Committee for Public Counsel Services

The Committee for Public Counsel Services is a 15-member organization based in Boston, Massachusetts. Appointed by the Governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the President of the Senate, and the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, the Committee oversees the provision of legal counsel to indigent individuals across a range of legal proceedings. The Committee provides legal representation throughout Massachusetts to those unable to afford an attorney in cases where the law mandates legal representation. This encompasses criminal, delinquency, youthful offender, child welfare, mental health, sexually dangerous person, and sex offender registry cases, along with related appeals and post-conviction matters. The Committee utilizes a network of approximately 500 staff attorneys and 3,000 private attorneys, who are trained and certified to accept appointments. These attorneys are supported and supervised by dedicated divisions specializing in criminal, child welfare, delinquency, youth advocacy, and mental health litigation. An Immigration Impact Unit provides comprehensive support and specialized guidance to attorneys across all divisions regarding immigration consequences for noncitizen clients. For more information about the Committee for Public Counsel Services, visit publiccounsel.net.