CPCS Website

The Lawyer Well-Being Series - Lawyers and Suicide Prevention
2025-06-09 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York)
Date & Time: Monday, June 9, 2025 from Noon to 1:00 p.m. ET
Webinar Fee: This a free program.
Online only.
CPCS approved 1.0 credits for the CAFL (Trial and Appeals), and Mental Health panels. YAD Trial and Appeals, CAFL Trial and Appeals, SDP/SORB, MH Trials and Appeals, Criminal Trial and Appeals, and Parole/Medical Parole panels. To receive credits attendees must be logged on during the program for a minimum of 80% of the conference time – certificates will be emailed to all attendees who qualify.
presented by
The Supreme Judicial Court Standing Committee on Lawyer Well-Being, the Social Law Library, and Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers

Faculty
Jeffrey Fortgang, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist, Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers
Dr. Jeffrey Fortgang will review key aspects of what we know about suicide, in general and specifically in lawyers, including:

The extent to which attorneys, in comparison to those in other professions and occupations, are at especially high risk for depression and suicide.
What aspects of the world that lawyers navigate may contribute to depression and to likelihood of suicidal thoughts and actions.
What risk factors play a role in predicting an individual’s suicide potential, including those that may be inherent in the legal profession.
Whether and how colleagues, friends, and family can respond when concerned about an individual’s state of mind and safety.

Register Here
Online registration is encouraged. For assistance, questions on group discounts, accommodations requests, special billing, program content, out-of-state CLE credits, and general contact CLE Coordinator, Michael Saporito by email at msaporito@socialaw.com. Registrations accepted in order of receipt. Registration fees are non-refundable. Most Social Law Library CLE events are recorded and recordings are sent to all who are registered. The recording is available by digital download, generally within a week after the program date. CLE credit, when applicable, is only granted when the live webinar is attended.

Persuasive Practice in Superior Court
2025-06-09 09:00 - 16:30, 2025-06-04 09:00 - 16:30, 2025-06-03 09:00 - 16:30, 2025-06-02 09:00 - 16:30 UTC
June 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 12, 2025 (9:30 am to 4:30 pm)
Application Deadline: February 10, 2025
The CPCS Criminal Defense Trainers are accepting applications for Persuasive Practice in Superior Court, a program that focuses on criminal defense practice in the Superior Court. This course is open to all criminal defense attorneys at CPCS and to any Bar Advocates who wish to become certified for the Superior Court Panel. Coaching and training faculty will consist of criminal defense lawyers experienced in Superior Court Practice.
The stakes are much higher for clients who have been indicted, and there are important differences in Superior Court practice and District Court practice. The course will address procedural and substantive topics that every criminal defense lawyer practicing in Superior Court must know. Participants will also work on advanced trial advocacy skills in the context of cases commonly encountered in a Superior Court Practice.
The program will be held in two locations: Boston and Worcester.
Acceptance into the program is based on a number of factors, including geography.
Among other things, we plan to cover the following topics during the course:

Opening Statement, Cross Examination and Closing Argument in complex
Motion practice including the legal grounds and evidentiary basis for discovery of protected information under the Lampron/Dwyer seven step protocol to produce, inspect and use privileged records in court;
Grand jury proceedings, indictments, immunity issues;
Evidentiary and forensic issues involved in trying sexual assault allegations such as first complaint evidence, Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) examinations, and DNA evidence, collateral consequences and
Issues in gang allegations;
Tips for creating and maintaining excellent relationships with clients in the high stress setting of a Superior Court case;
Procedural aspects of Superior Court practice, including the procedural life of a case;

Please note: there is homework assigned each night as part of this course.

MHLD Symposium
2025-06-06 08:30 - 17:30 UTC
CPCS MENTAL HEALTH LITIGATION DIVISION
PRESENTS A DAY-LONG SYMPOSIUM
June 6, 2025
8:00am – 5:30pm

A Seat at the Medical Table:
Exploring New & Available Treatment Approaches

We will bring you experts and those with lived experience on cutting edge
psychiatric and medical treatment
Meet your colleagues and make new connections!
CPCS Worcester Training Center: 120 Front Street, 3rd floor
Virtual option also available
Join other members of the Mental Health community – advocates, clinicians, judges and activists – we will discuss innovative approaches to treatment including and beyond the medical model to maximize our clients’ choices and ability to sit at their own medical table and participate in treatment.

