Law Student Intern

Job Description

About Company

The Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) is a state agency in Massachusetts. Its core mission is to provide legal representation to individuals who cannot afford an attorney, when required by the state or federal constitution or a state statute. This includes a wide range of legal areas such as criminal, delinquency, youthful offender, family regulation, guardianship, mental health, sexually dangerous person, sex offender registry cases, as well as related appeals and post-conviction/post-judgment proceedings.

CPCS is deeply committed to equal justice and human dignity, aiming to support clients in achieving their legal and life goals through zealous advocacy for individual rights and promotion of just public policy.

Their Values are encapsulated in the acronym CARE:
• Courage
• Accountability
• Respect
• Excellence

The agency emphasizes Diversity and Inclusion as core values, viewing them as integral to their mission of providing excellent legal representation. Their Diversity and Inclusion Mission Statement highlights:
1. Ensuring that CPCS management and staff represent a broad range of human differences and experience.
2. Providing a work climate that is respectful and supports success.
3. Promoting the dignity and well-being of all staff members.
CPCS leadership is responsible for ensuring equity, diversity, and inclusion, with the ultimate responsibility also falling on each member of the CPCS community. They recognize that their diverse client base necessitates culturally competent staff who can work effectively with people of different races, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientation identities, abilities, and limited English proficiency, among other protected characteristics.

About the Job

This opening is for Spring 2026 semester interns at the CPCS Salem Public Defender Division.

Position Overview:
The internship offers law student interns a variety of experiences and assignments under the supervision of veteran attorneys, along with valuable training. Interns will work closely with lawyers, social workers, and investigators. The primary focus is providing legal representation and advocacy to indigent clients charged with criminal offenses in both District and Superior Courts.

Key Opportunities and Experiences:
• Legal research and writing
• Arraignment and bail advocacy
• Second seating trials (assisting during trials)
• Pretrial investigations, including visiting crime scenes and locating/interviewing witnesses.

Qualifications/Skills:

Required Qualifications:
• Law students who have successfully completed or are enrolled in an evidence or trial practice class.
• Written approval by their Dean to represent clients under the supervision of a staff public defender in court, as per SJC Rule 3:03.

Preferred Qualifications:
• Law students who have taken classes in:
• Evidence
• Criminal Law
• Constitutional Law
• Critical Legal Theory
• Trial Advocacy
• SJC Rule 3.03 certification (indicating eligibility to represent clients in court under supervision).

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

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

EEO Statement:
The Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) is an equal opportunity employer. They explicitly state that they do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ethnicity, sex, disability, religion, age, veteran or military status, genetic information, gender identity, or sexual orientation, as mandated 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 with questions about equal employment opportunity or who require reasonable accommodations can contact the Chief Human Resources Officer, Sandra DeBow-Huang, at sdebow@publiccounsel.net.