The Massachusetts Superior Court is a statewide court of general jurisdiction, handling both criminal and civil actions. The Superior Court has original jurisdiction in civil actions over $50,000, and in matters where equitable relief is sought. The Court has exclusive original jurisdiction of first degree murder cases and original jurisdiction of all other crimes. The Court has appellate jurisdiction over certain administrative proceedings.
The Court's 81 associate justices sit in 20 courthouses in all 14 counties of the Commonwealth. See Superior Court Locations. The judges rotate among the various courthouse locations every three months, and therefore may change locations during the summer internship period. While a few of the courthouses are accessible by public transportation (e.g. Boston, Salem), a car is required to travel to most of the other courthouses.
Judicial interns typically perform legal research and assist in the preparation of legal research memos, bench memoranda, and draft decisions. Judicial interns may observe courtroom proceedings and engage in discussions with judges and other court staff. Judicial internships are unpaid, but students may receive academic credit. Internships can be full-time or part-time, but at least 15 hours per week is recommended.
Interested students may send their resume, attached to a cover email, to Romeo Camba, Manager of Legal Research Services, at romeo.camba@jud.state.ma.us. The materials will be made available to the judges, and the student will be contacted if a judge is interested. The cover email must specifically identify at least one and no more than three courthouse locations to which the student is willing and able to travel. The cover letter should also specify the range of dates that the student is available and whether the student seeks a full-time or part-time internship.
Please remember that any judicial internship requires a significant commitment of time and effort, and you should not enter into one unless you are willing and able to make such commitment. Judicial interns may not engage in outside legal practice during the internship, or otherwise engage in paid or volunteer activities that may conflict, or create the appearance of conflict, with judicial internship duties. Before starting, those selected as interns must successfully complete the Trial Court HR authorization process, which includes a criminal records check and verification of eligibility to work in the United States.