Applying to the Program

 

 

 

 

Current Panel Members: click here for information about the new reapplication process

Qualified attorneys may apply to receive contracts to represent indigent defendants in Suffolk County. To apply for admission to the SLJ panel of attorneys, please review all information outlined below before contacting us.  

 

 

Requirements and Timeline

     

     To qualify for consideration, applicants must meet the following requirements: 

  • be members in good standing of the Massachusetts bar, 

  • maintain an office within ready accessibility to subway lines near the courts in which they accept appointments,

  • complete certification requirements through the Committee for Public Counsel Services, and 

  • have ability in litigation, criminal law, and procedure.

   Attorneys admitted to the bar advocate panel are eligible to provide court-appointed representation to indigent clients in Suffolk County.  Effective in 2010, attorneys admitted to the panel will be offered three-year contracts for the provision of these services.  Applications are due on March 1 of each year for attorneys seeking contracts for the three-year period beginning on July 1 of that year.  Any applications received after March 1 will be considered for three-year contracts to begin in July of the following year.  

 

 Upcoming deadlines: 

We are no longer accepting applications for the 2010-2013 contract period.

 

 

Certification Procedures

 

     In addition to receiving admission to a county program, attorneys performing bar advocate work must be certified to accept appointments through the Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS).  Most attorneys are required to complete a training entitled “Zealous Advocacy in the District and Juvenile Courts”.  This is a multiple-day course offered several times per year by CPCS and Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education.  See the CPCS Training Calendar for information on upcoming Zealous Advocacy trainings.  To enroll in the training, attorneys first must be admitted to a county bar advocate program such as Suffolk Lawyers for Justice. 

     Attorneys with extensive experience practicing criminal law may apply to CPCS for a waiver of the training requirement.  Please note that previous work as a bar advocate does not guarantee a waiver or exempt reapplicants from the training requirement.    

 

 

New Applicant Instructions

 

The application to receive a contract for criminal case assignments in the upcoming term (July 1, 2011 - June 30, 2014) is not yet available.  Please check back after January 1, 2011, when applications will be made available online.
     All attorneys should review the CPCS Assigned Counsel Manual before applying.  Attorneys who have not been certified to accept appointments through the Committee for Public  Counsel Services must also complete a CPCS Training Application if they have not received training requirement waivers.  SLJ applicants who are certified bar advocates currently working on another county's panel are not required to submit the training application.  

 

 

Renewal Applicants

 

     Attorneys who have been on our panel previously are welcome to reapply for consideration on the regular application cycle.  Please indicate by cover letter whether you have been an active member of any Massachusetts bar advocate program within the past three years.  While past experience in SLJ or another county program is helpful, it does not ensure admission.

 

 

Selection Criteria

 

     The admission process is highly competitive.  All applicants are reviewed by committees of board and staff members, who select candidates based on the following criteria:

  • Criminal or delinquency trial experience

  • Languages spoken

  • Contribution to panel diversity

  • Academic background

  • Possession of related skills

  • Writing skills

  • Demonstrated commitment to indigent defense or other indigent services

Suffolk Lawyers for Justice, Inc.         101 Tremont Street, Suite 600, Boston, MA 02108          Tel. 617-348-0088           Fax. 617-348-0099