The Keynote speaker will be Courtney Bergan, a former MHLD client, now a lawyer, advocate, and Equal Justice Works Fellow at Disability Rights Maryland. Here is her article: A Human Rights Based Approach to Treatment
The Agenda details other panelists including those practicing critical psychiatry, anti-racist psychiatry, metabolic and nutritional psychiatry, harm reduction and activists who will enlighten us on transformative approaches.

Lunch will be provided so we hope you will join us in person.
Don’t wait to reserve your seat, space is limited.
Register today!
MHLD Symposium Tickets
When registering, you will be asked to specify preference for joining in-person or remotely
Any Questions?
Email Beau Kealy bkealy@publiccounsel.net or Laura Sanford lsanford@publiccounsel.net

Enhancing Representation of People with Disabilities and Deaf People: A Three-Part Webinar Series
2025-06-05 14:00 - 15:30, 2025-05-28 14:00 - 15:30, 2025-05-21 14:00 - 15:30 (America/New_York) | Zoom
A Three-Part Virtual Training: May 21, 28 and June 5, 2025
People with disabilities and Deaf people are arrested and incarcerated at vastly higher rates than people without disabilities. Although psychiatric disabilities (mental illnesses) are often included in discussions about mass incarceration and criminal legal reforms, other types of disabilities – such as sensory, cognitive, and physical disabilities – and Deaf communities have been overlooked. The Criminal Defense Trainers are proud to partner with Activating Change and the Disability Law Center of Massachusetts to announce a three-part virtual training on this Important topic.
Part 1: May 21 Kaitlin Kall & Kate Pollack of Activating Change will provide context to the mass incarceration of Deaf people and people with disabilities and unapck some of the barriers faced by these communities in interacting with the criminal legal system.
Part 2: May 28 Kaitlin Kall & Kate Pollack of Activating Change will provide strategies to enhance universal access for clients, including approaches for communicating about and securing accomodations for people who are Deaf or have disabilities.
Part 3: June 5 Justin Woolf & Alison Fondo of the Disability Law Center of Massachusetts will discuss MA specific accomodations and the legal framework for making accomodation requests.
*note each session of this program qualifies for 1.5 CLE on the following CPCS Panels: CAFL(Trial & Appeals); Criminal Defense Adult (Trial & Appeals); YAD (Trial & Appeals); SDP; SORB; Parole; Medical Parole
REGISTER HERE

Virtual MHLD Appellate Certification Training
2025-06-05 09:30 - 13:00, 2025-06-03 09:30 - 13:00 (America/New_York)
Virtual MHLD Appellate Certification Training 9:30am – 1pm
More details TBD
Any questions, contact Karen Talley ktalley@publiccounsel.net

Preparing for Trial - Spring 2025
2025-06-04 14:00 - 16:00 UTC | Zoom
Orientation

Working with Social Service Experts on Parole Cases
2025-06-03 14:00 - 15:30 (America/New_York) | Zoom
This training, presented by an attorney and social service expert duo, is open to already certified parole attorneys as well as social service experts who handle or are interested in handling parole cases.
1.5 CLEs for parole.
contact parole@publiccounsel.net for more information

The New Massachusetts Parentage Act (MPA): Implications for C&P cases
2025-06-03 13:00 - 14:30 (America/New_York) | Zoom
Need a refresher on parentage in C&Ps? Curious about how the new Massachusetts Parentage Act (MPA) affects your advocacy? Open to all CAFL practitioners! The new MPA, effective January 1, 2025, updates our state law on establishing and recognizing legal parent-child relationships. The new law includes and protects more families and individuals, including LGBTQ+, families formed through assisted reproduction, and de facto parents. In this training we will briefly review the nuts of bolts of establishing parentage and then take a deeper dive into the changes and additions in the new MPA. We will conclude by discussing how the new MPA, and in particular the creation of a new cause of action for de factor parentage, is implicated in your daily C&P practice and litigation strategies. This training will be offered virtually on June 3, 2025, from 1p-2:30p, 1.5 CAFL CLEs.
Please register in advance: The Massachusetts Parentage Act (MPA) Training Registration Page

