Internship - Mental Health Litigation Division Brockton - Fall 2026

Mental Health Litigation Division Overview

The Mental Health Litigation Division provides individuals with attorneys for Civil Commitment proceedings in the District and Superior Courts and provides attorneys for appointment by the Probate and Family Courts to represent persons in Guardianships and Substituted Judgment proceedings, including cases involving Conservatorship, Elder Abuse, the Validation of Health Care Proxies, Nursing Home Admission and Do Not Resuscitate orders. Civil Commitments are handled by both staff and private attorneys, while most cases in the Probate Court are handled by private panel attorneys.

All our attorneys receive training in issues relating to mental health and the statutory and constitutional rights of our clients. The Mental Health Litigation Division offers interns a variety of experiences and assignments under the supervision of highly experienced attorneys.

Responsibilities

• Mental Health Commitment Defense Units
  Interns and law coop students who have completed their 2L year and are or can be 3:03 certified assist attorneys with 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.
• 1Ls are welcome to intern with the commitment defense offices to assist with client calls, reviewing medical records and legal research.
• Interns in MHLD commitment offices will:
• Shadow several attorneys during their internship,
• Develop a working understanding of G.L. c. 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.

Qualifications

• 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 to work remotely.

Application Information

• Submit (1) Resume, (2) Personal Mission Statement (one page detailing your interest in the internship, your personal qualities and background, and what draws you to this work, and (3) Writing Sample.

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.