Training Schedule

CAFL CRA ONLY Certification

CRA only Certification Training:

Dates to be announced.

CAFL C&P and CRA Certification

Care and Protection certification payment to attorneys after meeting eligibility criteria – $5032.00

Spring 2026 Trial Panel Certification Training:
Wednesday, March 11, 2026, 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Orientation — Zoom

Monday, March 16, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. — In Person

Thursday, March 19, 2026, 1:00 to 4:30 p.m. — Zoom

Monday, March 23, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. — In Person

Thursday, March 26, 2026, 1:00 to 4:30 p.m. — Zoom

Monday, March 30, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 — In Person

Thursday, April 2, 2026, 1:00 to 4:30 p.m. — Zoom

Monday, April 6, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. — In Person

Monday, April 13, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. — In Person

April 28, 29 & 30, 2026, 8:45 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. – In Person Mock Hearings (will be assigned just one half-day for mock hearing)

Applications for the Spring 2026 Training will be accepted on a rolling basis until February 1, 2026.

Children and Family Law Guardianship Certification

*The training is open to attorneys who are not already certified to represent children and parents in care and protection cases in the Juvenile Court. Applicants must have prior experience representing clients in family law cases in the Probate and Family Court.

Spring 2026 Guardianship Panel Certification:

Wednesday, May 6, 2026, 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. — Zoom

Monday, May 11, 2026, 2:00 to 4:30 p.m. — Zoom

Thursday, May 14, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.— In-person in Worcester, MA

Monday, May 18, 2026, 2:00 to 4:30 p.m.— Zoom

Applications for the Spring 2026 Training will be accepted on a rolling basis until April 1, 2026.

Children and Family Law Appeals Certification

Winter 2026 Appellate Panel Certification Training:

Training in progress. Next CAFL Appeals Certification Training to be held in 2027. Dates to be announced.

Mental Health Accelerated Trial Panel Certification Training Program

Open to experienced trial attorneys only

If you have any questions about the necessary qualifications, please contact Joe Robinson, Trial Panel Director, MHLD: [email protected]

Spring 2026 MHLD Accelerated Trial Panel Certification Training – Civil Commitment and/or Guardianship

Monday, May 11, 2026, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. — Accelerated Commitment & Accelerated Guardianship (in-person/Worcester)

Tuesday, May 19, 2026, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. — Accelerated Guardianship, class #2 (Zoom)

Friday, May 22, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. — Accelerated Commitment, class #2 (Zoom)

Tuesday, May 26, 2026, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. — Accelerated Guardianship, class #3 (Zoom)

Thursday, May 28, 2026, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. — Accelerated Commitment, class #4 (Zoom)

Friday, June 5, 2026, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. — Accelerated Commitment & Accelerated Guardianship (in-person/Boston)

Each accelerated training course will culminate in a required in-person half-day mock trial.

Half-day mock trials to be scheduled during the weeks of June 15th and 22nd – dates/times TBD (in-person)

Applications for the Spring 2026 Accelerated Certification Training – Civil Commitment and/or Guardianship Training will be accepted on a rolling basis until April 22, 2026.

Mental Health Commitment Certification

MH Civil Commitment certification payment to eligible attorneys after meeting eligibility criteria – $2372.50

Next regular session dates to be announced.

Mental Health Guardianship Certification
MH Guardianship certification payment to attorneys after meeting eligibility criteria – $2372.50

Winter 2026 MHLD Guardianship Certification Training
Training in progress. Next regular training session to be announced.

Mental Health Appeals Certification

Spring 2026 Mental Health Appellate Certification Training

Friday, June 5, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. — Zoom

Tuesday, June 9, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. — Zoom

Thursday, June 11, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. — Zoom

Tuesday, June 16, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. — Zoom

Applications for the 2026 Training will open on Monday, April 4th and will close on Friday, April 24, 2026.

Criminal Defense Training (Zealous Advocacy in the District Courts)

ZAT certification payment to attorneys after meeting eligibility criteria – $4680.00

Spring 2026 ZAT Program

Thursday, April 23, 2026, 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. – Orientation over Zoom

Friday, April 24 to Monday April 27, 2026, – Self-directed independent pre-work

Tuesday, April 28, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. – In Person (Boston, Worcester)

Wednesday, April 29, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. – In Person (Boston, Worcester)

Thursday, April 30, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. – In Person (Boston, Worcester)

Thursday, May 7, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. – In Person (Boston, Worcester)

Friday, May 8, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. – In Person (Boston, Worcester)

Tuesday, May 12, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. – In Person (Boston, Worcester)

Wednesday, May 13, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. – In Person (Boston, Worcester)

Friday, May 15, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. – In Person (Boston, Worcester)

Applications for the Spring 2026 ZAT program are due by March 20, 2026, but will be accepted on a rolling basis until the training is filled.

Appeals and Post Conviction Certification Training

The Private Counsel Division Criminal Appeals Unit accepts panel members on a rolling basis. New panel members are expected to take a new panel member training, offered in November, and a brief writing workshop, offered in the spring, during their first year on the panel.  

New panel member training to be held in November of 2026. Dates to be announced.

Alternative Commitment and Registration Support Unit
ACRSU accepts SORB and SDP panel members on a rolling basis. New panel members will be required to complete a new panel member training consisting of an online portion and a skills-based portion offered in person or by zoom. The trainings will be scheduled as needed.

SDP Certification:
Applications accepted on a rolling basis.

Juvenile Defense Training (Zealous Advocacy in the Juvenile Courts)

ZAT certification payment to attorneys after meeting eligibility criteria- $4680.00

Spring 2026 ZAT Program

Thursday, April 23, 2026, 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. – Orientation over Zoom

Friday, April 24 to Monday April 27, 2026, –  Self-directed independent pre work

Tuesday, April 28, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. – In Person (Boston, Worcester)

Wednesday, April 29, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. – In Person (Boston, Worcester)

Thursday, April 30, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. – In Person (Boston, Worcester)

Thursday, May 7, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. – In Person (Boston, Worcester)

Friday, May 8, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. – In Person (Boston, Worcester)

Tuesday, May 12, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. – In Person (Boston, Worcester)

Wednesday, May 13, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. – In Person (Boston, Worcester)

Friday, May 15, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. – In Person (Boston, Worcester)

Applications for the Spring 2026 ZAT program are due by March 20, 2026, but will be accepted on a rolling basis until the training is filled.

YAD Appeals Certification Training

The YAD Appeals Unit accepts panel members on a rolling basis. New panel members are expected to view recordings of the certification training.