The Private Counsel Division – Appeals Unit maintains several resources to support panel attorneys.

Where to direct documents and inquiries:

Liz Dembitzer ([email protected])

  • Requests for mentors or co-counsel
  • Authorization to withdraw from a case or to dismiss an appeal
  • Requests for authorization not file a new trial motion, habeas petition or writ of certiorari

Matt Harper-Nixon ([email protected])

  • Scheduling moot arguments, brainstorming sessions
  • Questions about moot arguments , brainstorming about sessions, drop in sessions, trainings
  • Ideas for trainings
  • Information for the newsletter (send us your wins! Even small victories are nice to hear about)
  • General case questions/ strategy

Kate O’Connell ([email protected])

  • Requests for screenings, questions about screening process
  • General case questions/ strategy

Dolly Mele ([email protected])

  • Requests for/ Questions about/ issues re: direct appeal or other types of assignments

Maudelcia Tuitt ([email protected])

  • Questions about special project assignments (e.g. GPS, breathalyzer, drug lab, (full list on our webpage)

Kerry Lee ([email protected])

  • Copy of filed appellate brief and new trial motions
  • CLE attendance

 

Post-conviction panel incentives program

Attorneys are eligible to earn a maximum of $2500 in bonuses in Fiscal Year 2026.

1. $2500 bonus if an attorney files 4 or more appellate briefs or new trial motions (as part of a direct appeal assignment) in any court in fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026).  The briefs or motions must be from 4 distinct cases.

2. $2500 bonus if an attorney files 3 or more superior court appellate briefs or new trial motions (as part of a direct appeal assignment) in fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026). The briefs or motions must be from 3 distinct cases.

3. $2500 bonus if an attorney files 2 or more murder appellate briefs or new trial motions (as part of a direct appeal assignment) in fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026). The briefs or motions must be from 2 distinct cases.

Please use this form to submit your information for this program:  https://wkf.ms/3R4R6Bg

 

Post-conviction private investigator pilot program

The Post-Conviction Private Investigator pilot program is accepting applications for private investigator services for post-conviction cases.

This program allows attorneys working on certain post-conviction cases access to the services of a Private Investigator working under contract with CPCS and paid from a fund established for this purpose.

We encourage all attorneys working on direct appeals or post-conviction screenings to evaluate each case to determine whether post-conviction investigation would be helpful in developing grounds for new trial motion.  Private Investigators can locate and interview witnesses, locate documents or physical evidence, photograph or videotape evidence or geographic locations, and provide background information on relevant case witnesses, among other services.

To apply, please fill out this application and email it to [email protected].

Although we may not be able to provide a Private Investigator for every case, we encourage attorneys to consider applying.  We will evaluate applications based on the following criteria:  the potential that the fruits of an investigation will provide meritorious grounds for a new trial motion; reasons why ex parte investigation is particularly necessary for the case or why seeking funds through the court is undesirable or unlikely to be successful; and the client’s belief why post-conviction investigation is necessary.

 

Post-conviction checklists

The private counsel appeals division has created checklists attorneys should submit along with their request to close a screening or direct appeal.

Criminal Training Manual

Prepared by Murray Kohn and edited by Matt Harper-Nixon

 

Appeals Verification Form

Please use this form to request CLE credit for viewing pre-recording trainings or webinars.

 

Other divisions at CPCS can be helpful to panel attorneys in representing their clients.

The Immigration Impact Unit

Forensic Services

Training Unit

 

Resource Attorneys

Resource Attorneys are experienced post-conviction panel members who contract with CPCS to provide oversight and support to post-conviction panel members.   Among other duties, Resource Attorneys act as judges for moot arguments, hold weekly drop-in sessions and take advice calls from panel members.  A list of Resource Attorneys can be found below.

 

POST CONVICTION PANEL RESOURCE ATTORNEYS

Josh Daniels
617-942-2190
[email protected]

Michael Nam Krane
617-553-2366
[email protected]

Philip Weber
617-202-6651
[email protected]

Erin Opperman
617-945-6020
[email protected]

Dennis Toomey
978-773-0189
[email protected]

Tim St. Lawrence
401-484-7850
[email protected]

Anne Rousseve
617-655-2062
[email protected]

Suzanne Renaud
508-399-1060
[email protected]

Dave Barend
508-316-1171
[email protected]

Special Projects:

James McKenna
774-317-0983
[email protected]

Edward Crane
617-851-8404
[email protected]

Murder cases and federal habeas litigation:

 David Nathanson
(617) 248-1806
[email protected]

Cathryn Neaves
(978) 475-0609
[email protected]