The Boston Bar Association’s Summer2017
Judicial Internship Program Application
The Boston Bar Association is now accepting applications for interns for placement in its summer 2017 internship program. This unpaid, non-credit* internship provides law students the opportunity to work directly with a judge, observe courtroom proceedings and enhance their legal research and writing skills. In addition, interns partake in professional development seminars and meetings held at the BBA throughout the summer. The program is an initiative of the Boston Bar Association’s Diversity & Inclusion Section and is provided with the cooperation of the Boston Municipal Court, Probate and Family Court Department, Land Court Department, the Massachusetts District Court & Superior Courts, United States Bankruptcy Court, District of Massachusetts, and the Bankruptcy Appellate Panel for the First Circuit.
Applications will be accepted from students who have completed their first or second year of law school, are able to work at least 15 hours per week, and can commit to working at least 8 weeks of the summer.**Some judges request full-time interns; if you are able to work full time, please indicate as such in this application.
Interns are expected to attend BBA enrichment programs during the course of their internship. A full calendar will be available at the outset of the summer to enable students to plan their work and other commitments around these programs.
A mandatory orientation will take place from 6:00pm – 7:30pm on Friday, June 2, 2017.
Applications will be collected and placements will be made on a rolling basis with a deadline of Monday, February 27, 2017. Students are encouraged to indicate placement preferences.
Please email or mail applications as soon as possible, no later than,Monday,February 27, 2017to:
Cassandra Shavney, Public Service CoordinatorBoston Bar Association
16 Beacon Street;
Boston, MA 02108
PLEASE NOTE:
*Students may be able to obtain credit from their law school for participation in the program. Please contact your school’s applicable division or department to inquire about academic credit.
**Interns must comply with the Massachusetts State Courts’ confidentiality and ethical guidelines, which, among other things, preclude any outside legal work, whether paid or unpaid, while participating in the internship program. If applicable, interns must also comply with the Massachusetts State Courts’ guidelines for avoiding potential conflicts, including those that may arise while the intern is looking for future legal employment. Interns must be legally able to work in the United States and are subject to a CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information) background check.
Please contact Cassandra Shavney at the BBA () with any questions about the Program or Application.
SECTION I- Contact Information:
Name: ______Phone: ______
Other Phone: (optional): ______
Mailing Address: ______
______
Date of Birth: ______
Law School: ______
Expected Graduation Year: ______
Primary email: ______
Secondary email (optional): ______
Are you legally authorized to work in the United States? ______
Do you have access to a car for travel to court? ______
SECTION II- Personal Background (OPTIONAL):
Race: ______
Ethnicity: ______
Gender: ______
Sexual Orientation: ______
SECTION III – Availability:
Monday:______# of hoursWednesday:______# of hours
Tuesday:______# of hoursThursday:______# of hours
Friday:______# of hours
Full time ______
Any specific restrictions on start / end date? ______
SECTION IV – Please indicate your placement preference in ranked order. Placements cannot be guaranteed.
_____ Boston Municipal Court(8 divisions, all MBTA-accessible)
Students will have ample opportunity to observe trial and motion practice in the criminal and civil context. The types of criminal cases that may be filed in the Boston Municipal Court Department include most felonies and misdemeanors that do not require a state prison sentence, as well as felonies punishable by a sentence of up to 5 years. The types of civil cases that may be filed in the Boston Municipal Court Department include contract and tort actions in which the likely recovery does not exceed $25,000; small claims cases in which the likely recovery does not exceed $7,000 and small claims jury appeals; summary process/eviction cases; supplementary process (collection on a judgment) cases; mental health matters; abuse prevention/restraining orders and harassment prevention orders; civil motor vehicle violations; and violations of certain city or town ordinances and by-laws.The Boston Municipal Court Department also has jurisdiction to review some government agency actions, such as unemployment compensation appeals and firearms license appeals.
Application requirements:
- Completed application
- Cover letter
- Resume
_____ Probate and Family Court–All placements are in Suffolk or Middlesex Counties.
If you are interested in another county, please indicate here: ______
Placements for students who have taken a family law or wills & trusts course are eligible for placement with the Manager of Legal Research Office. Those who have completed a first year curriculum but not any courses in family law or wills can still intern and will gain familiarity with intake of court filing, the work of the register’s office as well as docketing, administrative, and law clerks. Opportunities to observe court proceedings will be a part of both placements. Students who are able to work up to 15-20 hours/ week will be considered.
