CPCS Website

How to Represent a Client Seeking Transfer to a Mental Health Facility pursuant to c.123, 18 (a½)
2023-12-12 09:30 - 12:00 UTC
The Criminal Defense & Mental Health Training Units, along with Staff from MHLD and the Immigration Impact Unit Present
How to Represent a Client Seeking Transfer to a Mental Health Facility pursuant to c.123, 18 (a ½)
December 12th from 9:30am-Noon
On Zoom
2 ½ CLE Credits:
MHLD Trials & Appeals, Criminal Trials & Appeals, YAD Appeals, Parole/Medical Parole
2 CLE Credits:
SDP/SORB
JOIN US in a collaborative and interactive training for guidance and practical tools.
We will review the relevant law, potential risks and benefits to clients, and other information necessary to zealously represent a client seeking relief through a Petition for Transfer.
You will then brainstorm with colleagues in small groups to explore potential scenarios with clients seeking transfer.
After this training, you will be able to:

Understand how to communicate with and advocate for clients in acute mental health distress
Compile information and documentation necessary for an effective Petition
Advise about consequences for and zealously represent all informed clients, including noncitizen clients
Explain whether and how a successful petition will result in the mental health services sought by your client

Register in advance for this meeting:
HERE
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

The Center for Guardianship Excellence: Choosing & Using Supported Decision-Making
2023-12-12 13:00 - 15:00
Tuesday, December 12, 2023, 1-3 pm Eastern Time. Join us for this 2-hour virtual, instructor-led workshop to explore Supported Decision-Making from many viewpoints.
Leave with a clear understanding of the different ways SDM works and what it can mean to the dignity and growth of an adult.
By the end of this training, you will be able to answer these questions:
1. If someone has incapacities can SDM be chosen instead of guardianship?
2. What if a guardian has already been appointed, can SDM be a part of the way decisions are made going forward?
3. What does an SDM program look like, is there documentation or a set of rules?
4. Where are supporters chosen from, who selects them, and how do supporters learn what they are expected to do?
5. How is it possible to know if an SDM program is working effectively or if it should be abandoned in favor of traditional guardianship?
There is no charge for this virtual training. Registration is required.
Register by following the link below to the Center for Guardianship Excellence Website:
Choosing + Using Supported Decision-Making (guardianshipcenter.org)
This program is approved for 2 CLE Credits in MHLD Trials and Appeals
Learn About Supported Decision-Making from this first-hand account.
On May 4, 2023, we were honored to have guest speaker, Jonathan Gardner, explain how he got started with SDM and how it is helping him to thrive.
Jonathan’s presentation was recorded and is offered at no charge with no CEUs, or at $35 for the CEU with Exam version.
Please choose the recording you prefer by following the link below.
Recorded Training – Center for Guardianship Excellence (guardianshipcenter.org)

This program is hosted by The Center for Guardianship Excellence. Any questions or issues regarding this program should be directed there. info@guardianshipcenter.org . This event is being listed for informational purposes only. CPCS staff cannot assist with, or solve, registration issues.

The Lawyer Well-Being Series You Are Not Alone: The Pervasiveness of Substance Use in the Legal Profession and the Importance of Connecting Through Struggle and Shared Experiences
2023-12-13 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
Hosted by Social Law Library,
Email: msaporito@socialaw.com
Web: http://www.socialaw.com
Faculty:
Heidi Alexander, Esq., Director, MA SJC Standing Committee on Lawyer Well-Being
Richard Hennessey, Esq., Morrison Mahoney LLP
Amanda Rowan, Esq., Massachusetts Trial Court
Additional faculty TBA
NOTE: 1 CLE credit for each webinar for attorneys on each of the following panels: CAFL, CAFL Appeals, Adult Criminal Trials, YAD and YAD Appeals, MHLD, SORB and SDP

