Mental Health Litigation
Our Mission
The Mental Health Litigation Division is committed to protecting the legal and constitutional rights of citizens facing civil commitment to behavioral health hospitals, guardianship, and involuntary treatment, including the administration of antipsychotic medications.
Our team includes attorneys in four staffed offices and three panels of private attorneys, guardianship, civil commitment and appeals. Every attorney receives specialized training in mental health law and the statutory and constitutional rights of our clients. We also train attorneys in other divisions on mental health issues.
Client-Centered Services
Our Division provides legal representation in civil commitment cases in which individuals face involuntary hospitalization and medication for mental health reasons. Both staff and panel attorneys handle these cases.
We also represent individuals in probate and family courts in matters involving guardianships, substituted judgment proceedings, and validation of health care proxies. Private panel attorneys handle these cases. The MHLD Appellate Unit, made up of both staff and private appellate attorneys, represents clients in both civil commitment and guardianship appeals.
If You’re Hospitalized: Speak With An Attorney
If you are being held in an emergency room or hospital and would like to speak with us, call (617) 988-8341. Or, fill out our Hospital Admission Contact Form.
Mental Health Litigation Division Appeals Unit
The MHLD Appeals Unit provides representation on appeals for civil commitment, involuntary medication orders, and guardianship matters throughout the state of Massachusetts.
Director
Karen Owen Talley
144 Main Street, 4th Floor
Brockton, MA 02301
(508) 583-0560
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Appeals Staff Counsel II
Devorah Vester
109 Main St., Ste. 201
Northampton, MA 01060
(413) 355-5200
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Appeals Attorneys
Ilana Hollenberg
120 Front Street
Worcester, MA 01608
(508) 443-5400
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Administrative Assistant
Denise Tetrault
109 Main St., Ste. 201
Northampton, MA 01060
(413) 355-5200
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Find an Attorney
The Division includes an Administrative Office in Boston, four commitment defense units, and an Appeals Unit. Find contact information for each office and its staff in our directory.
Resources for Clients
Explore dedicated resources for individuals involved in mental health litigation.
Resources for Attorneys
CPCS provides materials to support attorneys involved in mental health litigation. See select criminal and civil cases, sample motions, hospital policies, and more in our Resource Center. Attorneys can also join our email group for regular news and updates.