Description:
Overview:The Special Projects Unit is currently seeking law students for Fall 2024 internship positions. Interns must be enrolled in law school. To apply, please submit a resume, cover letter and writing sample no later than April 30, 2024. In their cover letters, candidates are encouraged to share any of the lived or professional experiences that draw you towards public defense. We are considering applications on a rolling basis, so we strongly encourage applicants to submit their completed applications as soon as practically possible. If you have any questions, please reach out to Tricia Muse at pmuse@publiccounsel.net
We fight for equal justice and human dignity by supporting our clients in achieving their legal and life goals. We zealously advocate for the rights of individuals and promote just public policy to protect the rights of all.
Our Values:
Courage • Accountability • Respect • Excellence
Position Overview:
A Government Entity is Massachusetts' state-wide public defender organization. The Special Projects Unit (SPU) is part of the Private Counsel Division Criminal Appeals Unit. This unit assigns cases to criminal post-conviction clients when there have been developments in the law that have a widespread impact on A Government Entity post-conviction clients and may provide grounds for undoing a conviction, notifies clients and attorneys about these developments and, in some cases, litigates these issues. For more information, please see our webpage at https://www.publiccounsel.net/pc/criminal-post-conviction-and-appeals-unit/
Interns assist the SPU on post-conviction case investigation by reviewing case files and court dockets. They research state and federal constitutional issues relating to current post-conviction litigation. During the Fall 2024 semester interns will also assist in the preparation for an evidentiary hearing by searching and organizing discovery and strategizing about its use at an anticipated hearing. Interns also participate in the preparation of arguments to be presented to the appellate courts (moot) and attend court hearings. They may also field questions from attorneys and others regarding Special Project litigation. Students are also encouraged to attend court as often as they would like to observe motions and appellate arguments as well as hearings in the trial court.
Our office is committed to helping to prepare students to be excellent public defenders. All students begin their internship by participating in a training focused on the Massachusetts criminal court system and appellate practice.
Our office is easily accessible via public transportation, so students are not required to have access to a car.
Qualifications:
Qualifications/Skills:
All students who will have completed their first year of law school by the start of their internship are eligible to apply.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Students who have taken classes in evidence, criminal law, criminal procedure, constitutional law, critical legal theory, and/or trial advocacy
- Students with experience working with low-income clients, people of color, immigrants, LGBT people, and other underrepresented groups
- Students who speak a foreign language
Responsibilities:
Responsibilities
- Interns work directly with 2 attorneys and our paralegal on the following:
- Case investigation and document review at the court
- Reviewing and organizing post-conviction discovery relevant to current litigation
- Conducting legal research
- Drafting legal memoranda
- Strategizing about legal theories to pursue in current litigation
- Assisting with trainings
- Responding to client inquiries
- Screening of cases for assignment of counsel
