Law Fellow
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Law Fellow
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
State government provides public services
ALL APPLICANTS MUST APPLY DIRECTLY THROUGH THE TRIAL COURT EMPLOYMENT PAGE LINKED BELOW.
IF YOU APPLY THROUGH THE APPLY ONLINE LINK ABOVE ON THIS MASS CAREERS PAGE YOU WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POSITION.
PLEASE USE THE FOLLOWING LINK TO APPLY (CUT AND PASTE INTO YOUR BROWSER IF THE EMBEDDED LINK DOES NOT WORK)\:
You have successfully applied to the position when you receive an email from the Massachusetts Trial Court.
If you only receive an email from MassCareers, you HAVE NOT successfully applied. Please call 617-742-8575 with any questions.
Departmental Mission Statement\:The Superior Court, the primary trial court for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, is committed to delivering high quality justice in a timely and fair manner in accordance with the rule of law.
ORGANIZATIONAL PROFILE\:
http\://www.mass.gov/courts/superiorcourt/index.html
Notes\:
Position Summary\: The Superior Court seeks entry-level attorneys (those with less than two years of post-law school experience) to fill up to six positions in its Law Fellowship Program. Law Fellows assist the Justices of the Court by completing research and writing assignments involving both the legal issues within the Superior Court’s broad civil and criminal jurisdiction and aspects of court procedure. Law Fellows work alongside permanent Research Attorneys, who also assist the Justices through legal research and writing assignments. The Fellowship Program provides a great opportunity for graduating law students and recent graduates to further develop their legal research and writing skills and gain valuable knowledge and experience in a broad range of civil and criminal matters. The Fellowship also serves as a potential pathway for outstanding Law Fellows to seek permanent Research Attorney positions.
Law Fellows serve a term of one year running through the end of August 2028, with the possibility of a second-year term. The anticipated start date is Monday, August 30, 2027, subject to the availability of the successful candidates.
Law Fellows may be based primarily in Boston, Springfield, Woburn, Fall River or other Superior Courthouse locations, depending, in part, on the successful candidates’ preferences. See https\://www.mass.gov/orgs/superior-court/locations. Law Fellows must be willing and able to travel and assist judges in other courthouses throughout the state. Under Trial Court policy, hybrid office/remote work arrangements are available, subject to conditions and requirements. Typically, new Law Fellows start full-time in-person to learn the job and establish themselves.
The Superior Court invites Fellowship applications from graduating law students and recent graduates (those with less than two years of post-law school experience) who possess excellent legal research, writing, analytical, and communication skills, and who can work independently, maintain high productivity, and produce quality work product.
Supervision Received\: Work is performed under the guidance and supervision of the Chief Justice, the Associate Justices, and the Deputy Legal Counsel - Research Services.
Duties\: Law Fellows assists judges in matters before the court by\:
• Attending motion hearings, trials, and other courtroom proceedings, as needed
• Discussing legal issues.
• Performing careful and accurate legal research and analysis.
• Clearly and concisely conveying results of research and analysis, orally and in writing.
• Preparing well-written and error-free legal research memoranda, bench memoranda, and draft decisions.
• Completing assignments in a timely manner and within deadlines established by judges.
• Performing related tasks as required.
ALL APPLICANTS MUST APPLY DIRECTLY THROUGH THE TRIAL COURT EMPLOYMENT PAGE LINKED BELOW.
IF YOU APPLY THROUGH THE APPLY ONLINE LINK ABOVE ON THIS MASS CAREERS PAGE YOU WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POSITION.
PLEASE USE THE FOLLOWING LINK TO APPLY (CUT AND PASTE INTO YOUR BROWSER IF THE EMBEDDED LINK DOES NOT WORK)\:
You have successfully applied to the position when you receive an email from the Massachusetts Trial Court.
If you only receive an email from MassCareers, you HAVE NOT successfully applied. Please call 617-742-8575 with any questions.
Departmental Mission Statement\:The Superior Court, the primary trial court for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, is committed to delivering high quality justice in a timely and fair manner in accordance with the rule of law.
