Student Practitioners

Review this site to determine information for Certified Law Student Practitioners, including eligibility (academic and practical), to understand the requirements for Certification (attorney supervision), to acquire information about certified law students' scope of practice, and, to acquire directions for applying for LSPC with the Supreme Judicial Court.

Summary

S.J.C. Rule governing Law Student Practitioner Certification in part states the intention for Certification is to, "To cultivate knowledge and competency in the practice of law and promote public services and access to justice...," and continues in support of that, "...certain qualified and supervised law students amd recent law school graduates...," may appear as Certified Law Student Practitioners (LSPC) on... "behalf of the Commonwealth; any subdivision, municipality, or agency of the Commonwealth; indigent criminal defendants; and indigent parties in civil proceedings."

In addition to studying the Rule, review this site to determine eligibility (academic and practical), to understand the requirements for Certification (attorney supervision), to acquire information about certified law students' scope of practice, and, to acquire directions for applying for LSPC with the Supreme Judicial Court. 

Eligibility for Certification as a Law Student Practitioner

Law students may be eligible for certification as a Law Student Practitioner provided that the law student meets each of the listed requirements:

• Completed first year of law studies; and, 
• Completed or not yet completed two-thirds of law school studies; and,
• Completed legal research and writing; and 
• Completed or enrolled in law school courses or clinical instruction programs¹; and,
• Supervised (directly or indirectly) by an attorney; and,
• Affiliated with one of the below organizations; and,
  • the law school clinical program; or 
  • agency, entity, municipality, or subdivision of the Commonwealth; or
  • an organization providing legal services to indigent persons; or,
  • law firm providing pro bono services to indigent persons.
• Affirmed their familiarity with the Massachusetts Rules of Professional Conduct, the Massachusetts Rules of Civil Procedure, the Massachusetts Rules of Criminal Procedure, and the provisions of S.J.C. Rule 3:03; and, 
• Possesses the character, legal ability, and training.

Applying for Certification as a Law Student Practitioner

Applying for Law Student Certification requires that an Application for Law Student Certification is filed with the Supreme Judicial Court Clerk for the County of Suffolk.

The Application asks for:

• Specific academic standing, including expected date of graduation.
• Supervising Attorney and attorney affiliation
• Start Date² and End Date

The dean or deans’ designee of the attending law school validates, signs, and dates a completed Application. The completed application is filed with the Supreme Judicial Court Clerk for the County of Suffolk via an attachment to email [e-mail].

Certifying a Law Student Practitioner

The Application is received, reviewed, and, if eligible, recorded as certified Law Student Practitioner. The Law Student Practitioner Certification (LSPC) is assigned a case number (SP-2026-####). The law student, law school dean and supervising attorney are notified by email of LSPC.

Law Student Practitioner Certification Scope of Practice

The scope of the practice for a certified law student practitioner strictly depends on a combination of conditions:

• What percentage of law school is complete; and,
• Which courses are completed or are enrolled; and,
• Which type of matters are practiced (civil or criminal); and, 
• Which Courts the law student intends to appear; and,
• Which type of supervision is required.

Below provides a usable table to filter by Court, Type of Supervision, Type of Matter  and Requirements for the law school and law student to determine the appropriate placement.

Courts / Agencies	Supervision	Type of Matter	Requirements
Appeals Court	Direct Supervision	As conditioned by Rule	Certified as a Law Student Practitioner with a Notice of Appearance; or,  By Motion submitted the attorney with the pending matter.
Boston Municipal Court (BMC), the District Court (DC), the Housing Court (HC), the Juvenile Court (JC), the Land Court (LC), and the Probate and Family Court (PC).	Direct Supervision	Civil Matters	Enrolled  or completed a course in civil procedure; and, Enrolled  or completeda clinical program instructing civil procedure.
BMC, DC, HC, JC, LC, and PC.	General Supervision	Criminal Matters	Completed 2/3 of law school studies, and, Completed a course in criminal procedure; or,  Completed a clinical program instructing criminal procedure.
BMC, DC, HC, JC, LC, and PC.	Direct Supervision	Criminal Matters	Enrolled or completed a law school criminal clinical program; and  Enrolled or completedcourse in criminal procedure; or,  Enrolled or completed a clinical program instructing criminal procedure.
BMC, DC, HC, JC, LC, and PC.	General Supervision	Civil matters	Completed 2/3 of law school studies, and, Completed a course in civil procedure
Superior Court	Direct supervision	Criminal matters	Completed 2/3 of law school studies; and Enrolled or completed a course in criminal procedure; or, Enrolled or completed a clinical program instructing criminal procedure
Superior Court3	Direct Supervision	Civil Matters	Completed a course in civil procedure; and, Enrolled or completed a clinical program instructing civil procedure
Supreme Judicial Court	Direct Supervision	As Conditioned by Rule	Certified as a Law Student Practitioner and files a Motion for Leave To Appear 30 days prior to the oral argument.

