Senior Legal Intern (Juris Doctor Students)
At the MBTA, we envision a thriving region enabled by a best-in-class transit system. Our mission is to serve the public by providing safe, reliable, and accessible transportation. MBTA’s core values are built around safety, service, equity, sustainability, culture, and accessibility. Each employee performs their role based on our vision, mission, and values, including attendance, participation, and contribution in local safety committee meetings as needed.
About the role
The Office of the General Counsel for MassDOT and the MBTA seeks legal interns for the upcoming term. Working with an attorney supervisor, interns will develop legal writing and research skills and substantive knowledge while learning about the practice of law in transportation, government, and in-house settings. While students will primarily work with one supervising attorney, there will be opportunities to work with other attorneys within the Office of the General Counsel to gain exposure to multiple practice areas.
The Office of the General Counsel is located at 10 Park Plaza, Boston, MA 02116. This position is paid at $24 - $28 per hour (depending on education level). Interns also have the opportunity to receive academic credit through their school’s externship programs (interns must apply and be accepted separately through their school). A cover letter indicating practice area of interest is required.
Responsibilities
The Office of the General Counsel for MassDOT and the MBTA is structured into five Practice Area Groups:
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Commercial Transactions: All matters related to numerous and complex commercial transactions undertaken by both MassDOT and the MBTA, including:
- Reviewing, drafting, negotiating, and interpreting contracts and other legal documents
- Developing complex solicitations and contracts
- Identifying risks and risk allocation and mitigation solutions
- Representation in administrative hearings, bid protests, mediations, and other contract dispute resolution proceedings
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Real Estate: All matters related to real estate transactions, including:
- Air rights development projects
- Ground leases and licenses
- Eminent domain and takings
- Right of Way
- Transit-oriented development projects and other major developments
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Employment and Labor: All matters related to employment and labor, including:
- Legal advice in employment and labor-related matters
- Drafting and revising employment-related policies and procedures
- Conducting employment-related investigations
- Representing the MBTA and MassDOT before the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
- Representing MassDOT in labor arbitrations and before the Massachusetts Department of Labor Relations
- Representing the MBTA in employment-related litigation in state and federal court
- Responding to complaints and requests for information from state and federal agencies
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Corporate and Regulatory: All matters related to corporate governance and regulatory compliance, including:
- Policies related to advertising and signage
- Internal and outside audits, investigations, and reports
- Fares and tolls, including fare and toll changes and driver and rider data privacy
- Finance, including bond issuance, reporting, and disclosures
- Evaluation and drafting of state legislation and regulation
- Public records and records retention issues
- Compliance with state and federal statutes and regulations applicable to MassDOT and/or the MBTA
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Litigation: All matters related to litigation filed by or against MassDOT and the MBTA, including:
- Tort, employment, and commercial contract litigation in state and federal courts
- Eminent domain litigation and other disputes involving real property
- Insurance subrogation
- Accident and other cost recovery litigation
- Support and participate in a variety of administrative tasks related to assigned practice area group
- Participate in team/staff meetings, organization events, fieldwork, project teams, or other duties as needed
- Provide internal and external customers with courteous and professional experience
- Perform all other duties and projects that may be assigned
Requirements
- Enrolled in a Juris Doctorate degree program at an accredited college/university for the entire duration of employment, with the first year already completed
- Students seeking academic credit must apply through their school’s externship program and be accepted prior to applying to this position
- Must submit a cover letter indicating practice area of interest
- Above-average ability to communicate effectively in English, both in written and oral forms (writing sample may be requested)
- Above-average academic credentials
- Highly organized, motivated, and detail-oriented
- Interest in public service, transit, or transportation
- Ability to work effectively in diverse, collaborative, fast-paced environments as well as independently
- Ability to independently commute to assigned work locations in the Boston, MA metro area
- Authorized to work in the United States (international students in CPT, STEM, or OPT programs through a university are eligible to apply)
- Ability to pass a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check, comprehensive background screening, and/or medical clinic screening, potentially including physical examination and drug/alcohol screenings
- Must be at least eighteen (18) years of age
- Ability to work all shifts and/or locations assigned, including up to twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week as necessary
- Interns must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 for the entire duration of the internship and have valid work authorization and a U.S. Social Security Number
Schedule
Interns will work at least two to three (2-3) days in-office (up to 40 hours per week) for at least five (5) months (January - May 2027).
Pay
$24 - $28 per hour (depending on education level).