Upcoming Certification Trainings
Children and Family Law Division (CAFL)
CAFL CRA ONLY Certification Training
To Be Announced
CAFL C&P and CRA Certification Training
Fall 2025 Trial Panel Certification Training
Wednesday, September 10, 2:00-4:00 orientation
Monday, September 15, 9:30-4:30 – in person
Thursday, September 18, 1:00-4:30 – zoom
Monday, September 29, 9:30-4:30 – in person
Friday, October 3, 1:00-4:30 – zoom
Monday, October 6, 9:30-4:30 – in person
Thursday, October 9, 1:00-4:30 – zoom
Wed, October 15, 9:30-4:30 – in person
Wed, October 22, 9:30-4:30 – in person
Oct 28, 29 & 30, 8:45-5:00 – mock hearings in person (will be assigned just one day for mock hearing)
Applications for the Fall training are due by August 8, 2025, but will be accepted on a rolling basis until the training is filled.
Children and Family Law Appeals Certification
The CAFL Appeals certification training is next scheduled to be held in January, 2026.
Dates: To Be Announced.
Children and Family Law Guardianship Certification
The CAFL Guardianship Panel certification training is next scheduled to be held in Spring, 2026.
Dates: To Be Announced.
Mental Health Litigation Division (MHLD)
Mental Health Commitment Certification Training
9/11/25 – in person (Bos) 10am – 3pm
9/15/25 – on Zoom 1pm – 4pm
9/18/25 – on Zoom 1pm – 4pm
9/22/25 – on Zoom 1pm – 4pm
9/25/25 – on Zoom 1pm – 4pm
10/1/25 – in person (Worc) 10am – 3pm
Mock trials: TBD on participant availability
October 14 – CPCS Worcester
October 15 – CPCS Boston
October 16 – CPCS Worcester
October 17 – CPCS Boston
Mental Health Guardianship Certification Training
Offered in late Winter & early Spring with dates TBD.
Mental Health Appeals Certification Training
| Date | Day | Time |
| June 3, 2025 | Tuesday | 9:30 – 1:00 |
| June 5, 2025 | Thursday | 9:30 – 1:00 |
| June 10, 2025 | Tuesday | 9:30 – 1:00 |
| June 12, 2025 | Thursday | 9:30 – 1:00 |
Priority deadline is April 18th, 2025. Applications will be accepted through May 2. 2025, if space allows.
Private Counsel Division (P/CD) - Criminal Defense
Criminal Defense Training (Zealous Advocacy in the District Courts)
Wednesday, September 10, 2025, 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm – Welcome and Intro day (on Zoom)
September 11-26, 2025 (Pre work on your own)
Live sessions: 9:30 am to 4:30 pm (Boston, Worcester, Holyoke)
September 25 & 26, 2025 (Thursday and Friday)
September 30 and October 3, 2025 (Tuesday and Friday)
October 7 & 9, 2025 (Tuesday and Thursday)
October 14 & 16, 2025 (Tuesday and Thursday)
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.
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.
Youth Advocacy Division (YAD) - Juvenile Defense
Juvenile Defense Training (Zealous Advocacy in the Juvenile Courts)
Wednesday, September 10, 2025, 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm – Welcome and Intro day (on Zoom)
September 11-26, 2025 (Pre work on your own)
Live sessions: 9:30 am to 4:30 pm (Boston, Worcester, Holyoke)
September 25 & 26, 2025 (Thursday and Friday)
September 30 and October 3, 2025 (Tuesday and Friday)
October 7 & 9, 2025 (Tuesday and Thursday)
October 14 & 16, 2025 (Tuesday and Thursday)
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.