Mental Health Awareness Training presented by Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers
2026-01-30 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
Mental Health Awareness Training presented by Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers.
Friday, January 30, 2026
2:00 PM 3:00 PM
WE INVITE ALL CPCS STAFF TO ATTEND THE MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS TRAINING SESSION PRESENTED BY LCL’S CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGISTS, DR. TRACEY MEYERS AND DR. SHAWN HEALY.
Employees will learn firsthand how to recognize some of the most common signs and symptoms of mental health challenges and burnout among themselves and their colleagues. In addition, LCL will cover topics such as substance misuse, cognitive decline, and life stressors. Resources will be provided to support employees through these challenges.
Register here.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact HR.

Get Schooled with EdLaw
2026-02-02 08:00 - 17:00
Please join the EdLaw Project on Monday, February 2, 2026, for the next session of Get Schooled with EdLaw: “My Client is in DCF Custody – What do I Need to Know About Education Law?” Come learn how being in DCF custody impacts your client’s education, along with advocacy tips to help your client navigate school stability, special education and school discipline issues while in custody. Register for this and upcoming sessions here.

POSTPONED Due to Weather: Beyond the Verdict: A Trial Attorney’s Guide to Post-Conviction Review
2026-02-02 09:00 - 17:00 | Worcester Training Center, 120 Front Street, Worcester, MA, 01608, United States
RESCHEDULED to June 25, 2026
POSTPONED Due to Weather
Description: Join us on February 2, 2026, at the CPCS Worcester Training Center, 120 Front Street, Worcester, MA 01608, for a full-day training program designed specifically for trial attorneys to better understand the interplay of trial and post-conviction advocacy. This program will demystify ineffective assistance of counsel claims by providing a clear, practical understanding of Rule 30 motions, the post-conviction process and the role of post-conviction counsel. Through plenary sessions, targeted breakouts, and practice-oriented panels, the training will clarify how post-conviction litigation unfolds, outline reasonable expectations for trial counsel, and offer concrete tools for documentation, investigation, and discovery. Participants will gain actionable insights to support informed decision-making at the trial stage, strengthen litigation practices, and better anticipate how trial work intersects with post-conviction review.
CLE credit will be available. Lunch will be provided. Space is limited; early registration is encouraged.

Appellate Panel Certification Training
2026-02-03 09:00 - 13:00, 2026-02-05 09:00 - 13:00
Appellate Panel Certification Training
Registration Fee: $250.00
More information to follow.

MHLD – Guardianship Certification Course
2026-02-03 10:00 - 15:00
MHLD – Guardianship Certification Course
Date: 2/3/2025
In-Person – Federal St.
10 AM – 3 PM
Details TBD

MHLD – Guardianship Certification Course
2026-02-06 13:00 - 16:00
MHLD – Guardianship Certification Course
Date: 2/6/2025
Remote Through Zoom
Details TBD

MHLD – Guardianship Certification Course
2026-02-10 13:00 - 16:00
MHLD – Guardianship Certification Course
Date: 2/10/2025
Remote Through Zoom
1 PM – 4 PM
Details TBD

MHLD – Guardianship Certification Course
2026-02-13 13:00 - 16:00
MHLD – Guardianship Certification Course
Date: 2/13/2025
Remote Through Zoom
1 PM – 4 PM
Details TBD

Active Listening Training: The Lost Art of Listening “Speak Less. Understand More”
2026-02-17 13:00 - 16:00
Active Listening Training: The Lost Art of Listening “Speak Less. Understand More.”
February 17th from 1:00 PM –4:00 PM on Zoom.
Join Regional Coordinators Hipolito Baez (Hampshire/Franklin Counties, Valerie Rust (Suffolk County) and Susan OLeary (Plymouth/Barnstable Counties) for a virtual training about how to be an active listener.
This training is worth 3.0 CLEs for Mental Health Litigation and MHLD Appeals
After the training you will be able to:
· Demonstrate active listening techniques—including paraphrasing, reflecting, reflecting feelings and asking follow up questions to improve understanding and reduce miscommunication;
· Identify common barriers to active listening (such as assumptions, distractions and emotional triggers) and apply strategies to overcome these barriers; and
· Practice and apply active listening in various scenarios, showing improved empathy, rapport-building and effective response skills.
Please register in advance here.

