An American flag hanging from a balcony.

DEIB Summer Fellowship Program

Program Background

The BBA Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (DEIB) Summer Fellowship Program provides law students with paid summer internship opportunities in public interest settings. The program aims to ensure that law students from all backgrounds can gain meaningful experience in public interest law. Students placed in summer fellowships also gain practical experience in developing legal research and writing skills, expanding professional networks, and access to programming at the BBA. Fellows are also paired with a mentor from the BBA’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Section.  

Fellowships offer an opportunity for substantive work in a public interest law office, including supervision, skills development, and building one’s professional network. In addition to gaining work experience, Fellows attend professional development programming created by the BBA and receive a mentor through the BBA’s DEIB Section. Participating fellows are expected to work full-time for 10 weeks in the summer (typically late May through early August) and receive a $7,000 stipend for the summer made possible by law firm sponsorships and generous donations to the Boston Bar Foundation (BBF). 

Contact Noah at nwilliams@bostonbar.org with any questions about the program. 

Eligibility

The program accepts applications from students at our partner law schools (Boston College, Boston University, Northeastern University, New England School of Law, Suffolk University, and UMass) who have demonstrated a commitment to advancing DEIB in the legal profession, and who will have completed their 1L or 2L year by the summer in which they will participate in the program. Please note that this program is particularly for JD candidates. 

Applying for the Program

  1. Complete the Microsoft Form linked here by 9am on February 17, 2025 (applications will be live by mid-November, complete the interest form here to be notified when they are launched)  
  2. Submit the required supporting materials (outlined below) via email to community@bostonbar.org in a single pdf by 9am on February 17 
    • Resume  
    • Unofficial Law School Transcript 
    • Personal Statement in response to the prompt below (2-3 double spaced pages): 
      Reflect on your interest in public interest law and its connection to your dedication to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. In your response, consider how these values shape your vision for legal practice and societal change. Additionally, describe what specific skills, experiences, or insights you hope to gain from participating in this fellowship program and how they will contribute to your future endeavors in the law.  
    • Writing Sample (3-5 double spaced pages) 
    • The pdf should follow these naming conventions: 
      Format: Name, BBA DEIB Summer Fellowship 2025 Supporting Materials 
      Example: Noah Williams, DEIB Summer Fellowship 2025 Supporting Materials 

Host Sites

Each selected fellow will be placed at one of the following host sites.  See below for a brief description of each host site! 

City of Boston Law Department (COB)

The City of Boston’s Law Department provides legal services to the Mayor, City Council, and City departments regarding their official capacities within City government. They offer advice on legal issues related to the City’s work. They do not work with the general public. The Law Department’s mission is to provide excellent legal work by advising, facilitating, and defending City departments in order to make them more successful public servants for the community of Boston.

The Fellow will work with the two main divisions of practice — government services and litigation — providing research and litigation aid to Government Services attorneys across a variety of practice areas in addition to learning about civil defense litigation by conducting legal research, drafting pleadings, and reviewing claims. They will also accompany City attorneys to depositions and court hearings.

This program is organized by the Boston Bar Association and funding is made possible by the Boston Bar Foundation.

Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office (MA AGO)

Through this program, the selected law student will participate in the AGO’s Summer Legal Internship Program. As part of this unique opportunity, the selected law student will receive substantive work; supervision and skills development, particularly in legal research and writing; and invaluable mentorship and networking in an office committed to serving the needs of the Commonwealth. The intern will be paired with attorney mentors both at the Attorney General’s Office and through the BBA’s DEI Section. In addition, the Fellow will be invited to attend professional development and networking events held by the BBA. Finally, the Fellow will write a reflection piece at the end of the summer that will be published on the BBA’s website and social media pages. The intern may be invited to speak about the program at a BBA or BBF event during or after the internship period.

The AGO’s Summer Legal Internship Program is a 10-week full-time program for students completing their 1L or 2L years of law school. The Summer Legal Internship Program is a structured program of trainings, events, and presentations and will run from June 2, 2025- through August 8, 2025. Considering students’ areas of interest, interns are assigned to a particular division within the office. We anticipate that students will be working in the office with the option of some remote time.

 

Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD)

Through this program, the Fellow will intern at the MCAD in the General Counsel’s Office and will have the opportunity to assist with evaluating legal issues under review by the General Counsel, learn about, observe and assist with MCAD  litigation processes and proceedings, conduct legal research, prepare legal memoranda for the Office of the General Counsel, and assist with the drafting of MCAD policies, procedures, regulations and guidance.

The MCAD internship program gives students firsthand experience working at the state agency charged with protecting the people of Massachusetts from discriminatory treatment through the investigation and adjudication of discrimination complaints as well as discrimination prevention education, outreach, and training.  The Summer 2025 program will likely be a hybrid work experience, with one to two days in MCAD’s Boston office and three days working remotely from home, or another approved remote location.

This program is organized by the Boston Bar Association and funding is made possible by the Boston Bar Foundation.

