Job Description

The Committee for Public Counsel Services, the public defender agency of Massachusetts, is seeking a Chief Operating Officer to provide strategic advice and support to the Chief Counsel on the management of daily operations of the agency.

We fight for equal justice and human dignity by supporting our clients in achieving their legal and life goals. We zealously advocate for the rights of individuals and promote just public policy to protect the rights of all.

Our Values

Courage • Accountability • Respect • Excellence

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION MISSION STATEMENT

CPCS is committed to protecting the fundamental constitutional and human rights of our assigned clients through zealous advocacy, community-oriented defense, and the fullness of excellent legal representation. We are dedicated to building and maintaining strong professional relationships, while striving to accept, listen to and respect the diverse circumstances of each client, as we dedicate ourselves to meeting their individual needs. It is our CPCS mission to achieve these goals, and in furtherance thereof, we embrace and endorse diversity, equity and inclusion as our core values as we maintain a steadfast commitment to: (1) Ensure that CPCS management and staff members represent a broad range of human differences and experience; (2) Provide a work climate that is respectful and supports success; and (3) Promote the dignity and well-being of all staff members. CPCS leadership is responsible for ensuring equity, diversity, and inclusion. The ability to achieve these goals with any level of certainty is ultimately the responsibility of each member of the CPCS community.

AGENCY OVERVIEW

CPCS is the state agency in Massachusetts responsible for providing an attorney when the state or federal constitution or a state statute requires the appointment of an attorney for a person who cannot afford to retain one. The agency provides representation in criminal, delinquency, youthful offender, family regulation, guardianship, mental health, sexually dangerous person, and sex offender registry cases, as well as in appeals and post-conviction and post-judgment proceedings related to those matters.

The clients we represent are diverse across every context imaginable and bring many unique cultural dimensions to the matters we address. This reality creates a critical need for CPCS staff to be culturally competent and able to work well with people of different races, ethnicities, genders and/or sexual orientation identities, abilities, and limited English proficiency, among other protected characteristics.

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) is a key member of the CPCS Senior Management Team (SMT). The COO provides strategic advice and support to the Chief Counsel on the management of daily operations of the agency, while acting as the point of contact between the Chief Counsel and legal and operations staff on all operational issues.

The COO scopes, plans, and executes multiple projects that facilitate the Chief Counsel’s leadership objectives, oversees the development and implementation of systems, policies, and procedures to ensure efficient operations of CPCS, and coordinates the successful accomplishment of CPCS goals, while managing a wide variety of competing interests and priorities that are both high profile and on tight timeframes. The COO apprises the Chief Counsel on critical issues, works with senior leaders to identify alternative means for resolving operational issues, and coordinates implementation of solutions. In addition, the COO directs and oversees the Private Attorney Outreach Partners and the Legal Training Department.

The Chief Operating Officer reports to the Chief Counsel.

Qualifications

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS

• Be a member in good standing of the Massachusetts bar with at least 7 years of legal experience or an equivalent combination of education, experience, and skills;
• 5 or more years as a manager supervising staff and/or operational units, or equivalent relevant experience; and,
• Access to a personal computer with home internet access sufficient to work remotely.

QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS

The ideal candidate will be a person who is highly organized, creative and detail-oriented, enjoys problem solving with colleagues, and can take the lead in sustaining a collaborative work environment. The ideal candidate will take satisfaction from working in an agency whose commitment is to protect the fundamental legal rights of indigent persons.

The ideal candidate will have:

• More than 7 years’ experience representing indigent clients in one or more CPCS practice areas;
• Extensive knowledge of CPCS legal and operational systems;
• Ability to optimize processes and ensure efficient operations;
• Financial acumen and proficiency in analyzing data to inform strategic decisions;
• Demonstrated experience managing large scale projects and teams;
• Experience developing and implementing strategic plans;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; and,
• Demonstrated ability to manage and implement changes, leading teams and colleagues in a professional manner that leads to positive results.

The position will be posted until filled, however preference will be given to candidates who apply prior to April 21, 2026

Responsibilities

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Overseeing and supporting agency operations, coordinating projects, facilitating the creation and adoption of new policies and procedures, supporting Facilities on space issues, and acting as the point of contact for manager and staff operational issues;
• Overseeing and coordinating agency-wide operational projects that involve multiple divisions;
• Overseeing the Legal Training Department which is headed by a Training Chief and includes groups of attorneys leading training in criminal, family regulation, delinquency, and mental health practice areas as well as forensic services and racial equity; as well as professional development of members of legal teams, including social workers, investigators, paralegals, and administrative assistants.
• Overseeing the Private Attorney Outreach Partners who recruit private attorneys to join our various panels of attorneys;
• Implementing the agency Staffing Plan, releasing positions, and, in coordination with HR, approving position postings and offers while tracking salary funding availability with the Finance Department;
• Collaborating with SMT, supporting and facilitating the development and implementation of strategic plans and agency goals, including but not limited operational workflow, executable succession planning, oversight of staffing plans, and caseloads.
• Spearheading improvements to operational efficiencies and resource allocation, including but not limited to technological advancements in case management, process automation, and appropriate AI tools.
• Overseeing crisis management polices and processes and communication strategies;
• Facilitating, coordinating, and implementing Chief Counsel directives including provision of guidance and support to senior leaders; and,
• Other duties as requested or required.

EEO Statement

The Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, sex, disability, religion, age, veteran or military status, genetic information, gender identity, or sexual orientation as required by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and other applicable federal and state statutes and organizational policies. Applicants who have questions about equal employment opportunity or who need reasonable accommodations can contact the Chief Human Resources Officer, Sandra DeBow-Huang, at sdebow@publiccounsel.net