CPCS MHLD 2026 Commitment Bring Back
2026-02-20 09:30 - 12:30
CPCS MHLD 2026 Commitment Bring Back

THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED FROM JANUARY 30th, 20226

Attorneys gather to share insights and experiences in Civil Commitment cases, and hone trial skills to build community.

We are delighted to announce the return of the CPCS MHLD Civil Commitment Bring Back event. This exclusive occasion will provide an opportunity for collaborative discussion about the challenges, triumphs, and experiences encountered in our commitment cases as well as substantive learning and concrete trial skills development.
This unique gathering is open to all attorneys, but attorneys who have successfully completed the Civil Commitment Certification within the last five years will be given priority for attendance.
Please register at the link here. Your registration will also help our team choose what topics to cover inside of this training.
Location: CPCS 75 Federal St Office, 5th Floor, Conference Room A/B
This event counts for three (3) CLEs for MHLD Trial attorneys.

MHLD – Guardianship Certification Course
2026-02-24 10:00 - 15:00
MHLD – Guardianship Certification Course
Date: 2/24/2025
10 AM – 3 PM
Worcester Office
In-Person
Details TBD

Fair Hearings: Administrative Challenges to DCF Decisions
2026-02-24 13:00 - 14:00
Fair Hearings: Administrative Challenges to DCF Decisions

February 24, 2026
1:00-2:00pm
1 CAFL CLE
Presented by Megan Deeley, CAFL Litigation Support Attorney (mdeeley@publiccounsel.net)
Learn how to challenge clinical and administrative decisions by DCF with this overview of the fundamentals of Fair Hearings, including how to appeal adverse hearing decisions to superior court. Fair hearings are an important tool for any CAFL trial or pre-petition attorney that can lead to real, tangible results for parent, children, and young adult clients.
Registration link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/Jb32qApxTu69gPUVyTIMvg

Racial Justice Mentors Case Crunch
2026-02-26 13:00 - 14:00
The next Racial Justice Mentors Case Crunch will be February 26, 1:00-2:00pm.
Do you have a case where you are encountering Cultural Bias? Come talk about how to challenge these biases in and out of court.
Please send questions to the facilitators ahead of time if possible. Facilitator: Noor Kazmi noorkazmilaw@gmail.com. Approved for 1 CAFL CLE. Register Here

Common Objections and Where to Make Them
2026-02-26 16:30 - 17:30
What: “Common Objections and Where to Make Them”
When: Feb 26, 2026 04:30 PM
Description: Judge Susan McNeil of the Haverhill District will provide a refresher on common objections during commitment hearings and her views on when to make them. She will answer questions that are put in the chat during the meeting from participants. Judge McNeil was a litigator for many years prior to her becoming a judge. She has heard numerous commitment cases. Objectives: After attending this training and hearing a view from the bench, participants will be able to:

Identify how to be vigilant in preserving the record with the use of objections

Describe effective objections to make during commitment hearings.

Please register in advance at this link.
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/2mEKogHVRQak-rTC7JcBUg

MHLD – Guardianship Certification Course
2026-02-27 10:00 - 15:00
MHLD – Guardianship Certification Course
Date: 2/27/2025
10 AM – 3 PM
In-Person – Federal St.
Details TBD

Get Schooled with EdLaw
2026-03-02 15:00 - 17:00
Meeting Registration – Zoom

March Madness
2026-03-04 13:00 - 14:00
Session 1: The Basics in Finding, Retaining, and Drafting an Expert Witness Disclosure (Wednesday March 4, 2026, from 1-2pm)
Upcoming Sessions:
Session 2: Qualifying the Expert Witness (Tuesday March 10, 2026, from 1-2pm)
Session 3: Eliciting the Expert Opinion (Wednesday March 18, 2026, from 1-2pm)
Session 4: Challenging Experts and Techniques for Dealing with Difficult Experts on Cross Exam (Tuesday March 24, 2026, from 1-2pm)

YAD - Search, Seizure, & Statements in School
2026-03-04 13:30 - 15:00
Search, Seizure, & Statements in School
March 4, 2026
1:30 PM – 3:00 PM
Register Here
Remote Training Through Zoom

MHLD Racial Bias & Cultural Competency Working Group Meeting
2026-03-06 13:00 - 14:00
March 6, 2026
1:00 PM to 2:00 PM

Join us on the first Friday of every month for the MHLD Racial Bias/Cultural Competence Group.

