Law Student Intern

Job Description

About the Company

The Youth Advocacy Division (YAD) Worcester Office of CPCS (Committee for Public Counsel Services) is a state agency in Massachusetts dedicated to providing legal representation for individuals who cannot afford an attorney when required by law.

Their core mission is to fight for equal justice and human dignity by supporting clients in achieving their legal and life goals. They zealously advocate for individual rights and promote just public policy.

The organization’s foundational Values are encapsulated by the acronym CARE:
• Courage
• Accountability
• Respect
• Excellence

Diversity and Inclusion Mission Statement:
CPCS is deeply committed to protecting the fundamental constitutional and human rights of its assigned clients through zealous advocacy, community-oriented defense, and excellent legal representation. They prioritize building and maintaining strong professional relationships, respecting the diverse circumstances of each client, and meeting individual needs. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are core values, with a steadfast commitment to:
1. Ensuring that CPCS 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.
CPCS leadership is responsible for ensuring equity, diversity, and inclusion, with the ultimate responsibility for achieving these goals resting with every member of the CPCS community.

Agency Overview:
CPCS represents clients in a wide array of legal areas, including criminal, delinquency, youthful offender, family regulation, guardianship, mental health, sexually dangerous person, and sex offender registry cases, as well as related appeals and post-conviction proceedings. The client base is highly diverse across all imaginable contexts, bringing unique cultural dimensions to the cases. This necessitates that CPCS staff are culturally competent and able to work effectively with individuals of different races, ethnicities, genders and/or sexual orientation identities, abilities, and limited English proficiency, among other protected characteristics.

Job Description: Spring 2026 Internship Positions (Law Student Intern)

Position Overview:
The Youth Advocacy Division (YAD) is seeking law student interns for Spring 2026. Interns will work with lawyers who are committed to ensuring that every indigent child in Massachusetts receives zealous legal representation, which incorporates a Positive Youth Development approach, specifically in delinquency and youthful offender cases.

Responsibilities:
Interns will work directly with attorneys, investigators, and social service advocates, engaging in a wide range of tasks and opportunities including:
• Client interviews
• Arraignment and bail arguments
• Legal research
• Drafting pretrial motions, affidavits, and legal memoranda
• Pretrial investigation, which involves visiting the locations of alleged crimes and interviewing witnesses
• Second seating trials, and participation in Jury and bench trials in criminal cases
• Assisting lawyers and working closely with social workers to represent juveniles.
• Providing effective representation in court.
• Engaging in educational advocacy.
• Making individualized referrals to community-based resources.

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

Qualifications:
Minimum Entrance Requirements:
• Demonstrated commitment to the principle of zealous advocacy, community-oriented defense, and the protection of fundamental constitutional and human rights.
• Must be enrolled in Law School to be considered.
• Access to reliable transportation to travel to courts, clients, and investigation locations that may not be easily accessible by public transportation.
• Access to a personal computer with home internet access sufficient to work remotely.

Application Information:
Interested applicants should submit the following:
1. Resume
2. Personal Mission Statement (no more than two pages) detailing their interest in the internship, personal qualities and background, and what specifically draws them to this work.
3. Writing Sample

EEO Statement:
The Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) is an equal opportunity employer. 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, in compliance with federal and state statutes and organizational policies. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations or having questions about equal employment opportunity can contact the Chief Human Resources Officer, Sandra DeBow-Huang, at sdebow@publiccounsel.net.