Final application deadline is March 31, 2023, with priority given to those who apply by March 3rd.
The Mental Health Litigation Division (MHLD) of the Committee for Public Counsel Services is now accepting applications for its Spring 2023 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 hourly rate for appeals is 85.00/hour.
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. All attorneys who accept CPCS assignments are required to maintain professional liability insurance. The final deadline to submit completed applications is Friday, March 31, 2023, with priority given to those who submit their applications by Friday, March 3rd. (Space is limited due to limited mentoring capacity)