Job Description

Title: Housing Court Internship-Eastern Division

Starting Pay: College students $20.00 an hour

Graduate students and Law students $24.00 an hour

At the Trial Court, we believe in Justice with Speed and Dignity. This is an amazing opportunity to see Justice at Work! Join the Trial Court for an 8 to 10 week paid internship this summer and experience the tremendous work the Trial Courts do every day.

Departmental Mission Statement: The Housing Court is a court of limited jurisdiction that adjudicates civil and criminal actions involving claims in law and equity related to the health, safety, or welfare of the occupants and owners of residential property in Massachusetts. The Court hears summary process (eviction), small claims, and civil actions that involve claims for personal injury, property damage, breach of contract, and discrimination. The Housing Court also adjudicates code enforcement actions and appeals of local zoning board decisions affecting residential property. The Housing Court has fifteen justices sitting in six divisions (Eastern, Northeast, Southeast, Metro-South, Western and Central) and conducts sessions in over 20 locations every week. The Housing Court has statewide jurisdiction.

Housing Court Organizational Profile

Notes:

Please complete the on-line application and upload a current resume.
This internship will be fully on-site five days week at the courthouse.
This position is located at:
24 New Chardon St.
Boston, MA 02114

Position Summary: The Housing Specialist Department facilitates dispute resolution between landlords and tenants, mediating and conciliating cases prior to Housing Court proceedings. As an intern, you will gain valuable experience supporting the Housing Specialists in their daily caseload and the overall dispute resolution process. This includes opportunities to observe courtroom proceedings and contribute to projects that enhance departmental procedures.

Duties: Key responsibilities and learning opportunities include:

Direct Supervision: Reporting directly to the Chief and Assistant Chief Housing Specialist, gaining mentorship and guidance from experienced professionals.
Case Management Support: Assisting with organizing court files, preparing copies, and distributing documents to litigants, developing crucial organizational and administrative skills.
Client Interaction and Resource Navigation: Responding to inquiries from litigants and providing information about relevant resources, honing communication, and problem-solving abilities.
Legal Research and Drafting: Contributing to legal research, case analysis, and the drafting of procedural manuals, gaining practical experience in legal research methodologies.
Courtroom Observation: Observing court proceedings and mediations, providing firsthand exposure to the legal system and dispute resolution techniques.
Communication Management: Managing and retrieving voicemails, developing professional communication skills

Minimum Requirements:

Working towards a Juris Doctorate, Masters degree or Bachelors Degree.

Interest or background in Landlord and Tenant or Housing Law.
Knowledge of Microsoft Office, Adobe and other computer software
Ability to analyze and solve problems
Strong Interpersonal Skills
Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in oral and written forms
Ability to work independently and part of a team.

Employment with the Trial Court is contingent upon passage of a criminal record check.