Are you interested in being a Land Court Legal Intern? Learn about the Land Court’s Judicial Internships and how to apply.
- This page, Land Court Judicial Internship information, is offered by
- Land Court
- Massachusetts Court System
Land Court Judicial Internship information
Contacts
Land Court
Online
Recorder's Office:
Email Land Court at landcourt.recoffice@jud.state.ma.us
The Details
Who we are
The Land Court is a court of limited jurisdiction and is one of seven trial court departments across the Commonwealth. It offers specialized expertise to resolve disputes involving the ownership, development, and use of real property. In addition to exclusive jurisdiction over land registration and confirmation, and tax lien foreclosures, the Land Court also has concurrent jurisdiction over a wide range of real estate-related matters, including zoning and subdivision cases, specific performance of contracts regarding real estate, and petitions for partition of real property.
What you will do as a Land Court Legal Intern
Land Court legal internships offer the opportunity to work closely with the judges and their judicial law clerks. Legal interns are often tasked with drafting bench memoranda, orders, and decisions, allowing them to apply and improve their legal research and writing skills. Legal interns also attend court hearings to assist the judge, observe, and take notes.
Once an internship offer is extended and accepted, each legal intern is assigned to work with a specific judge. The Land Court operates on an individual calendar system, with one judge assigned to handle a case from the date of the filing of the complaint to final judgment. The Land Court has statewide jurisdiction and does not have regions or rotations. Legal interns work at the Land Court in the Suffolk County Courthouse at Three Pemberton Square in Boston.
How to apply
The Land Court offers three legal internship cycles each year:
- Winter/Spring: January–April/May
- Summer: May–August
- Fall: August–November/December
The winter/spring and fall internship cycles are part-time and require a minimum of 15 hours per week. The summer cycle is full-time. We understand this is an unpaid internship, and are flexible in working with interns to determine a satisfactory schedule. Full time co-op students have a slightly different schedule. The Court accepts applications from second-and third-year law students in all cycles, and rising 2Ls during the summer cycle.
To apply, email an application to the Land Court Judicial Secretary at landcourtlobby@jud.state.ma.us. Any questions concerning the application process may be directed to this email address as well. Applications must be sent in PDF format and include:
- a cover letter addressed to the “Justices of the Land Court”;
- a resume;
- a law school transcript; and
- a writing sample of no more than ten pages.
All correspondence should be sent to the judicial secretary and not to individual judges. No hard copy applications, please. Judges review all applications and select individual students to interview.
A demonstrated interest in real estate, property law, zoning, development, or other related areas is preferred.
Contact
Address
3 Pemberton Square, 5th floor, Boston, MA 02108
Online
Recorder's Office:
Email Land Court at landcourt.recoffice@jud.state.ma.us
Fax
(617) 788-8951