Massachusetts Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS)

Through this program, the selected law student will participate in the CPCS’s Summer Legal Internship Program at the Youth Advocacy Division (YAD) in Roxbury. YAD Roxbury provides zealous legal representation on delinquency and youthful offender cases using the Positive Youth Development Approach, as well as the same criminal defense skills needed to practice in district and superior courts. The office also provides post dispositional advocacy and support to DYS committed youth, as well as school-based advocacy.

The Fellow will work alongside a team of CPCS attorneys and a social service advocate. Students qualified to appear in court under SJC Rule 3:03 will represent clients in Juvenile Court at arraignments, bail appeals, and pretrial motions, all under the close supervision of experienced attorneys. Out-of-court work includes legal research and writing, case investigation, client meetings, and assisting attorneys with the preparation of trials. Students are also encouraged to attend court as often as they would like to observe motions and trials. During summer 2025, the internship will be held in-person at the office in Nubian Square.

This program is organized by the Boston Bar Association and funding is made possible by the Boston Bar Foundation.

Massachusetts Department of Children & Families (DCF)

Through this program, the Fellow will work in the Office of the General Counsel of DCF. As part of this opportunity, the selected law student will receive substantive work; mentorship, supervision and skills development, particularly in legal research and writing.

DCF strives to protect children from abuse and neglect and, in partnership with families and communities, ensure children are able to grow and thrive in a safe and nurturing environment. DCF’s Office of the General Counsel provides advice and representation to the agency in appeals of care and protection and termination of parental rights cases, employment matters, tort claims and administrative reviews in Superior court. The Fellow will have the opportunity to:

  • Conduct legal research and write internal memoranda of law in matters pertaining to child welfare and adoption law;
  • Assist members of the Office of the General Counsel in preparing appellate briefs, orders, opinions, rules and regulations related to the administration and enforcement of laws within the jurisdiction of the agency, including child welfare and adoption law;
  • Provide legal assistance to other members of the Office of the General Counsel as needed in areas of contracts, administrative law, procurement, confidentiality, public records, legislation and agency policy;
  • Assist members of the Office of the General Counsel on litigation matters facing the agency; and
  • Prepare memorandum and other documents needed for the field on legal procedures and requirements for agency cases which are pending in the courts.

This program is organized by the Boston Bar Association and funding is made possible by the Boston Bar Foundation.

Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)

Through this program, the selected law student will participate in the MassDEP’s Office of General Counsel Summer Legal Internship Program. As part of this unique opportunity, the selected law student will receive substantive work; supervision and skills development, particularly in legal research and writing; and invaluable mentorship and networking in an office committed to serving the needs of the Commonwealth.

The Office of General Counsel (OCG) encourages interns to attend as many OGC events as possible. These include prehearing conferences, adjudicatory hearings, public hearings, mediation sessions, settlement negotiations, legal practice group sessions (discussions among attorneys focused on a particular area of law), and/or meeting with the program staff. MassDEP seeks intern input as to what projects they find interesting, and MassDEP attempts to accommodate interns’ requests to the extent possible.

This program is organized by the Boston Bar Association and funding is made possible by the Boston Bar Foundation.

Massachusetts Executive Office of Veterans Services (EOVS)

Through this program, the selected law student will participate in the EOVS General Counsel’s Office summer internship program. The mission of EOVS is to advocate on behalf of all the Commonwealth’s veterans and provide them with quality support services and to direct an emergency financial assistance program for those veterans and their dependents who are in need.

The General Counsel’s office oversees all EOVS legal matters and provides counsel and advice to the Secretary, senior management, and EOVS staff. You will help the General Counsel with providing legal direction and supervision relating to the statutory program of financial benefits and emergency services provided to eligible Massachusetts veterans under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 115, Sections 1 through 15 and the regulations found in Title 108 of the Code of Massachusetts Regulations. In addition, EOVS oversees the State Operated Veterans Homes in Holyoke and Chelsea. Both Homes, which provide long term care facilities as well as independent living facilities to eligible Massachusetts veterans, grapple with complex legal issues including healthcare law, privacy law, employment and labor matters, probate, guardianship, estate matters, and tort law.

The intern will work closely with EOVS General Counsel and gain excellent experience in legal research and writing, document review and substantive knowledge of and exposure to the practice of administrative law, healthcare law, and public/legislative law. The intern will be responsible for legal research and writing, document drafting, litigation assistance and general legal work as assigned.

This program is organized by the Boston Bar Association and funding is made possible by the Boston Bar Foundation.

Massachusetts Port Authority (MPA)

Through this program, the selected law student will participate in Massport’s Legal Internship Program. As part of this unique opportunity, the Fellow will receive substantive work; supervision and skills development, particularly in legal research and writing; invaluable mentorship and networking, while gaining firsthand experience working at a dynamic quasi-public entity with operations that include Boston-Logan International Airport, Worcester Regional Airport, Hanscom Field, Flynn Cruiseport Boston, Conley Terminal, and Authority-owned property in South Boston, East Boston and Charlestown. 