Guardianship Roundtable: Health Care Proxy Affirmation
2023-12-13 12:00 - 13:00
TALKING ABOUT HEALTH CARE PROXY AFFIRMATIONS AND HOW TO DEFEND THEM TO PRESERVE YOUR CLIENTS’ RIGHT TO REVOKE THEIR HCP WHEN YOUR CLIENTS DISAGREE WITH DECISIONS BY THE AGENT
Bring your cases to crunch, or any other Guardianship related issues to talk about.
There will be a 15-minute talk about health care proxy affirmations and how to defend them to preserve your clients’ right to revoke their HCP when your clients disagree with decisions by the agent.
You can register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZElcOCgqTksH93_vRtD_Cig0bz3q1Fu6Xss

CAFL's Preparing for Trial Training Fall 2023
2023-12-14 13:00 - 16:30 | Zoom
Schedule:
Thursday Nov. 30, 2:00-4:00 PM: Orientation on Zoom
Monday Dec. 4, 1:00-4:30 PM (Zoom)
Thursday Dec. 7, 1:00-4:30 PM (Zoom)
Monday Dec. 11, 1:00-4:30 PM (Zoom)
Thursday Dec. 14, 1:00-4:30 PM (Zoom)

Cultural Humility Series: Listening to LISTEN
2024-01-09 15:00 - 17:00 | Zoom
Listening is a core skill for professionals who serve families and children. Yet, when was the last time you truly listened? Do you know what truly listening entails? Join your colleagues for this multidisciplinary workshop with experts on Listening to LISTEN and engage with your clients in a new and empowering way by refining your listening skills in the new year!
Please see flyer below for more details.
Register here!

Sec. 35 Hearings in Juvenile Court
2024-01-11 14:00 - 16:00 | Zoom
Using a strategic approach to prevent your young client from being held on a sec. 35 petition.
CLE: 2 YAD
Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwtd-2grDMpGdEgnRXbZFzkes7dxDKOwQnl#/registration

Skill of the Quarter Series: Adobe Acrobat
2024-01-19 13:00 - 14:00
Join us on January 19, 2024, 1-2PM for the second session where we’ll explore everything you need to know about Adobe Acrobat, including basic skills and the art of building out documents from scratch. All administrative staff members of CPCS are cordially invited and encouraged to attend.
Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAuce-qqjIsGNzkccvJ1x2ezJKSyKpStNjN#/registration

MHLD Civil Commitment Certification Bring-Back
2024-01-22 13:00 - 15:00
We are delighted to announce the first CPCS MHLD Civil Commitment Bring-Back event, a unique gathering aimed at reuniting attorneys who have successfully completed the Civil Commitment Certification within the last three years. 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.
Date and Time:

Date: January 22st
Time: 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Location: CPCS 75 Federal St Office, 5th Floor, Conference Room A/B

Register Here: (Note: Registration is restricted to Attorneys who have received their Civil Commitment Certification in the last 3 years)

CPCS Wellness Committee Mindfulness Program: Starting the New Year with Mindfulness
2024-01-24 15:00 - 16:00 | Zoom
CPCS Wellness Committee invites BC Law Professor, Filippa Marullo Anzalone, to present: Starting the New Year With Mindfulness.
Zoom Webinar Registration: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_i5OfOXMOQmuFZgc2NnDuhA
NOTE: 1 CLE credit for each webinar for: CAFL, YAD, Adult Criminal,
Post-Conviction, Mental Health Litigation, MHLD Appeals, SORB and SDP Panels,
2 CLEs for YAD Appeals

