Human Rights Internship Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Public Defender Division (PDD) of CPCS is seeking applicants for Summer 2026 internship positions across the Commonwealth.  We are interested in law students (both with and without SJC Rule 3:03 Certification), graduate students, and undergraduate students for opportunities in the Public Defender Division.  

We fight for equal justice and human dignity by supporting our clients in achieving their legal and life goals. We zealously advocate for the rights of individuals and promote

just public policy to protect the rights of all.

Our Values

 Courage   •   Accountability   •   Respect   •  Excellence

We stand with our Clients and the Community in the fight for Justice. We are dedicated to providing zealous advocacy, community-oriented defense, and the protection of fundamental constitutional and human rights. Our staff across the Commonwealth embodies a diverse group of people from different backgrounds, experiences, abilities, and perspectives.  It is through these differences in age, ethnicity, geographic origin, race, faith, religion, and progressive values, that we are able to best serve our clients.  Through our internship program we seek to hire, develop, and hopefully retain talented people from all backgrounds. We strongly encourage individuals from non-traditional backgrounds, historically marginalized, or underrepresented groups to apply.

The clients we represent are diverse across every context imaginable and bring many unique cultural dimensions to the matters we address. This reality creates a critical need for CPCS attorneys to be culturally competent and able to work well with people of different races, ethnicities, genders and/or sexual orientation identities, abilities, and limited English proficiency, among other protected characteristics.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION MISSION STATEMENT

CPCS is committed to protecting the fundamental constitutional and human rights of our assigned clients through zealous advocacy, community-oriented defense, and the fullness of excellent legal representation.  We are dedicated to building and maintaining strong professional relationships, while striving to accept, listen to and respect the diverse circumstances of each client, as we dedicate ourselves to meeting their individual needs.  It is our CPCS mission to achieve these goals, and in furtherance thereof, we embrace and endorse diversity, equity and inclusion as our core values as we maintain a steadfast commitment to: (1) Ensure that CPCS management and staff members represent a broad range of human differences and experience; (2) Provide a work climate that is respectful and supports success; and (3) Promote the dignity and well-being of all staff members. CPCS leadership is responsible for ensuring equity, diversity, and inclusion. The ability to achieve these goals with any level of certainty is ultimately the responsibility each member of the CPCS community.

AGENCY OVERVIEW

The Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) is the state agency in Massachusetts responsible for providing an attorney when the state or federal constitution or a state statute requires the appointment of an attorney for a person who cannot afford to retain one. The agency provides representation in criminal, delinquency, youthful offender, child welfare, guardianship, mental health, sexually dangerous person, and sex offender registry cases, as well as in appeals and post-conviction and post-judgment proceedings related to those matters.

PUBLIC DEFENDER DIVISION OVERVIEW

Public Defender Division (PDD) Trial Offices

Interns will work closely with attorneys, Social Services Advocates, and Investigators by providing legal representation and advocacy to indigent clients who are charged with criminal offenses in both the District and Superior Courts. Trial offices will provide interns with a wide range of opportunities, including, but not limited to, legal research and writing, arraignment and bail advocacy, second seating trials, pretrial investigations including visiting crime scenes, locating and interviewing witnesses.

Public Defender Division Appeals Unit

The Public Defender Division has a statewide Appeals Unit, based in the Boston office, whose lawyers provide appellate advocacy in cases tried by Public Defender Division attorneys.  Interns will assist skilled Appeals Unit attorneys represent clients before the Massachusetts Appeals Court and the Supreme Judicial Court, and occasionally in Federal Court.  Interns will have opportunities to do a great deal of legal research and writing, including drafting legal memos and sections/entire briefs, and will be encouraged to observe oral arguments.

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS

Interested candidates should have a demonstrated commitment to the principle of zealous advocacy, community-oriented defense, and the protection of fundamental constitutional and human rights.

Candidates must also:

• Have access to reliable transportation in order to travel to courts, clients, and investigation locations that are not easily accessible by public transportation; and,
• Have access to a personal computer with home internet access sufficient to work remotely.

APPLICATION INFORMATION

Interested applicants should submit (1) Resume, (2) Personal Mission Statement (no more than two pages detailing your interest in the internship, your personal qualities and background, and what draws you to this work, and (3) Writing Sample. 

Applicants should specify preferred office locations for the Summer 2026 Internship Program.  

Applications received prior to January 10, 2026 will be given preference. 