WORDS MEAN THINGS: Racial Bias in the Language of Family Policing
2025-06-02 14:00 - 16:30 (America/New_York) | Zoom
This January, CAFL Training hosted a Racial Justice Drop-In focusing on Race Bias in Language used in the family regulation context. We are following up on this rich discussion with Words Mean Things: Racial Bias in the Language of Family Policing with Clinical Psychologist Dr. Aleesha Young, LPC, PsyD, and Suffolk based family defense practitioner Attorney Laura Openshaw.
In this training, we hope to review and explore how often used language within DCF documents and practice functions to denigrate and belittle parents and how deeply imbedded social stereotypes perpetuate prejudice within family regulation cases. Dr. Young and Attorney Openshaw will provide a framework for identifying and challenging these biases in court practice. Please note that while this segment will focus on race bias, we understand how language can also be weaponized against age, disability, gender, ethnic identity, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status and will approach this theme with that understanding.

Exploring and Expanding Your Advocacy: Working with Clients with Substance Use Issues, Criminal Cases, and Medication Issues
2025-05-30 13:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York)
Exploring and Expanding Your Advocacy: Working with Clients with Substance Use Issues, Criminal Cases, and Medication Issues
May 30th 1-4pm (Training from 1-3pm 2 CLEs; Regional meetings 3p-4p (1 CLE if attorneys from these regions)
Presented by Bristol County Regional Coordinator, John Mitchell & Suffolk County Regional Coordinator, Valerie Rust

This training will cover:

How to work with clients experiencing mental health and substance use issues:

Explore strategies to effectively represent clients facing section 35 petitions.
Identify resources to help clients with their dual diagnoses.

How to work with clients facing forensic commitments.

Develop strategies for effectively representing clients in section 16 & 18 commitment proceedings.

How to recognize ways to advocate for our clients’ various medication needs and preferences.

Discover how to effectively work with an IME to advocate for and satisfy your clients’ medication goals.

No need to register just join!
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82817585804?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 828 1758 5804
Passcode: [REDACTED]

MAY MHLD RED (Race, Equity and Diversity) Talk
2025-05-30 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York)
MAY MHLD RED (Race, Equity and Diversity) Talk
May 30, 2025 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Drop-in Lunch & Learn to build on other recent race trainings and support you in your MHLD practice!
THIS PROGRAM QUALIFIES FOR 1 CLE ON THE MHLD TRIAL & APPEALS PANEL

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?
This is also a chance to case crunch your cases with your colleagues over lunch!
Come join us!
Please Register in Advance Here

SDP (Sexually Dangerous Persons) Trial Panel Certification
2025-05-30 10:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | CPCS Worcester, 120 Front Street, 3rd floor, Worcester, MA, 01608, United States
Join a panel where you are guaranteed Superior Court jury trials with experts in virtually every case*
Massachusetts is one of 20 states that has a sexually dangerous persons statute, G.L. c. 123A, which allows the government to keep individuals indefinitely confined in prison for something they MAY do in the future. Once an individual has completed a criminal sentence for a sex offense, the Commonwealth can petition to have him detained as a sexually dangerous person.
SDP jury trials in Superior court usually last at least one week and often involve four or more experts and other witnesses. Expert testimony by psychologists about diagnoses, sexual recidivism and likelihood of reoffense are key components.
Join our team of talented and successful jury trial attorneys.
Application forms at: https://forms.monday.com/forms/474c04f4822f27f3405ccf9c5195964c?r=use1 and must be completed by March 15, 2025, to allow time for processing.

If accepted, you will be invited to complete the certification training by viewing videos in the comfort of your office or home by May 9, 2025 and subsequently completing a one day in-person practice training that will take place on Friday, May 30, 2025, from 10 am to 4 pm in the CPCS Worcester office.

