Staff Attorney - Immigration Impact Unit

About the Role

The Immigration Impact Unit (IIU) of the Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS), Massachusetts’ public defender agency, is hiring a Staff Attorney as part of the Massachusetts Access to Counsel Initiative (MACI). This position will focus on representing individuals with connections to the criminal legal system in removal and bond proceedings before the Immigration Court, the Board of Immigration Appeals, related proceedings before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and, when appropriate, in Federal Court. The role is funded through a combination of private and MACI program funding, with approximately 50% of the attorney’s time dedicated to representing individuals otherwise ineligible for MACI’s services and the remaining 50% devoted to MACI-eligible clients. Funding is contingent on annual grants and is not guaranteed beyond the current grant period.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality, client-centered representation for detained and non-detained noncitizens in removal proceedings in immigration courts, before the Board of Immigration Appeals, and in Federal Court;
• Represent non-detained clients released on bond;
• Engage in affirmative litigation;
• Work collaboratively with other organizations, pro bono lawyers, and partners;
• Maintain a full caseload of clients;
• Maintain, organize, and update case files and case management databases;
• Participate in ongoing training provided through MACI;
• Attend regularly scheduled MACI team meetings to discuss individual cases, systemic concerns, and other topics as determined by supervisors;
• Participate in regular supervision meetings;
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Must be eligible to practice law either as a member of the Massachusetts bar in good standing or as a member in good standing of the bar of another jurisdiction and qualified to practice federal immigration law;
• Access to an automobile for travel to courts, clients, and detention centers not easily accessible by public transportation;
• Access to home internet sufficient for remote work;
• Commitment to working with a culturally diverse, low-income population;
• Demonstrated commitment to zealous advocacy in the representation of indigent persons;
• Relevant clinical program, internship, or work experience strongly preferred;
• Strong case management, legal research, and legal writing skills;
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively, managing a challenging area of practice;
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative and work under pressure;
• Interpersonal and communication skills that foster healthy and productive working relationships;
• High regard for confidentiality, integrity, and respect;
• Proficiency in a language other than English preferred, with strong preference for Spanish, Haitian Creole, and Portuguese.

About the Organization

CPCS is the state agency in Massachusetts responsible for providing legal representation to individuals who cannot afford an attorney when constitutionally or statutorily required. The agency handles cases in criminal, delinquency, youthful offender, family regulation, guardianship, mental health, sexually dangerous person, and sex offender registry matters, as well as appeals and post-conviction proceedings. The clients represented are diverse across cultural, racial, ethnic, gender, sexual orientation, and linguistic backgrounds, requiring staff to be culturally competent and inclusive.

The Massachusetts Access to Counsel Initiative (MACI) is a new legal services program within the IIU, embracing public defense and universal representation principles to provide zealous, holistic, and client-centered representation to individuals in removal proceedings, both detained and non-detained. MACI aims to set practice standards and increase capacity for removal defense representation in Massachusetts.

CPCS is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, ensuring its workforce reflects a broad range of human differences and experiences, fostering a respectful and supportive work environment, and promoting the dignity and well-being of all staff.