Law Fellowship - Superior Court

Title: Law Fellowship - Superior Court Department

Pay Grade: Grade 16

Starting Pay: $73,722.23

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:

This posting is for up to six Law Fellowship positions to be based in eastern or western Massachusetts. Please see the Position Summary below for more information. 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 writing sample and official law school transcript soon after the application review process begins. Applicants should begin gathering these materials and be prepared to submit them when requested, but not before then.

•  Legal Writing Assessment. Applicants who reach the interview stage may be asked to complete legal research and writing assessment exercise.

The Superior Court recognizes the importance of a work-life balance and has implemented a hybrid office/remote work policy under the Trial Court’s remote work pilot program.

Inquiries may be emailed to Romeo Camba, Manager of Legal Research Services, at romeo.camba@jud.state.ma.us (no phone calls please).

Applications are due Friday, November 29, 2024.

Position Summary: The Superior Court seeks entry-level attorneys to fill up to six positions in its Fellowship Program. The Fellowship Program was established to provide opportunities for graduating law students and recent graduates to assist the Justices of the Superior Court alongside our team of experienced Research Attorneys, develop legal research and writing skills, and gain valuable knowledge and experience in a broad range of civil and criminal matters. The Fellowship is also intended as a potential pathway for outstanding Law Fellows to seek permanent Research Attorney positions.

Law Fellows are responsible for performing legal research and writing assignments to assist the Justices of the Superior Court for a term of at least a one year running through the end of August 2026. Law Fellows work alongside permanent Research Attorneys who also assist the judges. Fellowship duties encompass every aspect of court procedure and all the legal issues within the Superior Court’s broad civil and criminal jurisdiction.

The anticipated start date is Monday, September 1, 2025, subject to the availability of the successful candidate. The Law Fellow works alongside permanent Research Attorneys who also assist the judges. The duties of the position encompass every aspect of court procedure and all the legal issues within the Superior Court’s broad civil and criminal jurisdiction.

The Superior Court invites Fellowship applications from graduating law students and recent graduates with less than two years of legal experience. Fellows may be based primarily in Boston, Springfield, Woburn, Fall River or other Superior Courthouse location, depending, in part, on the successful candidates’ preferences. See https://www.mass.gov/orgs/superior-court/locations. Fellows must be willing and able to travel and assist judges in other courthouses throughout the state. The anticipated start date is Monday, September 1, 2025, subject to the availability of the successful candidates.

Supervision Received: Work is performed under the guidance and supervision of the Chief Justice, eighty-one Associate Justices, and the Manager of Legal Research Services. 

Duties: Assists judges in matters before the court by:

• Attending motion hearings, trials, and other courtroom proceedings, as needed;

• Discussing legal issues with judges;

• Performing careful and accurate legal research and analysis, using both online and book resources;

• Clearly and concisely conveying results of research and analysis to judges, 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; and

• Performing related tasks as required.

Job Competencies: All applicants must be able, through the interview process, to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the following areas:

Ethics and Values Communicates and demonstrates the ethics and values of the Trial Court.

Mission Driven Employees are fully committed to fulfilling the Trial Court and associated Departmental missions.

Professional Development Employees are committed to participating in ongoing Trial Court training and educational offerings to advance their professional development. Managers are equally committed to affording those opportunities to those they supervise as scheduling permits.

Customer Service Conducts oneself in a courteous and professional manner towards both Trial Court employees and the public.

Applied Knowledge Demonstrates an ability to coordinate, distribute and administer State Contracts, State Price Agreements, Trial Court Contracts, and other statewide specialty items.

Commitment to Diversity Promotes an environment of diversity through understanding, respect, and positive communication with persons of varied racial, ethnic, economic, and cultural backgrounds.

Collaboration Works with others cooperatively, and promotes teamwork, contributing to a work environment that focuses on shared departmental goals.

Problem Solving Accurately assesses fiscal problems in the Trial Court and recommends and facilitates appropriate solutions.

Minimum Requirements: These are the minimum requirements necessary to apply for the position of Law Fellow:

• Graduation from an accredited law school as of the start of the Fellowship.

• Excellent legal writing and communication skills.

• Excellent legal research and analytical skills, using both online and book resources.

• High professional and ethical standards.

• Ability and willingness and ability to travel to courthouses in the Commonwealth as assigned.

• Experience and knowledge in using personal computers, including 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, and other law fellows.

• Genuine commitment to serving the full term of the Fellowship.


Additional preferred qualifications include:

• Substantial legal research and writing experience, including current or prior judicial clerkship or internship experience, particularly in the Massachusetts or federal court systems. 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.