ORGANIZATIONAL PROFILE\:
http\://www.mass.gov/courts/superiorcourt/index.html
Notes\:
Position Summary\: The Superior Court seeks entry-level attorneys (those with less than two years of post-law school experience) to fill up to six positions in its Law Fellowship Program. Law Fellows assist the Justices of the Court by completing research and writing assignments involving both the legal issues within the Superior Court’s broad civil and criminal jurisdiction and aspects of court procedure. Law Fellows work alongside permanent Research Attorneys, who also assist the Justices through legal research and writing assignments. The Fellowship Program provides a great opportunity for graduating law students and recent graduates to further develop their legal research and writing skills and gain valuable knowledge and experience in a broad range of civil and criminal matters. The Fellowship also serves as a potential pathway for outstanding Law Fellows to seek permanent Research Attorney positions.
Law Fellows serve a term of one year running through the end of August 2028, with the possibility of a second-year term. The anticipated start date is Monday, August 30, 2027, subject to the availability of the successful candidates.
Law Fellows may be based primarily in Boston, Springfield, Woburn, Fall River or other Superior Courthouse locations, depending, in part, on the successful candidates’ preferences. See https\://www.mass.gov/orgs/superior-court/locations. Law Fellows must be willing and able to travel and assist judges in other courthouses throughout the state. Under Trial Court policy, hybrid office/remote work arrangements are available, subject to conditions and requirements. Typically, new Law Fellows start full-time in-person to learn the job and establish themselves.
The Superior Court invites Fellowship applications from graduating law students and recent graduates (those with less than two years of post-law school experience) who possess excellent legal research, writing, analytical, and communication skills, and who can work independently, maintain high productivity, and produce quality work product.
Supervision Received\: Work is performed under the guidance and supervision of the Chief Justice, the Associate Justices, and the Deputy Legal Counsel - Research Services.
Duties\: Law Fellows assists judges in matters before the court by\:
• Attending motion hearings, trials, and other courtroom proceedings, as needed
• Discussing legal issues.
• Performing careful and accurate legal research and analysis.
• Clearly and concisely conveying results of research and analysis, orally and in writing.
• Preparing well-written and error-free legal research memoranda, bench memoranda, and draft decisions.
• Completing assignments in a timely manner and within deadlines established by judges.
• Performing related tasks as required.
Minimum Requirements\: These are the minimum requirements necessary to apply for the position of Law Fellow\:
• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school as of the start of the Fellowship.
• Massachusetts residency for the entire duration of the Fellowship.
• Excellent legal writing and communication skills.
• Excellent legal research and analytical skills.
• High professional and ethical standards.
• Ability and willingness to travel to courthouses in the Commonwealth as assigned.
• Experience and knowledge in using personal computers, word processing software such as Microsoft Word, and legal research services such as Lexis and Westlaw.
• Demonstrated ability to follow written and oral instructions.
• Demonstrated ability to manage, prioritize, and complete simultaneous assignments from various judges.
• Demonstrated ability to work well independently while maintaining productivity and demonstrating good judgment.
• Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines and otherwise complete assignments in a timely manner.
• Demonstrated ability to work well with others in a professional setting, including judges, managers, court staff, research attorneys, and other law fellows.
• Genuine commitment to serving the full term of the Fellowship.
Additional Preferred Qualifications\:
• Substantial legal research and writing experience, including current or prior judicial clerkship or internship experience in a state or federal court. Judicial clerkship experience is defined as paid, full-time, post-graduate employment as a law clerk for a court or judge.
• Membership in the Massachusetts Bar as of the start of the Fellowship or currently applying for membership.
• Familiarity with legal research resources beyond Westlaw and Lexis.
• Demonstrated commitment to government or public service, particularly within the Judicial branch.
Please read all instructions carefully before starting the Trial Court online application process. Applications that do not comply with the instructions may be screened out. In particular\:
• Employment Application. Applicants must complete the online Employment Application. Answer each question fully and accurately. Please do not use "see resume" or a similar response.
• Resumes. Applicants must upload a Word file or PDF of their resume. The uploaded resume should *not* include references.