For more information, contact Liz Elliott at 781-652-4324 or Rob Ploski at (617) 910-5827 or ac@publiccounsel.net
CLEs: Criminal Trials, YAD, Post-Conviction, YAD Appeals: 3.5; MHLD Trials – 2.5.
*(By statute both the client and the Commonwealth have a right to jury by statute, so virtually every case is a jury trial)

The Missing Piece: Courts Integrating Lived Expertise into Child Welfare System Improvement
2025-05-29 13:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York)
Thursday, May 29
1 – 4 p.m. ET
Registration is free

Plan to attend this important half-day virtual summit co-designed by lived experts and court professionals to explore how courts can effectively collaborate with people who have lived experience in child welfare system improvement. Learn more about the summit.
Who should attend?

Dependency judicial officers and court leaders
Child welfare leaders and professionals
Child welfare attorneys
Individuls with lived experience in the child welfare system
Court partners

Summit date: Thursday, May 29 | 1 – 4 p.m. ET
Register today.
If you have questions, please email Miguel Trujillo

CAFL Racial Justice Drop In
2025-05-29 13:00 - 14:30 UTC | Zoom
Are you frustrated with the lack of tools we have in raising race? Do you want to raise race, but feel you need more support? Well, this is the Racial Justice Drop In for you! We will be exploring resources, tools, and arguments other practice areas and states are using to decrease disparities, increase equity, and bring justice. You will also hear from the new Racial Justice Mentors about how they can support you in litigating race. Join us on May 29 from 1-2:30pm to learn more. 1.5 hours CLE

YAD Caselaw Update
2025-05-28 15:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York)
YAD Caselaw Update
May 28, 2025
3:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Register Here!

MHLD Guardianship Roundtable
2025-05-28 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York)
MHLD Guardianship Roundtable
May 28th @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Join your colleagues and Laura Sanford for a Guardianship Roundtable on May 28th from 1:00pm to 2:00pm.
You get 1 CLE credit.
Laura Sanford will be discussing the recently published Guidelines for Pro Se Litigants.
Download these guidelines here.
Bring your issues and cases to “crunch.”
Please Register Here
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Lunchtime CLE with Paul Tuttle, Clerk of Massachusetts Appeals Court
2025-05-28 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Zoom
Please join us for a lunchtime CLE session with Paul Tuttle, clerk of the Massachusetts Appeals Court. After serving as an assistant clerk for 11 years, he took the reins of the clerk’s office in June of 2024.
The first half of the session will be devoted to Clerk Tuttle discussing the handling of cases that include sealed counts after not guilty verdicts and his perspective on handling difficult clients in the Appeals Court. We expect to have a fair bit of time for questions and answers as well. If you have any particular questions you would like to submit ahead of time, please send them to mharper-nixon@publiccounsel.net.
REGISTER HERE: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ETgcKGUXT7mS5fZA1Kie-A
Please note: 1 CLE credit for each webinar for attorneys on each of the following CPCS panels: Post Conviction (Adult); YAD Appeals; MH Appeals; CAFL (Trial and Appeals); SORB; SDP; Parole and Medical Parole;

Issue Spotting Innocence
2025-05-27 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | Zoom
In this one hour webinar, Lisa Kavanaugh and Jill Tessier of the CPCS Innocence Program share their insights and perspectives on how to issue spot for potential innocence claims in the course of handling direct appeals and post-conviction screening assignments. Utilizing data, research, and practical tips gleaned from case successes in the 15 years since the Innocence Program was first established, this webinar seeks to raise awareness of the common causes of wrongful convictions and identify strategies to successfully investigate and litigate motions for new trial that seek to disrupt the narrative of guilt and focus on finality that too often pervades appellate review of criminal convictions.
This program qualifies for One CLE on the following CPCS Panels:
Criminal Defense (Trials); Post-Conviction; YAD Appeals; SORB, SDP
REGISTER HERE:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_8yaiAw5MQeCAc7c3VhozlQ

