CPCS Website

CAFL's Preparing for Trial Training: Spring 2024
2024-06-10 13:00 - 16:30, 2024-06-05 14:00 - 16:00 UTC | Zoom
We are running our remote Preparing for Trial Training, formerly known as Trial Practice Training, Spring of 2024. The training will be a mix of live on-line sessions and substantial self-directed learning. You will spend much of the live sessions in a small group with faculty. The dates of the training are June 5, 2024, from 2 to 4 p.m., and June 10, 13, 17, 20, 2024, 1:00 to 4:30 p.m. The training is mandatory for all new CAFL attorneys.

20 minutes of LGBTQ (Zoom) - Mitigation - Raquel Calderon YAD Lowell
2024-06-10 13:00 - 13:20 | Zoom
20 minutes of LGBTQ (Zoom) – Mitigation – guest speaker to be announced
REGISTER HERE
See our flyer here for more information and CLE details:FLYER_Pride-in-Zealous-Client-Centered-Advocacy-with-Criminal-Defense-and-YAD-Trainers

CPCS Persuasive Practice in Superior Court
2024-06-10 09:00 - 17:00, 2024-05-23 09:00 - 17:00, 2024-05-22 09:00 - 17:00, 2024-05-21 09:00 - 17:00, 2024-05-20 09:00 - 17:00
Acceptance to this program by application only. Please see Application Announcement here:
UPDATED Superior Court Announcement 2024 PC

Mental Illness & Violence: Debunking the Myth
2024-06-07 13:00 - 15:00
2 credit MHLD CLE program
Training Topic: Mental Illness and Violence
Date & Time: Friday, June 7, 2024, 1:00pm to 3:00pm
Platform: Zoom
Meeting ID: 843 9912 6275
Passcode: [REDACTED]
Presented by:
Anna Lembo, Esq., Worcester county Regional Coordinator
Susan O’Leary, Norfolk Regional Coordinator
Advanced registration NOT required
Upon completion of this seminar, you will be able to:

Understand that violent behavior among individuals with serious mental illness is relatively uncommon
Identify specific symptoms associated with violent behavior for some individuals with serious mental illness
Understand that diagnoses alone cannot predict who may commit violence
Develop an effective approach to cross examining witnesses as to biases against people with mental illness are largely responsible for violent acts

Perfecting the Art of Telling Your Client's Story - Richard Jones
2024-06-06 15:00 - 16:00 | Zoom
This program qualifies for 1 CLE on the following CPCS Panels:
SORB/SDP, Criminal Defense, Adult Post Conviction, YAD, YAD Appeals, Mental Health, Mental Health Appeals, Parole, and CAFL
Presenter: Attorney Richard L. Jones has decades of experience as a trial attorney in the Wisconsin State Public Defenders Office. He has handled every case from disorderly conduct to homicide. He is currently on the team that focuses on sexually violent persons and homicide cases.
REGISTER HERE!

Images of Queer Movements: Respect our Existence or Expect our Resistance
2024-06-05 14:00 - 16:00 | CPCS Worcester, 120 Front Street, 3rd floor, Worcester, MA, 01608, United States
Join us for this in person event in the most central location we have, CPCS Worcester Office (120 Front St, 3rd fl, Worcester MA) about LGBTQ history in Massachusetts, – this interactive discussion will allow us to learn from each other about LGBTQ history, with a focus on Massachusetts and the criminal legal system. If you feel like it, feel free to wear your favorite work-appropriate pride shirt, pin, jewelry, etc.
**Note: CPCS affinity groups Queer Defenders and U.G.H. (“Unconventionally Gendered Humans”) invite LGBTQ and allied staff and private bar to Worcester’s new queer bar, Femme Bar after the work day is over on June 5 for some gathering and community.
2 CLE credit for attorneys on each of the following panels: Criminal Defense, Adult Post-Conviction, YAD, YAD Appeals, MH and MH Appeals, Parole, CAFL, SORB and SDP Panels
REGISTER HERE

See our flyer here for other events in this series:
FLYER_Pride-in-Zealous-Client-Centered-Advocacy-with-Criminal-Defense-and-YAD-Trainers

