In 2021, the SJC released a report (see below) summarizing affinity bar town hall meetings, shedding light on the experiences of legal professionals from underrepresented, historically excluded and systemically oppressed populations. As stated in the report, “the burden of change cannot and should not fall on these attorneys and law students themselves, as it has for far too long.” Instead, “the burden of supporting and championing this work should fall especially on such colleagues.” In response to this call to action, MACDL developed a paid summer internship program designed to attract a law students of color and others who are underrepresented in the criminal defense bar to careers in criminal defense.
Our summer internship program provides an opportunity for these students to gain valuable experience in a criminal defense firm. Chosen law students will be placed at a criminal defense law firm for the summer where they will assist attorneys with a variety of client and case matters as well as gain an understanding of the Massachusetts criminal practice. These employers will provide a stipend.
In addition, MACDL provides a schedule of programming for all summer interns in the program. Programming includes presentations on substantive topics of law, panel discussions on careers in criminal defense, presentations about high profile cases, and social gatherings. This programming serves to both inspire and educate, while also providing an opportunity to network with attorneys in the criminal defense field.
Applications for the internship will be open in early 2023. Inquiries can be directed to macdlintern@gmail.com.
To view/download full text of the report click the image below
