Job Description

Legislative Policy Counsel - Office of the General Counsel

Join the Committee for Public Counsel Services, a public defender agency in Massachusetts, as a Legislative Policy Counsel. The role works with the General Counsel to represent and advocate for the Agency before the Legislature and the Executive Branch.

Overview

The Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) is the state agency that provides attorney representation for individuals who cannot afford to retain counsel. CPCS represents clients across criminal, family, guardianship, mental health, sexual offense, and postconviction cases, among others.

Our Values

Accountability, Respect, Excellence.

Diversity & Inclusion Mission Statement

CPCS is committed to protecting the fundamental constitutional and human rights of our clients through zealous advocacy, communityoriented defense, and the fullness of excellent legal representation. CPCS embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion as core values and maintains a respectful and equitable work climate.

Position Overview

The Office of the General Counsel provides legal counsel to the Agency and advocates before the Legislature and Executive Branch. The Legislative Policy Counsel assists the General Counsels team in promoting laws and regulations that align with positive life outcomes for CPCS clients. Responsibilities include building relationships, researching and tracking legislation, presenting testimony, generating policy memorandums, and drafting legislation.

Qualifications

• Eligible to practice law in Massachusetts or eligible for limited Massachusetts practice under Supreme Judicial Court Rule3:04.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in state government or related field with experience working with the Massachusetts state legislature.
• Access to a personal computer with home internet access sufficient to work remotely.
• Knowledge of the legislative process and media relations.
• Strong leadership skills and qualities.
• Significant public sector experience, including public policy and budget advocacy.
• Understand and embrace zealous advocacy for indigent persons.
• Strong communication, analytical, interpersonal, negotiation, and decisionmaking skills.
• Ability to work with courts, state administrators and agencies, and legislators.
• Experience working with organizations providing legal services to indigent persons.
• Ability to speak publicly and write speeches and presentations for others.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain relationships with legal and other associations to promote the welfare of CPCS clients.
• Research, draft, and track legislation relevant to the provision of legal services and the laws that affect our clients.
• Advocate for the interests of the agency and its clients to the Executive Branch, the Legislature, the Judiciary, and advocacy groups.
• Generate policy memorandums for distribution to policy makers and the general public.
• Assist the General Counsel in representing and advocating on behalf of the agency before legislative and executive branches.
• Draft, file, and analyze legislation that affects the rights of clients and agency operations.
• Present written and oral testimony before legislative committees, coalition meetings, and conferences.
• Provide periodic reports to the General Counsel and Chief Counsel to be presented at the CPCS governing board.
• Establish and maintain a resources bank.
• Other duties as assigned.

Position Status

This position will remain open until filled.

EEO Statement

The Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, sex, disability, religion, age, veteran or military status, genetic information, gender identity, or sexual orientation as required by 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 who have questions about equal employment opportunity or who need reasonable accommodations can contact the Chief Human Resources Officer, Sandra DeBow-Huang, at sdebow@publiccounsel.net.

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