Social Law Library: Lawyer Well-Being Series - Prioritize Without Compromise
2024-06-05 12:00 - 13:00
This program is hosted by Social Law Library. Any questions or issues regarding this program should be directed there: msaporito@socialaw.com. This event is being listed for informational purposes only. CPCS staff cannot assist with, or solve, registration issues.
Social Law Library CLE program – Lawyer Well Being Series – Reprioritize Without Compromise – June 5, 2024
For more information including how to register, please visit:
The Lawyer Well-Being Series – Reprioritize Without Compromise (socialaw.com)
NOTE: 1 CLE credit for each webinar for attorneys on each of the following CPCS panels: CAFL (Trial and Appeals), YAD (Trial and Appeals), Adult Criminal Defense Trials, Adult Post-Conviction, Mental Health Litigation, MHLD Appeals, SORB and SDP Panels

Skill of the Quarter Series: Alternative Commitment & Registration Support Unit
2024-06-04 13:00 - 14:00 | Zoom
Join us on June 4, 2024, 1-2PM for a review of the Sex Offender Registry Board (SORB), the type of cases they send us, the process of cases, and more! All administrative staff members of CPCS are cordially invited and encouraged to attend.
Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0lce-hpz4sHddLkp5uaGyc7PxfUKu2I4sC#/registration

20 minutes of LGBTQ - Client Relationships - w/Sara Atalay
2024-06-03 15:00 - 15:20 | Zoom
This year, your trainers are planning pride celebrations based on celebrating the work of public defenders doing a fabulous zealous job of representing LGBTQ clients. We are trying out doing a series of mini-trainings (on Zoom) of 20 minutes or less where we talk about just one way to support LGBTQ clients.
Attend one or all of them – whether you identify as LGBTQ or don’t know what LGBTQ stands for, we would love to have you!
REGISTER HERE
*See Flyer Here for more details and CLE info:
FLYER_Pride-in-Zealous-Client-Centered-Advocacy-with-Criminal-Defense-and-YAD-Trainers

Workshop to Confront the Challenges & Create Concrete Strategies to Effectively Raise Race in Mental Health Litigation:
2024-06-03 13:00 - 16:00
Come join Dr. Jessica Isom, community psychiatrist, public speaker, medical educator and consultant for diversity, equity, inclusion and antiracism projects, and your staff, private counsel and clinical colleagues in an interactive workshop:

Describe how to talk to clients in distress about raising race
Identify and break down barriers that prevent you from raising race in your cases
Develop strategies with your experts to address critical points in the process
Educate the court about how racial bias impacts the decision making of experts and ultimate opinions reached

3 CLE credits for: MH Appeals & Trials
Register Here

CAFL Training Notice: Making Objections
2024-06-03 13:00 - 14:30 | Lowell Juvenile Court, 370 Jackson St., Lowell, MA, 01852, United States
Come hear from our justices, The Honorable Joanna Rodriguez and The Honorable Brian Frane, as they provide us with invaluable guidance on the subject of making objections followed by some interactive exercises with Attorneys Elizabeth Broderick and John Haroian.
Location: Courtroom 8, Lowell Juvenile Court (370 Jackson St., Lowell, MA 01852)
When: June 3, 2024, 1:00-2:30 PM
Lunch will be provided!
COST: FREE
This training qualifies for 1.5 CLEs.
Please RSVP to John Haroian at jdharoian@msn.com by May 29th.

MHLD RED (Race, Equity and Diversity) Talk
2024-05-31 12:00 - 13:00
THIS PROGRAM QUALIFIES FOR 1 CLE ON THE MHLD TRIAL PANEL and MHLD APPEALS PANEL
Drop-in Lunch & Learn to build on other recent race trainings and support you in your MHLD practice!
Bring your lunch and come join your colleagues on MHLD staff and panel to talk informally and brainstorm about raising race in our cases. Do you believe that your client’s mental health treatment, admission to a facility or petition for commitment/guardianship is being impacted by racial bias? During each session we will focus on a different topic arising in our litigation. Come talk about how to tell your client’s story, develop strategy, draft cross and direct examinations, move to admit relevant studies and articles and make effective arguments to the court. This is also a chance to case crunch your cases with your colleagues over lunch!
Register Here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0pc–gqDkpE9ch1NMVNT9vEkuDplRhRVYIhttps://us02web.zoom.us/j/89446862393?pwd=[REDACTED]

