 (Massachusetts civil commitment law), requirements for civil commitment, District and Municipal Court commitment proceedings, court-ordered medication proceedings, and rules of evidence in mental health cases.
• Visiting and conducting interviews with clients to obtain relevant information and ascertain their position on pending petitions.
• Working with independent medical experts, including psychiatrists, psychologists, social service experts, and other mental health professionals, as requested by staff attorneys.
• Assisting attorneys in preparing motions for funds, motions for in-person hearings, reviewing medical records, preparing direct examinations, cross-examination of Designated Forensic Psychologists and Psychiatrists, and closing arguments.
• Developing research on race and equity issues in civil commitments and assisting in developing a litigation guide for such issues.
• Conducting research into support for novel legal issues or arguments.

2. Mental Health Litigation Division Trial Support Unit (Boston):
This unit supports and oversees private panel attorneys handling civil commitments and probate court matters. It seeks law students who have completed their 1L year.

Responsibilities for Interns in the Trial Support Unit:
• Conducting legal research on systemic and specific issues affecting clients with mental disabilities.
• Drafting practice materials for attorneys representing clients in mental health matters.
• Handling intake line calls from patients and clients in mental health facilities, providing information about their legal status, assignment of counsel, or referral.
• Assisting the MHLD Training Unit attorneys in creating and editing training materials, and in developing and maintaining Mental Health online training and resource initiatives.

Application Information:
Interested applicants must submit:
1. Resume
2. Personal Mission Statement (one page detailing interest in the internship, personal qualities, background, and what draws the applicant to this work).
3. Writing Sample

Applicants should specify their preferred office locations for the Spring 2026 Internship Program. Applications received prior to November 24, 2025, will be given preference.

Internship Funding Opportunities:
This is an unpaid internship. However, CPCS is able to work with students to support the receipt of externship credit or assistance in securing outside funding.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement:
The Committee for Public Counsel Services 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 federal and state statutes and organizational policies. Applicants with questions about equal employment opportunity or those needing reasonable accommodations can contact Sandra DeBow-Huang, Interim Chief Human Resources Officer, at sdebow@publiccounsel.net.