Job Title:
Internship - Mental Health Litigation Division - Spring 2026
Job Responsibilities:
Interns in the Mental Health Litigation Division (MHLD) will have a range of responsibilities that provide hands-on experience in the field of mental health law. These responsibilities include:
- Shadowing several attorneys during their internship to gain insights into legal proceedings and advocacy strategies.
- Developing a working understanding of . c. 123, which is the legal framework for civil commitment, as well as learning about District and Municipal Court commitment proceedings, court-ordered medication proceedings, and the rules of evidence as applied in mental health cases.
- Visiting clients and conducting interviews to gather relevant information and understand the client's position on their pending petitions.
- Collaborating with independent medical experts, such as psychiatrists, psychologists, social service experts, and other mental health professionals, as requested by staff attorneys.
- Assisting attorneys in preparing legal motions for funds, motions for in-person hearings, reviewing medical records, and preparing direct examinations, cross-examinations of Designated Forensic Psychologists and Psychiatrists, and closing arguments.
- Conducting research on race and equity issues in civil commitments and assisting in developing a litigation guide on these topics.
- Engaging in research to support novel legal issues or arguments.
Interns who work with the Mental Health Litigation Division Trial Support Unit will have additional responsibilities, including:
- Conducting legal research on systemic and specific issues affecting clients with mental disabilities.
- Drafting practice materials for attorneys representing clients in mental health matters.
- Handling intake line calls from patients and clients in mental health facilities and providing information about their legal status, assignment of counsel, or referral.
- Assisting the MHLD Training Unit attorneys in creating and editing training materials, and developing and maintaining Mental Health online training and resource initiatives.
Education and Experience Information:
The internship is open to law students with varying levels of experience. Specific requirements include:
- Law students who have completed their 2L year and are or can be 3:03 certified are preferred for positions assisting attorneys with representation in civil commitment cases.
- 1L students are welcome to intern in the commitment defense offices to assist with client calls, reviewing medical records, and conducting legal research.
- Candidates should demonstrate a commitment to zealous advocacy, community-oriented defense, and the protection of fundamental constitutional and human rights.
- Access to reliable transportation or public transportation to travel to courts and hospitals is necessary.
- A personal computer with home internet access sufficient to work remotely is required.
Salary Information:
This is an unpaid internship. However, the organization can work with students to support the receipt of externship credit or outside funding.
EEO Statement:
The organization is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, sex, disability, religion, age, veteran or military status, genetic information, gender identity, or sexual orientation as required by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and other applicable federal and state statutes and organizational policies. Applicants who have questions about equal employment opportunity or who need reasonable accommodations can contact the Interim Chief Human Resources Officer.
