About the role#
The Committee for Public Counsel Services Public Defender Division in Norfolk County offers law students the chance to work alongside attorneys, social workers, and investigators. This internship provides exposure to adult felony and misdemeanor cases in District and Superior Court. You will gain hands-on experience through supervised assignments and mandatory multi-day training at the start of the term. This is an unpaid position.
What you'll do#
- Conduct legal research and draft pretrial motions, affidavits, and legal memoranda.
- Review evidence and maintain correspondence with clients and expert witnesses.
- Observe court proceedings, including trials, motions, and arraignments.
- Perform client interviews and handle bail advocacy if you hold SJC Rule 3:03 certification.
- Maintain strict confidentiality regarding all client information and case work.
What you'll need#
- Current enrollment as a law student, specifically rising 2L through 3L.
- Completed coursework in criminal law, evidence, constitutional law, trial advocacy, or critical legal theory.
- Ability to commit to at least two full days per week.
- Eligibility for SJC Rule 3:03 certification is preferred.
- Proficiency in a foreign language is a plus.
Location & details#
- Location: Quincy, Massachusetts.
- Term: Spring 2027, running from January through mid-May.
- Modality: This is an on-site position. Having personal transportation is helpful for visiting various courts and correctional facilities, though not strictly required.
About Committee for Public Counsel Services
The Committee for Public Counsel Services is a government agency based in Boston, Massachusetts. It manages legal representation for indigent individuals in criminal, civil, and administrative cases where the law requires counsel. The organization coordinates a network of approximately 500 staff attorneys and 3,000 private attorneys. Its work covers areas including child welfare, mental health, and juvenile delinquency.
How to get in at Committee for Public Counsel Services
Applying early to the Committee for Public Counsel Services gives you a distinct advantage because recruiters review applications before the volume becomes unmanageable. Intern Insider sends an instant alert the moment a role matching your target is published, ensuring you are among the first to submit your materials. This timing often determines whether your application receives a thorough review or gets lost in a large queue. You can also improve your chances by reaching out to the recruiters behind the company roles directly to ask about the position or a potential referral. Intern Insider surfaces these specific contacts for you, which helps you bypass the standard portal and materially improves your response rates. Connecting with a human at the Committee for Public Counsel Services shows genuine interest and helps you stand out from the crowd.
