Resources for Post-Conviction Panel Attorneys

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

Where to direct documents and inquiries:

Dolly Mele (Dmele@publiccounsel.net)

Questions about direct appeal and all other types of assignments, except screening assignments

Maudelcia Tuitt (Mtuitt@publiccounsel.net)

Questions about screening assignments

Kate O’Connell (KMoconnell@publiccounsel.net)

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

Lori Bodley (LBodley@publiccounsel.net)

Copy of filed appellate brief and new trial motions
CLE attendance

Liz Dembitzer (edembitzer@publiccounsel.net)

Screening reports
Authorization requests for new trial motions, habeas petitions
Authorization requests for withdrawal from or moving to dismiss cases
Requests for co-counsel
Requests for mentor assignments
General case questions/ strategy

Matt Harper-Nixon (MHarper-nixon@publiccounsel.net)

Scheduling moot arguments or brainstorming sessions
Questions about Thursday drop ins or the Resource Attorney program
General case questions/ strategy

Information regarding class action relief for Dookhan and Farak defendants

If a client has had convictions vacated due to the misconduct at the Hinton and/or Amherst labs, they may be entitled to refunds of money paid due to those convictions. The attorneys handling the class action seeking those refunds have asked that people go to the website that they have established: https://druglabrefunds.com/Home/portalid/0

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.

Training manual

Prepared by Murray Kohn and edited by Matt Harper-Nixon

Appeals Webinar 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.

FY2022 POST CONVICTION PANEL RESOURCE ATTORNEYS

Suffolk County:

Josh Daniels
617-942-2190
jdaniels@danielsappeals.com

Michael Nam Krane
617-553-2366
Michael@bostonjustice.net

Middlesex and Essex Counties:

Philip Weber
617-202-6651
PhilipWeberLaw@gmail.com

Erin Opperman
857-233-4602
erin@oppermanlaw.com

Worcester, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire and Berkshire counties:

Debra Kornbluh
617-755-1578
DKornmatt@aol.com

Murray Kohn
774-239-0732
Murray.kohn@appellate-defender.com

Norfolk, Plymouth, Bristol, Barnstable, Dukes and Nantucket counties:

Alison Bancroft
774-215-5240
alison@attorneybancroft.com