• Cover Letters. Applicants must submit a formal cover letter, uploaded as a Word file or PDF. The cover letter should be addressed to The Justices of the Superior Court, Suffolk Superior Courthouse, 3 Pemberton Square, 13th Floor, Boston, MA 02108.
• References/Letters of Recommendation. Please do not submit references or letters of recommendation with the online application or by contacting any employees of the Superior Court. References and letters of recommendation may be requested or accepted later in the hiring process.
• Additional Materials. Selected applicants may be asked to provide a response to a writing assessment exercise and official law school transcript soon after the application review process begins. Applicants should be prepared to submit them when requested, but not before then.
Inquiries may be emailed to Rafael Muñoz, Deputy Legal Counsel - Research Services, at [email protected] (no phone calls please).
Applications are due Sunday, November 29, 2026, by 11\:55pm.
Employment with the Trial Court is contingent upon passage of a criminal record check.
Minimum Requirements\: These are the minimum requirements necessary to apply for the position of Law Fellow\:
• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school as of the start of the Fellowship.
• Massachusetts residency for the entire duration of the Fellowship.
• Excellent legal writing and communication skills.
• Excellent legal research and analytical skills.
• High professional and ethical standards.
• Ability and willingness to travel to courthouses in the Commonwealth as assigned.
• Experience and knowledge in using personal computers, word processing software such as Microsoft Word, and legal research services such as Lexis and Westlaw.
• Demonstrated ability to follow written and oral instructions.
• Demonstrated ability to manage, prioritize, and complete simultaneous assignments from various judges.
• Demonstrated ability to work well independently while maintaining productivity and demonstrating good judgment.
• Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines and otherwise complete assignments in a timely manner.
• Demonstrated ability to work well with others in a professional setting, including judges, managers, court staff, research attorneys, and other law fellows.
• Genuine commitment to serving the full term of the Fellowship.
Additional Preferred Qualifications\:
• Substantial legal research and writing experience, including current or prior judicial clerkship or internship experience in a state or federal court. Judicial clerkship experience is defined as paid, full-time, post-graduate employment as a law clerk for a court or judge.
• Membership in the Massachusetts Bar as of the start of the Fellowship or currently applying for membership.
• Familiarity with legal research resources beyond Westlaw and Lexis.
• Demonstrated commitment to government or public service, particularly within the Judicial branch.
Please read all instructions carefully before starting the Trial Court online application process. Applications that do not comply with the instructions may be screened out. In particular\:
• Employment Application. Applicants must complete the online Employment Application. Answer each question fully and accurately. Please do not use "see resume" or a similar response.
• Resumes. Applicants must upload a Word file or PDF of their resume. The uploaded resume should *not* include references.
• Cover Letters. Applicants must submit a formal cover letter, uploaded as a Word file or PDF. The cover letter should be addressed to The Justices of the Superior Court, Suffolk Superior Courthouse, 3 Pemberton Square, 13th Floor, Boston, MA 02108.
• References/Letters of Recommendation. Please do not submit references or letters of recommendation with the online application or by contacting any employees of the Superior Court. References and letters of recommendation may be requested or accepted later in the hiring process.
• Additional Materials. Selected applicants may be asked to provide a response to a writing assessment exercise and official law school transcript soon after the application review process begins. Applicants should be prepared to submit them when requested, but not before then.
Inquiries may be emailed to Rafael Muñoz, Deputy Legal Counsel - Research Services, at [email protected] (no phone calls please).
Applications are due Sunday, November 29, 2026, by 11\:55pm.
Employment with the Trial Court is contingent upon passage of a criminal record check.
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State government provides public services
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts runs state government operations to deliver public services and enforce laws for residents and communities. It provides programs and services through agencies and online portals, and residents interact by applying for benefits, renewing licenses, paying fees, or accessing records. Unlike private companies, it is funded by public funds and guided by policy, accountability, and transparency to serve all residents rather than shareholders. Its goal is to improve people’s lives by implementing legislative actions and delivering reliable, efficient public services.
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