The Massachusetts Appeals Court is committed to doing justice under the law by rendering thoughtful, well-reasoned appellate decisions in a timely manner, treating all those who come before the court fairly and impartially. It is a court of general appellate jurisdiction, with a large caseload in both criminal and civil matters. Created in 1972, the Appeals Court is comprised of a Chief Justice and twenty-four Associate Justices.
Opportunities for unpaid judicial internships are available to law school students who have completed one or two years of coursework. (Two years is preferable.) Applicants should demonstrate superior academic achievement, an ability to work independently, and an interest in legal research and writing. Justices have found that those interns who commit to working a minimum of 15 hours per week, typically spread over 3 days, have the most meaningful internship experiences.
The Appeals Court is an equal opportunity employer and encourages persons from all backgrounds to apply.
Application process
Law school students who are interested in a judicial internship may apply by submitting one set of the following materials:
- Cover letter
- Resume
- Law school transcript
- A brief writing sample (5-8 pages)
Application materials should be submitted to LCapplications@appct.state.ma.us. The subject line should state "Internship Application."
- Applications for a Summer 2024 internship (to begin in late May/early June) should be submitted during the month of February 2024.
- Applications for a Fall 2024 internship (to begin in late August/early September) should be submitted during the month of March 2024.
- Applications for a Spring 2025 internship (to begin in January) should be submitted during the month of October 2024.
- Applications for a Summer 2025 internship (to begin in late May/early June) should be submitted during the month of February 2025.
Following the end of each submission period, interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis by individual Judges who are 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 Appeals Court. Students at Northeastern University School of Law should continue to follow their Co-op calendar.