Internship - CAFL Lowell - Spring 2027

About the Role

The Children and Family Law Division (CAFL) Lowell Office of CPCS is seeking applicants for Spring 2027 internship positions. Interns will assist lawyers and work closely with social workers to represent children and parents in cases in which the Department of Children and Families (DCF) removes children from their homes because of claims of neglect or abuse. This unit also provides lawyers to children and parents in child requiring assistance (CRA) cases.

Responsibilities

• Significant client contact through client interviews and home/placement visits
• Case investigation to assist with trial preparation
• Service advocacy on behalf of clients
• Negotiation with opposing counsel
• Legal research and writing in preparation for motion argument, custody hearings and termination of parental rights trials, or on novel legal issues before the Court
• Reviewing pre-trial discovery and Department of Children and Families (DCF) case files
• Attendance of and participation in education-related matters on behalf of clients, such as suspension hearings and IEP meetings
• Appearances in Juvenile Court on behalf of Child Requiring Assistance clients, if certified

Qualifications

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
• Access to a personal computer with home internet access sufficient to work remotely

Application Requirements

Interested applicants should submit:

• Resume
• 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
• Writing Sample