Providing Experience and Mentorship to Tomorrow’s Lawyers
The BBA Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) 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 Section.
Applying for the Program
The program accepts applications from students at ABA-accredited Massachusetts law schools who have demonstrated a commitment to advancing DEI 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.
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 DEI Section. Participating fellows are expected to work full-time for 10 weeks, and receive a $6,000 stipend for the summer made possible by law firm sponsorships and generous donations to the Boston Bar Foundation (BBF).
Questions? Contact Noah Williams at nwilliams@bostonbar.org.
Please submit your completed application and materials in a single pdf to community@bostonbar.org with the following naming conventions:
Last, First BBA DEI Summer Fellowship – Office
Ex: Williams, Noah BBA DEI Summer Fellowship – COB
Summer 2024 Positions
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.
The application deadline for this Fellowship site has passed.
Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office (MA AGO)
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 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 May 28 through August 2. Taking into account students’ areas of interest, interns are assigned to a particular division within the office. We anticipate that students will be working remotely with the option of some in-office time.
This program is organized by the Boston Bar Association and funding is made possible by the Boston Bar Foundation.
The application deadline for this Fellowship site has passed.
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 strategy, prepare discovery requests and responses, interview witnesses, conduct legal research, and draft legal documents.
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 2024 program is expected to run from June 3rd, 2024 through August 9th, 2024 and 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.
The application deadline for this Fellowship site has passed.
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 2024, 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.
UPDATE: The application deadline for this position has been extended; applications are now due no later than 9:00am on Friday, March 8.
To apply, download and fill out the form, then email to community@bostonbar.org.
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.
The application deadline for this Fellowship site has passed.
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.
The application deadline for this Fellowship site has passed.
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.
Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible with a final application deadline of 9:00 AM on March 29th, 2024.
To apply, download and fill out the form, then email to community@bostonbar.org.
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.
The application deadline for this Fellowship site has passed.
Office of the Inspector General (OIG)
Through this program, the selected law student will participate in the OIG’s Summer Legal Internship Program. Legal Interns work under the direction of the OIG’s Legal Division. 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 Policy and Government 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.
The application deadline for this Fellowship site has passed.
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.
The application deadline for this Fellowship site has passed.
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.
The application deadline for this Fellowship site has passed.
Reflections from our 2023 DEI Summer Fellows
2023 Beacon Awards
Proceeds from the Beacon Awards support this program as well as the other diversity, equity and inclusion programs and initiatives of the BBA.