MHLD Appellate Certification Training Spring 2026

The Mental Health Litigation Division (MHLD) of the Committee for Public Counsel Services is now accepting applications for its Spring 2026 Appellate Certification Training. Successful completion of this training and participation in our appellate mentorship program qualifies attorneys to receive appointments for mental health appeals. The current hourly rate for appeals is 95.00/hour, and 105.00/hour starting August 1, 2026.

Mental health appellate practice is an exciting and developing area of the law, with the potential to be involved in cases of first impression while being a voice for clients whose voices are often ignored. Our clients have been deprived of their liberty by virtue of having been civilly committed, deprived of the ability to make their own treatment decisions, placed under guardianship or all of the above. You will gain client contact, appellate experience, and the satisfaction of providing zealous, client-centered advocacy for some of the most marginalized people in the Commonwealth.

Application Submission: Admission to the MHLD appellate panel is by application only. Space is limited. Applicants are invited to begin applying through the CPCS Application portal on April 4, 2026. All attorneys who accept CPCS assignments are required to maintain professional liability insurance. The deadline to submit completed applications is Friday, April 24, 2026.

If you would like to learn more about our panel and our work, an information session is being held via Zoom on March 31, 2026. Link: https://wkf.ms/4bCr9nF

For the full announcement and link to application, please click HERE.

For questions and further information, please contact Director of Mental Health Appeals, Karen Owen Talley at [email protected]