Training Schedule
Children and Family Law Division (CAFL)
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 Litigation Division (MHLD)
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: jrobinson@publiccounsel.net
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.
Private Counsel Division (P/CD) - Criminal Defense
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.
Youth Advocacy Division (YAD) - Juvenile Defense
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.
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