Law Student Intern

Job Description

About Company

The Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) is a state agency in Massachusetts dedicated to providing legal representation to individuals who cannot afford an attorney, as required by state or federal law. Specifically, the Worcester PDD Trial Office is currently seeking interns.

CPCS’s Mission and Values:
CPCS’s core mission is to fight for equal justice and human dignity. They support clients in achieving their legal and life goals, zealously advocate for individual rights, and promote just public policy to protect the rights of all. Their guiding values are:
• Courage
• Accountability
• Respect
• Excellence

Diversity and Inclusion:
CPCS is deeply committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, which are seen as core values. They strive to protect the fundamental constitutional and human rights of their assigned clients through zealous advocacy and community-oriented defense, while building strong professional relationships and respecting the diverse circumstances of each client. This commitment extends to:
1. Ensuring management and staff represent a broad range of human differences and experience.
2. Providing a respectful work climate that supports success.
3. Promoting the dignity and well-being of all staff members.
The agency emphasizes that its diverse client base (across race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, abilities, limited English proficiency, etc.) necessitates culturally competent staff.

Agency Scope:
CPCS provides legal representation in a wide array of cases, including:
• Criminal
• Delinquency
• Youthful Offender
• Family Regulation
• Guardianship
• Mental Health
• Sexually Dangerous Person
• Sex Offender Registry cases
• Appeals and post-conviction/post-judgment proceedings related to these matters.

CPCS is an equal opportunity employer committed to non-discrimination based on race, color, national origin, ethnicity, sex, disability, religion, age, veteran or military status, genetic information, gender identity, or sexual orientation.

Job Description: Spring 2026 Internship – Law Student

Overview:
The Worcester PDD Trial Office of CPCS is offering law student internship positions for Spring 2026. These internships provide valuable training and a variety of experiences and assignments, all supervised by veteran attorneys.

Position Summary:
Interns will work closely with lawyers, social workers, and investigators to provide legal representation and advocacy to indigent clients charged with criminal offenses in both District and Superior Courts. This role offers a wide range of opportunities to engage directly with the legal process.

Key Opportunities and Experiences:
Interns will be involved in:
• Legal research and writing
• Arraignment and bail advocacy
• Second seating trials
• Pretrial investigations, including visiting crime scenes, locating, and interviewing witnesses

Qualifications:
• Required:
• Law students who have successfully completed or are currently enrolled in an evidence or trial practice class.
• Written approval by their Dean is required if they intend to represent clients in court under SJC Rule 3:03.
• Preferred:
• Law students who have taken classes in evidence, criminal law, constitutional law, critical legal theory, and/or trial advocacy.
• SJC Rule 3:03 certification.

Responsibilities:
Interns will work directly with attorneys, investigators, and social service advocates on the following tasks:
• Client interviews
• Arraignment and bail arguments
• Legal research
• Drafting pretrial motions, affidavits, and legal memoranda
• Pretrial investigation, which includes visiting locations of alleged crimes and interviewing witnesses
• Pretrial Motion arguments

Confidentiality:
Interns are required to agree to keep all information involving client representation and the work they perform on behalf of clients strictly confidential.