Spring 2026 Internship Positions

Job Description

About Company

The Children and Family Law Division (CAFL) Hyannis Office is a part of the Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS), which is the state agency in Massachusetts responsible for providing legal representation to individuals who cannot afford an attorney, as required by state or federal law.

CPCS’s Core Mission:
The overarching mission of CPCS and its divisions like CAFL is to fight for equal justice and human dignity. This is achieved by:
• Supporting clients in achieving their legal and life goals.
• Zealously advocating for individual rights.
• Promoting just public policy to protect the rights of all.

Values:
CPCS operates under the core values, acronymed as CARE:
• Courage
• Accountability
• Respect
• Excellence

Diversity and Inclusion:
CPCS is deeply committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion as core values. They aim to protect the fundamental constitutional and human rights of their clients through zealous advocacy, community-oriented defense, and excellent legal representation. This commitment is reflected in their efforts to:
• Build and maintain strong professional relationships, accepting, listening to, and respecting the diverse circumstances of each client.
• Ensure that CPCS management and staff represent a broad range of human differences and experiences.
• Provide a work climate that is respectful and supportive of success.
• Promote the dignity and well-being of all staff members.
Given the diverse backgrounds of their clients, CPCS emphasizes the critical need for staff to be culturally competent and adept at working with people of different races, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, abilities, and language proficiencies.

Scope of CPCS Representation:
Beyond family law, CPCS provides representation in a wide array of legal areas, including:
• Criminal cases
• Delinquency and youthful offender cases
• Family regulation
• Guardianship
• Mental health
• Sexually dangerous person cases
• Sex offender registry cases
• Appeals and post-conviction/post-judgment proceedings related to these matters.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO):
CPCS is an equal opportunity employer and explicitly states that it does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ethnicity, sex, disability, religion, age, veteran or military status, genetic information, gender identity, or sexual orientation, adhering to federal and state statutes.

Job Description, Detailed

Position Title: Spring 2026 Internship Position

Department/Unit: Children and Family Law Division (CAFL) Hyannis Office

Position Overview:
This internship provides an opportunity for individuals to work directly with lawyers and collaborate closely with social workers within the CAFL Hyannis Office. The primary focus of the work involves representing children and parents in critical legal matters.

Key Areas of Representation:
Interns will be involved in cases where the Department of Children and Families (DCF) removes children from their homes due to allegations of neglect or abuse. Additionally, the unit provides legal services for:
• Child Requiring Assistance (CRA) cases.
• Contested adoptions.
• Guardianship of minor proceedings.
• Sua sponte custody proceedings in the Probate and Family Court.

Responsibilities:
Interns will actively participate in various aspects of legal representation, including:
• Client Contact: Significant interaction with clients through interviews and visits to their homes or placements.
• Case Investigation: Assisting with gathering information and evidence crucial for trial preparation.
• Service Advocacy: Advocating on behalf of clients to ensure they receive necessary services.
• Negotiation: Engaging in discussions and negotiations with opposing counsel.
• Legal Research and Writing: Conducting legal research and drafting documents for:
• Motion arguments.
• Custody hearings.
• Termination of parental rights trials.
• Addressing novel legal issues that arise in court.
• Discovery Review: Examining pre-trial discovery materials and reviewing Department of Children and Families (DCF) case files.
• Education-Related Matters: Attending and participating in meetings concerning clients’ educational needs, such as suspension hearings and Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings.
• Court Appearances: If certified, interns may make appearances in Juvenile Court on behalf of Child Requiring Assistance (CRA) clients.

Confidentiality Requirement:
A strict condition of the internship is the agreement to keep confidential all information related to client representation and the work performed on behalf of clients.

Qualifications:
Minimum Entrance Requirements:
• Candidates must demonstrate a strong commitment to the principles of zealous advocacy, community-oriented defense, and the protection of fundamental constitutional and human rights.

Additional Requirements:
• Transportation: Access to reliable transportation is essential for traveling to courts, client locations, and investigation sites that may not be easily accessible by public transportation.
• Remote Work Capability: Candidates must have access to a personal computer with sufficient home internet access to facilitate remote work when necessary.

Application Information:
Interested applicants are required to submit the following documents:
1. Resume
2. Personal Mission Statement: A statement no longer than two pages, detailing the applicant’s interest in the internship, personal qualities, background, and what specifically draws them to this type of work.
3. Writing Sample