Law Student Internship

Job Description

About the Company: Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS)

CPCS is the state agency in Massachusetts responsible for providing legal representation to individuals who cannot afford to retain an attorney, as mandated by state or federal constitutions or statutes. The agency’s overarching mission is to fight for equal justice and human dignity by supporting clients in achieving their legal and life goals, zealously advocating for individual rights, and promoting just public policy.

Key Aspects of CPCS:

• Mission: To protect the fundamental constitutional and human rights of assigned clients through zealous advocacy, community-oriented defense, and excellent legal representation.
• Values (CARE):
• Courage
• Accountability
• Respect
• Excellence
• Scope of Representation: CPCS provides representation 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. They also handle appeals and post-conviction/post-judgment proceedings related to these matters.
• Clientele: CPCS serves a highly diverse client base across various backgrounds, necessitating staff to be culturally competent and adept at working with people from different races, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, abilities, and those with limited English proficiency.
• Diversity and Inclusion: CPCS is deeply committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion as core values. Their mission includes:
• Ensuring management and staff represent a broad range of human differences and experiences.
• Providing a respectful work climate that supports success.
• Promoting the dignity and well-being of all staff members.
• CPCS leadership is responsible for ensuring equity, diversity, and inclusion, with ultimate responsibility shared by every member of the CPCS community.
• Equal Opportunity Employer: CPCS is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination based on various protected characteristics as required by federal and state statutes.

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About the Job: Law Student Internship – Public Defender Division, Norfolk County Office

The Public Defender Division (PDD) of the Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS), specifically the Norfolk County Office, is seeking unpaid law student interns for the Spring 2026 term (January to Mid-May 2026). This office is located in Quincy, MA, and is accessible by the T-Red Line.

Internship Overview:

• Focus: The Norfolk County office defends a broad range of adult felony and misdemeanor cases (excluding murder) in both District and Superior Courts. They also advocate for clients in specialized mental health, veteran’s, and drug court programs.
• Target Interns: Rising 2L through 3L law students.
• Schedule: Interns must be able to devote at least two full days per week to the internship.
• Compensation: This is an unpaid internship. Students are strongly encouraged to seek funding through their schools or federal work-study fellowships.
• Mandatory Training: Interns are required to attend an intensive, multi-day training at the beginning of the internship.

Key Responsibilities and Learning Opportunities:

Interns will work directly with veteran attorneys, investigators, and social service advocates, gaining a wide range of practical legal experiences, including but not limited to:

• Legal Research: Conducting thorough legal research.
• Legal Writing: Drafting pretrial motions (e.g., motions to dismiss, to suppress), affidavits, and legal memoranda. These projects can serve as writing samples.
• Case Review: Reviewing evidence, client files, and communicating with expert witnesses and clients.
• Court Observation: Observing various court proceedings such as trials, motions, and arraignments.
• Client Contact: Participating in client interviews (especially for 3:03 certified interns).
• Court Advocacy (for 3:03 Certified Interns):
• Conducting arraignment and bail arguments.
• Presenting pretrial motion arguments.
• Potential for second-seating trials.
• Collaboration: Working closely with a multidisciplinary team of legal professionals.

Qualifications and Skills:

• Required:
• Current law student (rising 2L through 3L).
• Ability to commit at least two full days per week.
• Agreement to keep all client and work-related information confidential, requiring signature of a Confidentiality Agreement.
• Preferred:
• Law students who have taken classes in evidence, criminal law, constitutional law, critical legal theory, and/or trial advocacy.
• Law students who speak a foreign language.
• SJC Rule 3:03 Eligibility: Law students who have successfully completed or are enrolled in an evidence or trial practice class, and are in the summer prior to their final year of law school (at the earliest), may be eligible to represent clients in court under attorney supervision with written approval from their Dean and the Supreme Judicial Court. This certification provides more hands-on advocacy opportunities.

Location and Transportation:

• Office Location: 1515 Hancock Street, Suite 401, Quincy Center, MA (walking distance from Quincy Center T station – Red Line).
• Parking: Limited and often costly parking is available in the area.
• Courts and Jails: The office handles matters in Quincy, Stoughton, Wrentham, and Dedham District Courts, and Norfolk Superior Court (Dedham). Main jails are in Dedham (males) and South Bay in Boston (females), with clients also in other institutions across the Commonwealth.
• Transportation Recommendation: While a car is not mandatory, having personal transportation is highly recommended as it allows interns to participate in/observe proceedings in courts beyond Quincy District Court and visit clients in jail with an attorney, significantly enhancing the internship experience.

Outcomes for Interns:

Interns will leave the program with:

• Multiple projects suitable for use as writing samples.
• A written review that can be used for a reference.
• Valuable training unique to this office.
• Extensive experience working in a public defender setting.