The mission of the Supreme Judicial Court is to promote the rule of law and foster public trust by leading an independent judiciary that assures every person equal access to the fair, timely, and impartial resolution of disputes in courts managed with efficiency and professionalism. The Supreme Judicial Court is the highest appellate court in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and is comprised of a Chief Justice and six Associate Justices.
The SJC offers judicial internship programs during the fall, spring, and summer. The programs offer an invaluable learning opportunity for selected law students and include trainings, events, and presentations. While here, students develop their legal skills and perform substantive work that contributes to the mission of the court. Please note that our internship positions are unpaid.
The internship programs are designed for law school students who have completed one or two years of coursework (two years is preferable). Applicants should demonstrate superior academic achievement, an interest in legal research and writing, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively. Interns are expected to be available to participate in the program for at least 15 hours per week, and applicants are encouraged to explore full time internship availability where possible.
The next programs for which applications will be accepted are for summer and fall of 2026.
- Summer 2026 Internship: The application period for a Summer 2026 internship will open on January 16, 2026 and close at 5:00 pm on February 20, 2026.
- Fall Semester 2026 Internship: The application period for a Fall Semester 2026 internship will open on January 16, 2026 and close at 5:00 pm on March 27, 2026.
The Supreme Judicial Court is an equal opportunity employer and encourages law school students from all backgrounds to apply.
Application process
Law school students who are interested in an internship may apply by submitting one set of the following materials:
- Cover letter
- Indicate clearly at the top of your cover letter whether you are applying exclusively for a summer or fall internship, or whether you would like to be considered for either term
- Resume
- Law school transcript
- A brief writing sample (5-8 pages)
Application materials should be submitted in a single pdf to blanca.tosado@jud.state.ma.us. The subject line should state "Internship Application" and specify whether you are applying for Summer or Fall Semester (for those open to internships for either term, please note in your subject line you are applying for "summer/fall").
Applications will be considered on a rolling basis so you are encouraged to submit your materials early in the application period. Interviews will be conducted by chambers of individual judges interested in hiring particular internship candidates.
Law schools offering academic credits or stipends for judicial internships may have different timelines and procedures for the submission of application materials to the law school. Applicants should contact their internship coordinators about the submission of their materials to the Supreme Judicial Court. Students at Northeastern University School of Law should continue to follow their Co-op calendar.