The Probate and Family Court Department has jurisdiction over family-related and probate matters such as divorce, paternity, child support, custody, visitation, adoption, termination of parental rights, abuse prevention and wills, estates, trusts, guardianships, conservatorships, and changes of name. The need for assistance is primarily in Suffolk & Middlesex – if you have another county in mind please indicate as such on your application.
Application requirements:
- Completed application
- Cover letter
- Resume
_____ Massachusetts Land Court (located in Boston)
Both 1Ls and 2Ls will be considered for placement. The Land Court has statewide jurisdiction over the registration of title to real property, and foreclosure and redemption of real estate tax liens. The Court shares jurisdiction over matters arising out of decisions by local planning boards and zoning boards of appeal, and over most property matters. The Court also has superintendence authority over the registered land offices in each Registry of Deeds. Students who are able to work full-time will be considered.
Application requirements:
- Completed application
- Cover letter
- Resume
- Unofficial copy of Law School Transcript
- Writing Sample
_____ United States Bankruptcy Court, District of Massachusetts(Generally available for 2L applicants only, but 1Ls will be considered ) ___ Boston ___Worcester ___Springfield
Preference is given to students who have taken or are taking a Bankruptcy Course. Students who are able to work at least 15-20 hours/ week will be considered. Limited placements available.
PLEASE NOTE - Additional application materials are required– please complete this preliminary application and if students are selected, BBA Staff will be in touch with additional forms required by the United States Bankruptcy Court.
Application requirements:
- Completed application
- Cover letter
- Resume
_____ Bankruptcy Appellate Panel for the First Circuit(Boston)
Preference is given to students who have taken or are taking a Bankruptcy Course. Students who are able to work at least 15-20 hours/ week will be considered. Limited placements available.
Application requirements:
- Completed application
- Cover letter
- Resume
- Writing Sample
_____ Massachusetts District Court& Superior Court(LIMITED PLACEMENTS AVAILABLE)
Please indicate countypreference(s):
______
Application requirements:
- Completed application
- Cover letter
- Resume
- Writing Sample
APPLICATION CONTINUES ON NEXT PAGE
SECTION V – Please provide a statementin response to the questions below. For each question, please provide 300 - 500 words (use a separate form if necessary):
- Why do you want to intern for the court(s) to which you are applying? What are your unique experiences that would make you a good candidate for the BBA's Diversity & Inclusion Section's Internship Program? Please provide 300 - 500 words.
- If you are interested in a placement in the Bankruptcy Court or Bankruptcy Appellate Panel, please provide detail as to your specific interests, employment history or applicable coursework.
- If you are interested in a placement in the Land Court, please provide detail as to your specific interests, employment history or applicable coursework.
- If you are interested in the Probate & Family Court placement – please provide detail as to your specific interests, employment history or applicable coursework.
- Is there additional information concerning your background and personal interests that would be helpful to those reviewing your application? (Optional)
- Interns are generally prohibited from conducting any outside legal work, whether paid or unpaid, while participating in the internship program to avoid potential conflicts of interest. If you have accepted another job, internship, or volunteer position for the summer, please describe it in detail. (If Applicable)
SECTION VI - Acknowledgements
By signing below, I acknowledge that I am applying to the program in good faith and will contact the administrator () in the event that I need to withdraw my application.
In the event that I am placed in a state court, I acknowledge that I understand that I must comply with court rules, and where applicable, the confidentiality and ethical guidelines of the Massachusetts State Courts, which, among other things, preclude any outside legal work, whether paid or unpaid, while participating in the internship program. I acknowledge that if I accept a part-time summer job or internship I will notify Cassandra Shavney () as soon as possible to review potential conflicts of interest. I acknowledge that interns must comply with the confidentiality and ethical guidelines of the court with which I am placed.
I further acknowledge that Interns must comply with their court’s guidelines for avoiding potential conflicts, including those that may arise while I am seeking legal employment. I also acknowledge that all placements are subject to a CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information) background check.
______
Signature Date
1