Massachusetts Recruiting New York Lawyers to Join State’s Assigned Counsel Panels
7.21.2026
The Massachusetts Committee for Public Counsel Services is actively recruiting lawyers in states that border the Commonwealth, like New York, to consider joining its private attorney panels.
The Committee for Public Counsel Services provides legal representation in Massachusetts for those unable to afford an attorney when the law requires it. This includes children and family law including appeals, youth advocacy, alternative commitment, sex offender registry and parole advocacy. In addition, the committee works with criminal cases, related appeals and other post-conviction matters.
Attorneys not admitted to the Massachusetts Bar are allowed to work for a non-profit legal services or public defense organization for up to two years under Rule 3.04 of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Rules. Kara Humm, the private attorney outreach partner for the committee, hopes the rule, plus a recent pay increase approved by the Massachusetts state legislature will provide an incentive for attorneys to pick up cases in the Commonwealth. Some panels carry a certification payment which offer higher, more competitive pay rates.
“We have a shortage of private panel attorneys in several regions of the state including Central and Western Massachusetts. Hampden County, which encompasses Springfield needs 25 additional attorneys to keep up with the panel caseload,” she said.
Humm is also in search of attorneys who have experience in appellate work. Case preparation can be completed remotely with limited time in court either in person or in virtual proceedings.
“If we can add 10 to 15 attorneys with appellate experience in mental health litigation and children and family law, it would change the trajectory of how we do business,” she said.
The Committee recently completed a targeted LinkedIn recruiter search which identified 139 attorneys self-identified as dual admitted in Massachusetts and New York.
“We know that number is not the full picture of attorneys with dual admittance, but it reinforces the idea that there are attorneys who work in both states and it creates an opportunity for them to expand their practice by taking part in CPCS panel work,” Humm said.