SJC Rule 3:03

See Supreme Judicial Court Rule 3:03.

FAQs Regarding Certification of Law Student Practitioners (LSPC)

The following frequently asked questions are intended to provide general information for typical inquiries about Law Student Practitioner Certification (LSPC) processes.

Can I appear in Massachusetts Appeals Court?

Yes, provided all requirements are met and a Motion for the appearance is filed with that Court.

Can I appear in Supreme Judicial Court?

Yes, provided all requirements are met.

Can I apply for law student practitioner certification after my certification expires?

Yes.  File a new Application.

Can I apply for law student practitioner certification before I know if I am awarded an employment opportunity? 

Yes.  You can file an application but the effective date begins with your employment start date.

Can I apply for law student practitioner certification before I start my second year? 

No. You can file an application within two weeks prior to you enrolling in the second year’s required courses.

Can I apply for law student practitioner certification before the start of a clinical program or course?

No. An application can be filed two weeks prior to the Beginning Date of the program or course.

Can I apply for law student practitioner certification between law school semesters? 

Yes.  You can file an application ONLY if you meet the requirements.  The certification is ONLY effective on the Beginning Date.

Can I apply for law student practitioner certification from a law school outside of Massachusetts?

Yes. Law Student Practitioner Certification is reciprocal provided the other states’ student practice rule is equivalent and applicable.

Can I apply for law student practitioner certification without a supervising attorney?

No.

Can I continue my law student practitioner certification after I graduate?

Yes. ONLY if your Certification is active and you apply to sit for the first available bar exam after graduation.

Do I notify the SJC that I intend to file for an upcoming Bar Exam?

Yes. You must notify the SJC if you filed for an upcoming bar exam via email: [e-mail]

Do I receive any form of Law Student Practitioner Certification identification?

No. The notice provided via email is the only document evidencing a law student practitioner certification. 

Does my Certification expire on my end date? 

Yes. The end date determines when the Certification expires.

Does my certification stay in effect between law school semesters?

Your Certification may stay or may expire depending on the scope of practice. Speak with your Law School.

How do I file an appearance?

Speak with the supervising attorney or call that clerk of the court

How do I know if my certification is active or expired?

Look at the notice provided by the SJC or email: [e-mail]

How do I know what type of supervision I will need?

Supervision is determined by completed courses and programs. Discuss this with your law school and supervising attorney. 

How do I update my current certification?

Send an email detailing your certification number (SP-yyyy-####) with the updated details to: [e-mail] 

How long does my law student practitioner certification stay active after I graduate?

So long as you have passed the first available bar exam, your Certification will remain active until you are an attorney or for an additional six months (whichever is sooner).

Is there any limit to how many times I can be certified as a Law Student Practitioner?

No. 

What do I need to be Certified as a Law Student Practitioner?

1. Enrolled or completed the second year of law school.
2. Enrolled or completed specific law school courses.
3. Associated/affiliated with a law school program, agency or a specific legal services program.
4. A supervising attorney.
5. Knowledge of Rules and Procedures.
6. Completed Application filed with the Clerk’s office.

What if I do not know my start date or my end date?

The Certification becomes effective on your start date. Speak with your law school or supervising attorney.

What is the definition of current year of study?

Currently enrolled and attending 2^nd, 3^rd, etc. year of study

What is the difference between Direct and General supervision?

Direct supervision requires that your supervising attorney is physically present with you for any appearances.

General supervision requires that your supervising attorney be available to you for any appearances. 

When does a law student practitioner certification expire?

1. At the Ending Date of the affiliation/association with the specific law school program, agency or specific legal services program.
2. If there is a law school academic issue.
3. After graduation but could continue if applying for the next available bar examination.
4. After not passing the next available bar examination.
5. At admission to a Bar or within six months of passing the next available bar exam.

When does my Certification end?

Your Certification ends (expires) on the Ending Date. 

When does my Certification start?

Your Certification starts (is effective) on the Beginning Date.

Who can complete the Application for Certification as a Law Student Practitioner?

Any interested party (school, student) can fill out the application. But the Law School designee must sign and date the Application.

1. Evidence or trial practice, Legal ethics or professional responsibility, and/or, clinical programs including those subjects
2. Must be within the presently enrolled school year.
3. Review the Rule to determine which specific criminal matters are applicable.