Internship - Fall 2026 - MHLD

About the role

The Mental Health Litigation Division of CPCS is seeking applicants for Fall 2026 internship positions in our Civil Commitment trial offices located in Brockton, Northampton, and Worcester offices and in our Trial Support and Oversight unit located in Boston.

Responsibilities

• Mental Health Commitment Defense Units:
  • Interns and law coop students who have completed their 2L year and are or can be 3:03 certified to assist attorneys with representation of citizens facing involuntary civil commitment to mental health facilities, and involuntary medical treatment for mental illness, including the administration of anti-psychotic medications.
  • 1Ls are welcome to intern with the commitment defense offices to assist with client calls, reviewing medical records and legal research.
• Mental Health Litigation Division Trial Panel Support Unit:
  • Support and oversee the private panel attorneys handling civil commitments and probate court matters.
  • Conduct legal research on systemic and specific issues affecting clients with mental disabilities.
  • Draft practice materials for attorneys representing clients in mental health matters.
  • Handle intake line calls from patients and clients in mental health facilities and provide information about their legal status, assignment of counsel or referral.
  • Assist the MHLD Training Unit attorneys to create and edit training materials, and to develop and maintain Mental Health online training and resource initiatives.

Qualifications

• Minimum requirements include 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 or public transportation to travel to courts and hospitals, and a personal computer with home internet access sufficient to work remotely.

Application Information

• Interested applicants should submit (1) Resume, (2) Personal Mission Statement (one page 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 Fall 2026 Internship Program.
• Applications received prior to August 21, 2026 will be given preference.
• INTERNSHIP FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES: Please note that this is an unpaid internship. CPCS can work with students to support the receipt of externship credit or outside funding.

Benefits

The ability to achieve these goals with any level of certainty is ultimately the responsibility of each member of the CPCS community.

Pay

This is an unpaid internship.

Schedule

Not specified.

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.