CAFL Appellate Panel Certification Training Orientation
2024-01-24 16:00 - 17:00 | Zoom
Seeking Counsel for Child Welfare/State Intervention Appeals
The Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) is seeking private attorneys to join the Children and Family Law (CAFL) Division appellate panel. CAFL appeals are appeals of final judgments in care and protection, termination of parental rights, guardianship of a minor, contested adoption, and other child welfare/state intervention proceedings. Most cases concern intervention by the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families in family life. The work of the CAFL appellate panel attorneys includes interviewing and visiting clients, conducting legal research, writing motions and briefs, and arguing cases before the Massachusetts Appeals Court and Supreme Judicial Court. All CAFL appeals get oral argument. Private panel attorneys handle the vast majority of CAFL appeals; other CAFL appeals are handled by the CAFL Appellate (staff) Unit. This posting is not for a staff position; it is for private attorneys to obtain certification to receive, and be compensated for, CAFL appellate appointments. Compensation is $85/hour. During the first year after completing the mandatory training, newly certified attorneys are expected to take at least one appellant and one appellee assignment. Panel members should expect to spend about 100-250 hours on each CAFL appeal. New CAFL appellate attorneys receive free mentoring for several years. Private panel attorneys submit bills to CPCS and must agree to follow all billing and other requirements set forth in the CPCS Assigned Counsel Manual, available at:
https://www.publiccounsel.net/assigned-counsel-manual/
Kindly direct any questions to Abigail Salois, Supervising Staff Attorney, CPCS/CAFL Appellate Panel Support Unit, at: asalois@publiccounsel.net.
Qualifications:
Applicants must have the following minimum qualifications:

Demonstrated proficiency in legal research and writing; and
At least one of the following:
i. Two years of child welfare/state intervention trial experience;
ii. Primary authorship of two or more appellate briefs in other subjects;
iii. A recent appellate clerkship, substantial editing experience for a law journal, publication of a law journal article, or other substantial research and writing experience.

Applicants must be admitted to the Mass. bar or be eligible for admission by December 12, 2023.
Admission into the training is competitive and not all applicants will be admitted. All admitted applicants must attend the four-day CAFL appellate training program scheduled for January 30, February 1, 6, and 8, 2024. The trainings, which will be conducted by Zoom, will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. each day. There will also be an orientation by Zoom on January 24, 2024 from 4:00-5:00 p.m. The agency actively seeks to diversify its private attorney panel membership.
Applications: CAFL Appellate Panel Application – 2024
Applications are due on December 11, 2023, but will be accepted on a rolling basis until the training is filled.

Mass Bar Assn: Celebration of New Clemency Guidelines and Training
2024-01-24 16:00 - 17:30
This program is hosted by Mass Bar Association. Any questions or issues regarding this program should be directed there. (MBA member services – (617) 338-0530 or membership_info@massbar.org). This event is being listed for informational purposes only. CPCS staff cannot assist with, or solve, registration issues.
This free Program qualifies for 1.5 CLE for the following CPCS Panels: YAD Appeals, Criminal Appeals, Parole/Medical Parole
Here is a link to the event for more information including registration: https://www.massbar.org/events/cle-program?productId=9287
Please note, you must register by 4pm January 23rd in order to participate.

Restorative Justice Series
2024-01-25 17:30 - 19:00, 2024-02-08 17:30 - 19:00
The Origins of Restorative Justice & Making the Case for Restorative Justice as an Alternate Disposition
The Massachusetts Bar Association’s Judicial Administration Section and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee (DEIC) presents a two-part program series on restorative justice. This will be a robust discussion of the restorative justice efforts that are happening within the trial courts on the state and federal level, schools, workplaces, and programs. At its core, restorative justice re-imagines the definition of “justice,” substituting “punishment” with “repair.”
To better understand this shift, the MBA invites you to engage in our upcoming two-part series.
Jan. 25, 2024: CLE Program (massbar.org)
Feb. 8, 2024: CLE Program (massbar.org)
CLE: NOTE: 1.5 CLE credit for each webinar for attorneys on each of the following panels: CAFL, CAFL Appeals.

CAFL Appellate Panel Certification Training
2024-01-30 09:00 - 12:30, 2024-02-01 09:30 - 12:30, 2024-02-06 09:30 - 12:30, 2024-02-08 09:30 - 12:30

