Law Fellow Superior Court Department

Title: Law Fellowship - Superior Court Department 2026-2027

Pay Grade: Grade 16

Starting Pay:$77452.44

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.

Superior Court Organizational Profile:

• Please Note: Prior to submitting an application candidates should carefully review the application process described at the conclusion of this job description to ensure compliance with all submission requirements.

Position Summary:The Superior Court seeks entry-level attorneys (those with less than two years of post-law school experience) to fill up to six positions in its Law Fellowship Program. Law Fellows assist the Justices of the Court by completing research and writing assignments involving both the legal issues within the Superior Courts broad civil and criminal jurisdiction and aspects of court procedure. Law Fellows work alongside permanent Research Attorneys who also assist the Justices through legal research and writing assignments. The Fellowship Program provides a great opportunity for graduating law students and recent graduates to further develop their legal research and writing skills and gain valuable knowledge and experience in a broad range of civil and criminal matters. The Fellowship also serves as a potential pathway for outstanding Law Fellows to seek permanent Research Attorney positions.

Law Fellows serve a term of one year running through the end of August 2027 with the possibility of a second-year term. The anticipated start date is Monday August 31 2026 subject to the availability of the successful candidates.

Law Fellows may be based primarily in Boston Springfield Woburn Fall River or other Superior Courthouse locations depending in part on the successful candidates preferences. See Law Fellows must be willing and able to travel and assist judges in other courthouses throughout the state. Under Trial Court policy hybrid office/remote work arrangements are available subject to conditions and requirements. Typically new Law Fellows start full-time in-person to learn the job and establish themselves.

The Superior Court invites Fellowship applications from graduating law students and recent graduates (those with less than two years of post-law school experience) who possess excellent legal research writing analytical and communication skills and who can work independently maintain high productivity and produce quality work product.

Supervision Received: Work is performed under the guidance and supervision of the Chief Justice the Associate Justices and the Deputy Legal Counsel - Research Services.

Duties: Law Fellows assists judges in matters before the court by:

Attending motion hearings trials and other courtroom proceedings as needed

Discussing legal issues.

Performing careful and accurate legal research and analysis.

Clearly and concisely conveying results of research and analysis 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.

Performing related tasks as required.

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

Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school as of the start of the Fellowship.

Massachusetts residency for the entire duration of the Fellowship.

Excellent legal writing and communication skills.

Excellent legal research and analytical skills.

High professional and ethical standards.

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

Experience and knowledge in using personal computers word processing software such as 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 research attorneys and other law fellows.

Genuine commitment to serving the full term of the Fellowship.

Additional Preferred Qualifications:

Substantial legal research and writing experience including current or prior judicial clerkship or internship experience in a state or federal court. 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.

Application Process:

Please read all instructions carefully before starting the Trial Court online application process. Applications that do not comply with the instructions may be screened 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.

Inquiries may be emailed to Rafael Muñoz Deputy Legal Counsel - Research Services at (no phone calls please).

Applications are due December 7 2025 by 11:55pm.