What is this Medication For?
2024-05-30 13:00 - 14:30 | Zoom
Youth Defenders practicing in Juvenile Court will gain an introductory understanding of the effects and side effects of medications commonly prescribed to the children they represent. They will also examine how implicit bias affects prescribers’ decisions and learn strategies for critically evaluating provider diagnoses and prescriptions and how to incorporate this information into their advocacy.
NOTE: 1.5 CLE credit for each webinar for attorneys on each of the following panels: YAD, CAFL (Trial and Appeals), SDP/SORB, and Mental Health.
Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUpf-6trjooGNItawQQky0hvqqPNDCYd2RZ

CPCS Appellate Brief Writing Workshop
2024-05-28 09:00 - 16:00

Understanding & Litigating the Harms of Child Removal Training (Part 2)
2024-05-23 14:00 - 16:00 | Zoom
Understanding & Litigating the Harms of Child Removal
Because There’s No Place Like Home
The involuntary separation of children from their parents is devastating for the whole family, inevitably causing distinct and long-term harms to the children and to their parents. This two-part training will offer a deeper dive into these harms and explore what we can do to improve outcomes for our clients.
Part 1: May 14, 2024, 2:00-4:00pm
Thousands of children are separated from their families every year in the name of “child welfare.” In this session, Professor Shanta Trivedi (author of “The Harm of Child Removal” and the forthcoming article “‘Am I Still a Parent?’ The Devastating Effects of Family Policing on Parents”) will examine the harms that children and parents experience in the family regulation system, and discuss strategies to help practitioners identify, prevent and/or mitigate these harms. You can learn more about Professor Trivedi here. Register here.
Part 2: May 23, 2024, 2:00-4:00pm
Custody decisions aren’t just about the parents and their conduct; the court also must consider the harm to the child from removal, family separation, and placement in the foster system. Our judges don’t always agree, though. In this session we will discuss the relevant legal requirements in Massachusetts, share practice tips, and introduce resources the working group has developed to help attorneys litigate the harms of removal. Register here.

This program is presented by The CAFL Harms of Removal Working Group. Each session is approved for 2 CAFL CLEs. Attendance at both sessions is encouraged but is not required.

NOTE: 4 CLE credit for each webinar for attorneys on each of the following panels: CAFL, CAFL Appeals

EVERYTHING MASSACHUSETTS ATTORNEYS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT RECENT ARRIVALS FROM THE BORDER
2024-05-22 16:00 - 18:00
Hosted by Social Law Library
EVERYTHING MASSACHUSETTS ATTORNEYS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT RECENT ARRIVALS FROM THE BORDER
Wednesday, May 22, 2024, 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. ET (Online Only)
Faculty:
Matt Cameron, Esq., Cameron Law Offices
Nicole Micheroni, Esq., Cameron Law Offices
CLE: 2 CAFL Trial & Appeals
Register here: EVERYTHING MASSACHUSETTS ATTORNEYS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT RECENT ARRIVALS FROM THE BORDER (socialaw.com)

Probate Court Guardianship and Private Adoption Training non-CAFL attorneys
2024-05-22 14:00 - 17:00, 2024-05-15 14:00 - 17:00 | Zoom
Schedule:
May 6, 4:00-5 :00 PM- Orientation
May 8, 15 and 22, 2024, 2:00 -5:00 PM
The Children and Family Law Division of the Committee for Public Counsel Services is seeking qualified attorneys to represent indigent parents, children and guardians in private guardianship of minor cases in the Probate and Family Court. Admission to the private guardianship panel is by application only and requires completion of the Probate Court guardianship certification training. All attorneys who accept CPCS assignments are required to maintain malpractice insurance.
This training is only for attorneys who are not already certified to represent children and parents in CAFL cases in the Juvenile Court. Attorneys must have prior experience representing clients in family law cases in the Probate and Family Court.

In the Matter of P.R. Masterclass: Elevating Your Mental Health Defense Practice
2024-05-22 14:00 - 16:00
•Understand the facts, legal questions, and the court’s decisionafter a thorough review of the Matter of P.R.
•Describe and analyze the holding of the case – what legalprinciples were established or affirmed, and how they relate tocurrent commitment cases.
•Develop strategies and arguments to be used in civilcommitment cases, drawing on the principles established In theMatter of P.R., 488 Mass. 136 (2021)
2 CLE Credits MH & MH Appeals
Register Here:
In the Matter of P.R. Masterclass: Elevating Your Mental Health Defense Practice Tickets, Wed, May 22, 2024 at 2:00 PM | Eventbrite

Disability and the Meaningful Opportunity for Parole Release Training
2024-05-22 13:30 - 15:30
SAVE THE DATE! MAY 22, 2024, 1:30 PM TO 3:30 PM
*PLEASE NOTE: This program is open only to current Parole Counsel.
This training will provide 2 parole CLEs for live attendees
Zoom link and further information about the content will be sent at a later date. The training will be recorded for those who are not available.