INTERNSHIP FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

CPCS has a limited number of paid internship opportunities for Summer 2026.  In order to be considered, applicants may complete the following application: https://www.publiccounsel.net/hr/cpcs-intern-scholarship-program/

For students who are not selected for a paid internship, CPCS can work with students to support the receipt of externship credit or outside funding.

OVERVIEW OF REGIONS AND PDD OFFICE LOCATIONS

SOUTHEAST REGION

The Southeast Region is home to an ethnically, racially, and linguistically diverse population of immigrants dating back to the 19th century whaling industry. Brockton known as the “City of Champions” because it was home to former undefeated heavyweight boxing champion, Rocky Marciano, and middleweight boxing champion Marvin Hagler. Fall River was once the leading textile manufacturer center in the country and maintains the world’s largest collection of World War II naval vessels at Battleship Cove. New Bedford is home to the Whaling National Historic Park.  Hyannis is known as the gateway to esteemed Cape Cod and is home to the iconic Kennedy family compound. The area offers beautiful sand beaches, numerous state parks, and quaint towns with picturesque harbors.  

The Southeast Region of CPCS includes Public Defender Division office locations in Brockton, Hyannis, Fall River, and New Bedford. 

NORTHEAST REGION

The Northeast Region is filled with history. Framingham is known as the location of an annual gathering spot for members of the abolitionist movement in the years prior to the American Civil War.  Lawrence and Lowell are cities known for their textile manufacturing, many of these historic manufacturing sites are preserved by the National Park Service. Lowell is known as the birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution. During the Cambodian genocide, the city took in an influx of refugees, leading to Lowell having the second largest Cambodian-American population in the country.  During the American Revolution, the citizenry of Malden were heavily involved in the early resistance of the oppression of Britain and was the first town to petition the colonial government to withdraw from the British Empire.  Malden less than 5 miles northwest of Boston and conveniently accessible from the Orange Line.  Salem is one of the most significant seaports in early American history and it is well-known for its role as the location of the Salem Witch Trials.

The Northeast Region of CPCS includes Public Defender Division office locations in Framingham, Lawrence, Lowell, Malden and Salem.

WEST REGION

The West Region has a diverse topography, including the Berkshire Mountains, the Connecticut River Valley, and Worcester County, the largest county in the Commonwealth.  The region is home to 22 colleges/universities which is the 2nd highest concentration of higher learning institutions aside from the Boston Metropolitan area. The area has long been patronized by artists and is recognized for the Eric Carle Museum, Tanglewood, and Norman Rockwell Museum. The area is famous for all of its “first innovations” including basketball, volleyball, American gas-powered automobile, motorcycle company, commercial radio station, use of integrated parts in manufacturing, railroad sleep car, and the American dictionary.  The city of Worcester became a center for the American Revolution that was recognized for his industry and as a result attracted many immigrants of European descent. The city of Springfield was designated by George Washington for an Armory that became the site of Shay’s Rebellion and is now a national park and site to the world’s largest collection of historic American firearms. The city played a pivotal role in the Civil War as a stop for the Underground Railroad. 

The West Region of CPCS includes Public Defender Division office locations in Worcester, Holyoke, Pittsfield, Springfield, and Northampton.

CENTRAL REGION

The Central Region is famous for its rich history. Boston is not only the capital of the Commonwealth but one of the oldest municipalities in the United States and the scene of several significant events in the American Revolution, such as the Boston Massacre, the Boston Tea Party, the Battle of Bunker Hill, and the Siege of Boston. It was a port and manufacturing hub and a center of education and culture, as well as home to the first public park, public school, and subway system in the United States. The area is home to professional sports teams, including Boston Bruins, Boston Celtics, and the Boston Red Sox.  Roxbury is known to serve as the “heart of black culture in Boston” and is home to an extremely diverse population. The city of Quincy is recognized as the “City of Presidents” as it was the birthplace of John Adams, and his son John Quincy Adams, as well as, John Hancock, who was president of the Continental Congress and first signor of the Declaration of Independence, and first and third governor of Massachusetts. This city was home to the first commercial railroad in the United States and had a thriving granite industry. 

The Central Region of CPCS includes Public Defender Division office locations in Boston, Roxbury, and Quincy. The Public Defender Division Appeals Unit office is located in Boston.

EEO Statement

The Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, sex, disability, religion, age, veteran or military status, genetic information, gender identity, or sexual orientation as required by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and other applicable federal and state statutes and organizational policies.  Applicants who have questions about equal employment opportunity or who need reasonable accommodations can contact the Chief Human Resources Officer, Sandra DeBow-Huang at sdebow@publiccounsel.net