Attorneys interested in become certified to accept court appointed Children & Family as well as Criminal cases can find out more about upcoming training and certification opportunities.
Jan. 8! Info Session for CPCS Children and Family Law Panel Training: January 28th – March 17th
Register here for an informational session on the upcoming training for the Children and Family Law (“CAFL”) panel of the Committee for Public Services (“CPCS”). CAFL attorneys work as private attorney compensated by CPCS and take on cases involving state intervention in families. Massachusetts courts, especially in Western Massachusetts, are experiencing a severe shortage of attorneys to handle this crucially important work. All indigent parents and children who are facing family separation due to state intervention are entitled to counsel under the Massachusetts constitution. Consequently, the lack of counsel creates a constitutional crisis.
CAFL attorneys do important social justice work and obtain valuable trial experience as panel members. CAFL matches new attorneys with a mentor to facilitate entry into this important practice. Members of the Massachusetts bar, as well as those who be joining the bar in January, are welcome to apply for the upcoming training. The training will take place remotely between January 28 and March 17, 2021. Find out more about applying here.
Apply by Jan. 9! Zealous Advocacy in the District Courts: February 26th – April 2nd
Hampden County Lawyers for Justice, Inc. is accepting applications for any and all attorneys interested in becoming certified to accept court appointed criminal cases for individuals who cannot afford to retain counsel in the District, Juvenile and Superior Courts in Hampden County. Successful applicants will be granted a spot in the “Zealous Advocacy in the District Courts” virtual training program to be held beginning February 26, 2021, through April 2, 2021. The application deadline is January 19, 2021. For more information, or to apply, please contact Program Administrator, Sarah Pegus at (413) 732-7110 or via email at hampdenba@hclji.org.
