Job Title: Internship - Fall 2025 - Special Projects Unit
Job Responsibilities:
Interns within the Special Projects Unit are tasked with several key responsibilities that support the post-conviction case process. These duties include:
- Assisting with post-conviction case investigation by reviewing case files and court dockets.
- Aiding attorneys in preparation for anticipated evidentiary hearings, particularly those related to forensic testing issues at the Hinton Drug Lab.
- Conducting research on state and federal constitutional issues pertinent to post-conviction litigation.
- Participating in the preparation of arguments for presentation in appellate courts.
- Responding to inquiries from attorneys and others concerning Special Projects Unit litigation.
- Attending court sessions to observe motions, arguments in appellate courts, and hearings and trials in the trial court.
- Engaging in training focused on the Massachusetts criminal court system and appellate practice.
Education and Experience Information:
To qualify for this internship, candidates must meet the following educational and experience criteria:
- Completion of the first year of law school by the start of the internship.
- Preferred qualifications include:
- Enrollment in courses such as evidence, criminal law, criminal procedure, constitutional law, critical legal theory, and/or trial advocacy.
- Experience working with low-income clients, people of color, immigrants, LGBT individuals, and other underrepresented groups.
- Proficiency in a foreign language is advantageous.
Salary Information:
The internship is unpaid.
Additional Information:
The Special Projects Unit is part of the Private Counsel Division Criminal Appeals Unit within the **Members Only**, a state agency in Massachusetts responsible for providing legal representation to individuals who cannot afford private counsel. This unit focuses on cases where developments in the law may impact post-conviction clients, potentially providing grounds for vacating convictions.
CPCS is dedicated to equal justice and human dignity, advocating for individuals' rights and promoting just public policy. The organization values courage, accountability, respect, and excellence and is committed to diversity and inclusion. The agency ensures that its staff represents a broad range of human differences and experiences, fostering a respectful work climate that supports the success and dignity of all staff members.
Interns will work closely with two attorneys, an administrative assistant, and a paralegal, engaging in activities such as case investigation, document and discovery review, legal research, drafting legal memoranda, strategizing legal theories, and responding to client inquiries. The internship provides a comprehensive learning experience aimed at preparing students to become excellent public defenders.