Massport exists in service of progress and opportunity, connecting Massachusetts and New England to the world, and dedicated to the vibrant neighborhoods around us. The Legal Department advises the Authority in every aspect of the Authority’s operations, including litigation, employment, security, real estate, finance, construction, contracts, environmental and other matters. The Fellow will perform research and other legal assignments in these various areas, gaining valuable experience applicable to both the public and private sector. 

This program is organized by the Boston Bar Association and funding is made possible by the Boston Bar Foundation. 

For more information about the work of the Massachusetts Port Authority, please visit www.massport.com. 

Office of the Inspector General (OIG)

Through this program, the selected law student will participate in the Office of the Inspector General’s (OIG) Summer Legal Internship Program. Legal Interns work under the direction of the OIG’s Office of the General Counsel. Legal Interns will have the opportunity to draft legal research memoranda in various areas of law related to fraud, waste and abuse in the expenditure of public funds as well as law related to the administration of the OIG. Legal Interns may have the opportunity to work with the OIG’s Government Outreach and Public Policy Division, including analyzing legislative matters and attending hearings at the State House. Legal Interns may also have the opportunity to assist the OIG’s investigative divisions if legal issues arise during an investigation, audit or review. Legal Interns should be familiar with online legal research databases and have an interest in public service.

This program is organized by the Boston Bar Association and funding is made possible by the Boston Bar Foundation.

Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office (SCDAO)

Through this program, the selected law student will participate in the SCDAO’s Summer Legal Internship Program. As part of this unique opportunity, the selected law student will receive substantive work; supervision and skills development, particularly in legal research and writing; and invaluable mentorship and networking in an office committed to serving the people of Suffolk County and to making the criminal legal system more equitable, transparent, and responsive.

This program is organized by the Boston Bar Association and funding is made possible by the Boston Bar Foundation.

U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Massachusetts (USBC)

Through this program, the Fellow will intern in Judge Christopher J. Panos’ chambers and will attend in-person trials and hearings at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Boston (depending on public health concerns and the status of court operations at that time). There will also be opportunities to observe other court proceedings remotely or in person.  The internship is currently expected to be in person at least three days a week at the Court in Boston, with one to two days being remote attendance. As part of this unique Fellowship, the selected law student will be provided with the opportunity to work directly with Judge Panos and his chambers staff, observe court proceedings, become familiar with bankruptcy and commercial law, and enhance their legal research and writing skills.

This program is organized by the Boston Bar Association and funding is made possible by the Boston Bar Foundation.

Meet the 2024 Summer Fellows

Boston Copley.

Hear from our Program Alumni

Catherine Garcia Summa headshot.

Leaving the Office and the relationships I developed is difficult, but I am leaving with quite a bit: a greater sense of confidence in myself; a group of mentors who were instrumental in my success this summer and who I will continue to reach out to throughout my career; contacts in numerous government organizations, including the SJC, and friends within the legal community who I am excited to watch do great things.

Catherine Garcia Summa, 2021, UMass Law – Dartmouth  Summer Fellow, Massachusetts Office of the Inspector General

Hear from our Program Alumni

Travis Salters headshot.

Throughout these two months, I worked on six different cases ranging in topics including retirement law, health law, and family law. I wrote memos on questions of statutory construction, drafted motions, participated as a judge in a moot court, and assisted with a multi-state amicus brief. In addition to these meaningful work experiences, I received mentorship, guidance, and teaching from some of the brightest people I’ve ever met.

Travis Salters, 2022, Boston College Law School  Summer Fellow, Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General

Hear from our Program Alumni

Frankly, there aren’t enough lawyers who look like me. One thing I learned is that in the court of law, optics matter. Appearances are paramount in the theater of litigation. Every time I was in the courtroom, I saw the difference my presence made to those defendants especially the ones who looked at me. I saw how their loneliness shifted with a head nod or a grin. I made sure to always see them as fellow members of my community. Not just because that’s what I was taught in class or because we share similar traits, but because as a prosecutor we represent the community and every defendant is included in that representation. In the interest of justice, they matter too.

William D. Merriweather III, 2024, New England Law | Boston Suffolk Country District Attorney’s Office

Hear from our Program Alumni

I believe that this program does an excellent job of creating lifelong connections that I can rely on in my career.

Keanna Joseph, 2024, Northeastern University School of Law Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office

Hear from our Program Alumni

To advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in the legal profession requires a similar charge to expand the profession with varied insights and voices. This requires acknowledging the concerns that hinder Black and Brown Law students from accessing certain legal spaces. Moreover, providing the resources for them to thrive when put in these spaces. The opportunity provided by the DEI Summer Fellowship is pivotal because of the access and the mentors.

George Boateng, 2024, Boston University School of Law Massachusetts Port Authority

2024 Beacon Awards

Proceeds from the Beacon Awards support this program as well as the other diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging programs and initiatives of the BBA.