Youth at Risk Conference
2024-05-22 07:30 - 16:30 | Endicott College
Hosted by Pathways for Children
The YAR conference offers engaging workshops and the opportunity to obtain continuing education units (CEUs). Exhibitors across the region are present, and sponsors can partner with this uplifting event. The conference will be held on Wednesday, May 22, 2024.
https://www.pw4c.org/youth-at-risk-conference
May 22, 2024 7:30 am to 4:15 pm
NOTE: 5.5 CLE credit for each webinar for attorneys on each of the following panels: CAFL, and CAFL Appeals.

CAFL's Issue Spotting Training
2024-05-21 13:30 - 16:00 | Zoom
The Temporary Custody Hearing just ended. DCF has been awarded Temporary Custody. What do you do now? Identifying the potential issues in the case is a critical step for developing a comprehensive case plan. Join us for this zoom training designed to assist you in ferreting out the key issues in your cases. We start with a new, completely original CAFL hypothetical. And it is packed with issues. Your homework is to read the hypothetical and watch a short video. Then join us on May 21 for the Zoom training. After a brief introduction, we will break into small groups where we can unpack the issues presented in the hypothetical. When we rejoin the large group, we will compare lists and discuss how to use this list in your case planning.
Limited spots available!
NOTE: 3 CLE credit for each webinar for attorneys on each of the following panels: CAFL, CAFL Appeals.
Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUlcu6orzwsHtEBf9TU3yceInugH57scVE9

Preserving the Record
2024-05-17 13:00 - 15:00
Preserving issues for appeal, pre-trial, during trial, and post-trial. Preserving strategic issues for appeal will also be discussed. Presenters: Tamara Barney, Debra Dow, Devorah Vester, Michelle Moucharite, and Karen Talley. Time: May 17, 2024 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Two hours of CLE credits.
Meeting ID
844 8682 7522
Register Here

Children on the Stand – Principles and Best Practices
2024-05-16 14:00 - 16:00 | Zoom
NOTE: 2 CLE credit for each webinar for attorneys on each of the following panels: YAD Trial & YAD Appeals; Criminal Defense (Trial and Appeals), CAFL (Trial and Appeals), and SDP/SORB.
Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZItduigpz4qGdxGnzKR-p1ELhMoPCPcEKw7

Making Sense of Employment Research: “Thriving at Work While Living with Mental Illness" w/ Guest Speaker, Dr. Uma Chandrika Millner
2024-05-16 12:00 - 13:00
The Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation is pleased to present “Making Sense of Employment Research”, a webinar series designed to discuss a recent published research study, in a clear and relevant way, even for those who know little or nothing about research.
This interactive webinar will highlight the conditions necessary for thriving at work among individuals living in challenging mental health situations. We will emphasize fairness as the foundation to thriving and the importance of (re)storying multiple perspectives, centering decent work as a basic human right, and identifying the psychological, social, and structural systems necessary for thriving. We will highlight the specific needs of Black, Indigenous, and Other People of Color (BIPOC) and Transgender individuals with lived experience.
Dr. Uma Chandrika Millner (she/her) is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology and Applied Therapies at Lesley University and part-time faculty at Boston College. Prior to Lesley, she worked as a Research Scientist at Boston University. Her overall professional approach is grounded in anti-colonial frameworks and intersectionality. Dr. Millner’s research focuses on work and wellness for marginalized and minoritized communities including individuals with psychiatric disabilities and Asian Americans. Dr. Millner has conducted numerous research projects involving qualitative and quantitative methodologies focused on community integration of adults with psychiatric disabilities. This event is supported by funding from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR grant 90RTEM0004). NIDILRR is a Center within the Administration for Community Living (ACL), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The contents of this project do not necessarily represent the policy of NIDILRR, ACL, HHS, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.
Register Here
This program is hosted by Boston University Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation. Any questions or issues regarding this program should be directed there. (psyrehab@bu.edu). This event is being listed for informational purposes only. CPCS staff cannot assist with, or solve, registration issues.