Holding Hope: Advancing Justice-Centered and Community-Rooted Mental Health for Marginalized Children
2025-05-22 12:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | Zoom
In the face of structural violence, racial trauma, and systemic inequities, professionals supporting children’s mental health often ask: How do we keep doing this work with integrity, justice, and hope—without becoming overwhelmed or disconnected from our purpose? This presentation moves beyond foundational knowledge to explore the next phase of justice-centered mental health care: collective, culturally grounded action. Building upon social determinants of health and Kenneth Hardy’s model of healing racial trauma, this session centers children from historically marginalized communities and offers actionable, community-rooted strategies to deepen healing and foster resilience. Attendees will engage with practical tools, culturally responsive interventions, and community-based models that shift the work from individual to collective care. This session aims to sustain practitioners with tools that not only support children and families—but also nurture the professional’s own healing and engagement in the work through a framework of radical hope and co-regulation.
Cost: $50 if for CE Credit; $30 for no CE Credit
William James College faculty, staff, and alumni are eligible for enrollment discount codes.
William James College students attend this program at no cost with discount code.
For any questions or to receive the discount code, please contact us at: ce@williamjames.edu

Click here for more information or to register for this continuing education program.

Appellate Brief Writing Workshop
2025-05-22 09:00 - 13:30 UTC | CPCS Boston, 75 Federal Street, Boston, MA, 02110, United States
By Invitation/Application only. for more details, please contact Emily Cardy at ecardy@publiccounsel.net

ICWA & Tribal Child Welfare 2025 Conference
2025-05-21 14:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Zoom
History, Law, Identity & Connection
Virtual Workshop
May 21, 2025
2:00pm-4:00pm
2.0 CAFL CLE
Via Zoom
Virtual ICWA Conf Invitation PDF
This workshop will feature Professor Kate Fort, a nationally recognized scholar in the field of federal Indian law, with specific expertise in the Indian Child Welfare Act and tribal child welfare systems as she provides a review of the core components of ICWA.

How to Read a CARI for Non-Criminal Attorneys Practicing in Guardianship and Commitment Cases and What to Do if Your Client Wants to Testify but has Open Criminal Charges
2025-05-16 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York)
How to Read a CARI for Non-Criminal Attorneys Practicing in Guardianship and Commitment Cases and What to Do if Your Client Wants to Testify but has Open Criminal Charges
This 1 hour MHLD CLE is geared toward attorneys who do not typically practice criminal law but who may encounter clients who have open criminal charges or a criminal record that is an issue in your proceedings. The first part of the course will discuss how to read the charges and outcomes on the CARI and the second part of the CLE will focus on what to do if your client wants to testify and has open charges or was found incompetent to stand trial.
May 16, 2025 1:00-2:00 pm.
Presenters:
Stephen Lowell, Esq., Quincy
Debra P. Dow, Esq., Newburyport

Register in advance for this meeting:

https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/LC52PhtxQVq5jqWDEeskNA

Briefing – and maybe even winning – ineffective assistance of counsel claims in CAFL appeals
2025-05-15 14:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Zoom
Presented by the CAFL Appellate Panel Support Unit
Join us on Thursday, May 15th from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. via Zoom
We’ll discuss the key cases, identifying potential IAC issues, communicating with trial
counsel, preparing and arguing motions for new trial/relief from judgment based upon IAC,
and briefing and arguing IAC claims on appeal. After a plenary session, we’ll break out for
small group discussions.
Advanced registration is required. 2 CLE’s
*CAFL Appeals Panel Only*
Register here:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/up6NRC-iTzyM1PxKmpVstQ

Evidence Series: 911 Calls
2025-05-14 14:00 - 15:00 UTC
PRESENTER: Jessica Kirane, CPCS Training Department Staff Attorney
911 calls can be full of emotion and hearsay, yet the Commonwealth sometimes wants to put them into evidence, especially when they don’t have the caller to put on the stand for some reason. Lean how to get this evidence excluded.
1 CLE credit for each webinar for attorneys on each of the following panels: Criminal Defense Trials (Adult), Post-Conviction (Adult); YAD, YAD Appeals, Mental Health (Trials), Mental Health Appeals, Parole
REGISTER HERE