We are MHLD practitioners of all stripes. We meet to further our goal of identifying bias and increasing our resources to address bias in all facets of our practice, whether in apprehension by police, in hospitals and treatment, or bias in court.
There are no CLEs for this event.

Register at this link.

MHLD – Guardianship Certification – Mock Trials
2026-03-09 09:00 - 17:00
MHLD – Guardianship Certification – Mock Trials
Date: 3/9/2026
Location: TBD
Details TBD

March Madness
2026-03-10 13:00 - 14:00
Session 2: Qualifying the Expert Witness (Tuesday March 10, 2026, from 1-2pm)
Upcoming Sessions:
Session 3: Eliciting the Expert Opinion (Wednesday March 18, 2026, from 1-2pm)
Session 4: Challenging Experts and Techniques for Dealing with Difficult Experts on Cross Exam (Tuesday March 24, 2026, from 1-2pm)

MHLD – Guardianship Certification – Mock Trials
2026-03-11 09:00 - 17:00
MHLD – Guardianship Certification – Mock Trials
Date: 3/11/2026
Location: TBD
Details TBD

CAFL Trial Panel Certification Training Orientation
2026-03-11 14:00 - 16:00
Full Schedule:

Wednesday, March 11, 2:00-4:00 orientation
Monday, March 16, 9:30-4:30 – in person
Thursday, March 19, 1:00-4:30 – zoom
Monday, March 23, 9:30-4:30 – in person
Thursday, March 26, 1:00-4:30 – zoom
Monday, March 30, 9:30-4:30 – in person
Thursday, April 2, 1:00-4:30 – zoom
Monday, April 6, 9:30-4:30 – in person
Monday, April 13, 9:30-4:30 – in person

April 28, 29, & 30, 8:45-5:00 – mock hearings in person

MHLD – Guardianship Certification – Mock Trials
2026-03-13 09:00 - 17:00
MHLD – Guardianship Certification – Mock Trials
Date: 3/13/2026
Location: TBD
Details TBD

MHLD – Guardianship Certification – Mock Trials
2026-03-16 09:00 - 17:00
MHLD – Guardianship Certification – Mock Trials
Date: 3/16/2026
Location: TBD
Details TBD

CAFL Trial Panel Certification Training
2026-03-16 09:30 - 16:30

March Madness
2026-03-18 13:00 - 14:00
Session 3: Eliciting the Expert Opinion (Wednesday March 18, 2026, from 1-2pm)
Upcoming Sessions:
Session 4: Challenging Experts and Techniques for Dealing with Difficult Experts on Cross Exam (Tuesday March 24, 2026, from 1-2pm)

Regulations Workshop
2026-03-18 13:00 - 15:30

CPCS MHLD Worcester County Regional Coordinator Quarterly Training and Meeting
2026-03-18 14:00 - 16:00
CPCS MHLD Worcester County Regional Coordinator Quarterly Training & Meeting presented by Toni Hall
March 18 @ 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Save the Date!
CPCS MHLD Worcester County Regional Coordinator Quarterly Training & Meeting presented by Toni Hall
2:00 – 3:00 pm Getting the most from your Social Service Experts for Mental Health Panel Attorneys with Olivia Dubois. (ZOOM)
By the end of this training, participants will be able to:

Identify and leverage the distinct roles and expertise of various social service experts, understanding how their contributions can strengthen legal arguments and client outcomes.
Formulate precise and effective questions for social service experts to elicit crucial information for case development while respecting professional boundaries and confidentiality.
Strategically integrate expert-provided information and testimony into legal pleadings, trial preparation, and negotiation to advocate more effectively for clients.

2 hours Worcester county CLE training credits
Register here!
