Applying to the Program

 

 

 

 

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

     

  Suffolk Lawyers for Justice oversees a panel of private attorneys who are appointed by the courts to represent indigent defendants in the District and Juvenile Courts of Suffolk County.  Candidates whose applications are approved will be offered the opportunity to contract with SLJ for the provision of these services over a three-year period. Our application reviews are conducted on an annual basis.

 

   We are no longer accepting applications for the FY12-14 period (July 1, 2011 - June 30, 2013.)

Applications will be available shortly for the FY13-15 period, with a submission deadline expected to take place before the end of December 2011.  Please check back soon, as updates about the review timeline will be posted to our website.

 

 

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


     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.  Applicants who are certified bar advocates currently working with SLJ or 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 selection process is highly competitive.  Pursuant to CPCS policies, SLJ reviews applicants based on the following criteria:

a.      Criminal or delinquency trial experience as characterized by:
       1.      Positive relations with clients demonstrated by prompt and consistent communication outside of court, jail visits to incarcerated clients, and timely appearance for clients at all court proceedings
       2.      conduct of trials and litigation of substantive motions
       3.      pretrial preparation including witness interviews and appropriate use of investigators
       4.      legal research and skilled drafting and filing of motions and memoranda of law
       5.      practice consistent with the CPCS Performance Standards
b.      Languages spoken
c.      Contribution to panel diversity
d.      Demonstrated commitment to indigent defense or other indigent services
e.      Academic background and skills training indicating strong potential to provide high quality representation
f.      Possession of related skills
g.      Writing skills
h.      Ability to provide juvenile delinquency representation
i.      Efficiency in providing high quality legal services as evidenced by reasonable hourly billing
j.      file maintenance and record keeping consistent with CPCS standards and ethical obligations
k.      lack of substantiated complaints by assigned clients and lack of history of bar discipline, criminal involvement, or other misconduct that would indicate a risk to assigned clients
l.      commitment to developing and maintaining professional skills evidenced by participation in CLE and consultation with Resource Attorneys, Supervising attorneys, and other mentors
m.      consistency in timely meeting obligations to assigned counsel program and cooperation with CPCS published policies including billing policies.

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