Bristol County Court Clinic Services & Caselaw Update
2024-01-30 13:00 - 15:00 | Fall River Office, 1822 North Main Street, Fall River, MA 027201822 North Main Street, Fall River, MA, United States
Join us for a two-topic training opportunity!
First, The Bristol County Court Clinic Director will go over the new menu of services that the Court Clinic is offering in C&P cases, including consultations on guardianship removal, evaluations to assist with reunification, and court ordered consultations regarding action plan tasks and placement planning. The Bristol County judges may join to give a brief judicial perspective. Second, we will review recent case decisions impacting our practice.
You may attend in person or on Zoom. Registration is required for Zoom.
NOTE: 2 CLE credit for each webinar for attorneys on each of the following panels: CAFL.
Organizer: Astrid Kitchen, amkitchen@kblawgroup.us
Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcuceirrTsvHt2FWS3NpFcnuwqKvO174idC

The Role of The HHS Office of Civil Rights in Advancing Rights for Disabled Parents: Safeguards in Child Welfare Cases
2024-01-30 13:00 - 15:30 | Zoom
Speakers: Carla Carter, JD Associate Deputy Director for Enforcement with the HHS Office for Civil Rights. Robyn Powell, JD, PhD, National Research Center for Parents with Disabilities.
Tuesday, January 30, 2024. 1:30 PM ET.
The registration link is: https://brandeis.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_tJHeuz1vSrGdA84pvu1yNw#/registration

MHLD Cross-Examination Using Trial Transcripts
2024-01-30 13:00 - 16:00
Mental Health Litigation Training Unit Presents:
Refresh and Hone Your Cross Exam Skills:
Using trial transcripts to demonstrate effective ways to conduct a powerful Cross.
In all your cases, you need to conduct strategic and effective cross examination in order to successfully argue why the court should deny the petitioner’s case. What better way to improve your cross skills than to view transcripts of actual cross examinations for what to emulate and what to improve?
Come join us on January 30th from 1-3pm
2 CLE Credits MHLD & MHLD Appeals
Please Register Here
The number of participants will be restricted.

MHLD RED (Race, Equity and Diversity) Talk
2024-01-31 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/tZUpcOqorDkjE9ylWHhFxLbYn8vNEZTHDcc-

Monthly CAFL Race Equity Drop-In
2024-01-31 13:00 - 14:00 | Zoom
Join us for our next monthly Race Equity Drop In session on January 31, from 1-2PM as we explore different ways of building rapport and trust with clients when we don’t share an identity or don’t understand their experience. How do we bridge these gaps and overcome these barriers to develop positive working relationships with clients across differences? We hope to share challenges and brainstorm solutions. Come share your experiences, ideas, successes, or commiserate with us where we could have done better. For those that have a specific question and would like to roundtable it with colleagues (anonymously if you wish), we can do that too, just send us your question/issue in advance at cafltraining@publiccounsel.net.
NOTE: 1 CLE credit for each webinar for attorneys on each of the following panels: CAFL, CAFL Appeals
Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEsdO-vrTopGd3Ms2bVKJIdSFkSXMyzKWhd

Regional Coordinator Training
2024-01-31 14:00 - 16:00
MOVIE – CRAZYWISE
DISCUSSION TO FOLLOW WITH CAROLINE MAZEL CARLTON,
DIRECTOR OF TRAINING FOR THE WILDFLOWER ALLIANCE AND
THE HEARING VOICES RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROJECT
— CRAZYWISE “adds to the growing conversation that believes a psychological crisis can be an opportunity for growth and potentially transformational, not a disease with no cure.” This film explores how psychosis is viewed differently in other cultures as opposed to how it is defined and treated in the West.
— Caroline Mazel Carlton will discuss her work with Hearing Voices, and her passion for reclaiming cultural and spiritual wisdom traditions for navigating extreme states.

2 CLE Credits for MHLD & MHLD Appeals
REGISTER HERE
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

For more information contact:
Deborah Stevens, RC, Hampden/Berkshire – dhsesq84@comcas.net
Elaine Pourinski – RC, Franklin/Hampshire –epourinski@aol.com

Representing Survivors of Domestic Violence
2024-01-31 14:00 - 16:00
This webinar is sponsored by MCLE.
The focus of this discussion is on building the skills and capacity to provide comprehensive, trauma-informed representation for victims and survivors of intimate partner violence. The faculty discusses what domestic violence is, how it manifests, and what should be considered when representing a survivor and techniques for doing so.
This program is a must-attend for family lawyers and lawyers new to survivor work and practicing family law!
Agenda:

What Is Domestic Violence?
Who Are the Victims?
Recognizing the Signs of Domestic Violence
Understanding the Effects of Domestic Violence
How You Can Help Victims of Domestic Abuse
Techniques for Representing Domestic Abuse Victims
How to Keep Safe: Safety Measures for Your Client and Their Children
Family Law Issues and Domestic Abuse

NOTE: 2 CLE credit for each webinar for attorneys on each of the following panels: CAFL & CAFL Appeals.
Register Here

CRA Performance Standards
2024-02-02 13:00 - 15:00, 2024-02-14 13:00 - 15:00 | Zoom
Now, for the first time ever, CAFL is releasing performance standards for handling Child Requiring Assistance cases. The new standards will take effect February 19, 2024. They are being added to the Assigned Counsel Manual, available on CPCS’s website at Assigned Counsel Manual – CPCS Website (publiccounsel.net), and can be reviewed here. We will be offering several sessions by Zoom to guide you through the standards, which you can register for below! We also plan to make a recording available should you be unable to attend one of the sessions. Please do not hesitate to contact your AIC, mentor, Resource Attorney, or Trial Panel Support Unit liaison with any questions. Thank you for helping us advance the representation of clients in CRA cases.
February 2, 1:00-3:00 https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAocO2oqzMuE92LATrqs8l48Cdfu7FTS7N-
February 14, 1:00-3:00 https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIvdu6rqz0jHdNeLKS4SzJKo9NLshJVfg9z

Potentialities, Not Promises: Parole, Good Time, and Release to Supervision Parole and Sentencing for Defense Attorneys, Pt. 2
2024-02-07 13:00 - 15:00
REGISTER HERE: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUpdOurqzkoG9aZw_cP3ef4D-Z37NulWmj4
Please join us for the second installment of our training series on Parole and Sentencing, brought to you by the Criminal Defense Trainers and the Parole Advocacy Unit.
Once a client is sentenced to a term of incarceration, in most instances an array of out-of-court mechanisms may cause them to be released from the prison or house of correction earlier than that date suggested by the maximum term of their sentence. While none of this relief is ever guaranteed, in many cases “early” release into the community becomes a reality. This training will provide attorneys with an understanding of these mechanisms so that they can evaluate potential sentences and help clients make informed decisions regarding plea offers and potential exposure after trial.
Presenters: Sentencing expert Lee Gartenberg trains judges on this and many other issues. Nicole Ouellette is a criminal defense and parole attorney on rotation with the Parole Advocacy Unit. Benjamin Selman is a Legal Training Attorney with CPCS’s Criminal Defense Trainers.
This program has been approved for 2 CLE on the following panels: Adult Criminal, Criminal Appeals, YAD Trial, YAD Appeals, Mental Health, Parole/Medical Parole

Juvenile Competency Hot Topics: Remediation
2024-02-07 14:00 - 15:00 | Zoom
How to successfully prevent a Judge from ordering that your client be remediated.
CLE: YAD 1

Immigration Law for Criminal Lawyers – What a criminal lawyer must know before representing foreign nationals in criminal courts
2024-02-08 16:00 - 18:00 | Zoom
Hosted by the Social Law Library
Monday, April 8, 2024, 4:00 – 6:00 PM ET
Online Only
Faculty: Annelise Araujo, Esq., Partner, Araujo & Fisher, LLC & Melanie Shapiro, Esq., Partner, Law Office of Melanie Shapiro
Join our expert panel and learn about representing criminal defendants who are foreign national and what a criminal lawyer needs to know about convictions and immigration law. Areas that will be covered include:

What is conviction?
Why does it matter for your client AND for you?
Types of crimes

Crimes Involving Moral Turpitude
Aggravated Felonies
Crimes of Domestic Violence
Firearms offenses

Strategies to mitigate immigration consequences.
Working with immigration attorneys
Immigration relief through criminal court – Us, Ts, and S visas

Registration coming soon.
