The mission of the Women's Bar Foundation of Massachusetts is to empower low-income women to attain social and economic equity for themselves and their children by meeting their legal needs. We provide free civil legal services through three pro bono projects. We ensure cost effective delivery of legal services by leveraging the resources of the private sector and by collaborating with the public and non-profit sectors. We manage a robust volunteer attorney pool to provide representation to our low-income clients.
For more information about each pro bono project, please see the project list in the right-hand panel.
Are you a law student looking for an internship opportunity with the WBF?
WBF hosts student interns on a semester basis. Applications are considered for the next semester on a rolling basis with interviews being conducted 4-6 weeks before the start of the semester. Extensive training and support are provided. This is a hybrid opportunity located in Boston. Applicants must have reliable access to phone and internet. Spring and Fall semester interns must be available a minimum of 6 hours per week. Summer opportunities are full time and students must secure third party funding for the summer or participate in the program for course credit.
If you are interested in assisting low-income survivors of domestic abuse with their family law cases; helping elders prepare important legal documents; and are looking for a way to have a positive impact while honing your legal and communication skills working with a passionate and committed legal team, please read below for information on internship opportunities with the Women’s Bar Foundation. Contact Andrea Normoyle at anormoyle@womensbar.org
Responsibilities and Opportunities include:
- Conducting screening interviews for potential clients
- Preparing client files for attorney review and referral
- Participating in weekly case review meetings to discuss potential clients and determine which cases are appropriate for referral to pro bono attorneys
- Collaborating with other legal services agencies, law firms, and advocacy groups to serve clients and improve policy
- Researching various legal issues involving jurisdiction, custody, and parenting time;
- Working with WBF staff on preparing and delivering trainings.
- Attending monthly Family Law clinics, monthly visits to Suffolk House of Corrections and community outreach events
- Assisting clients in their family law and restraining order cases pursuant to SJC Rule 3:03.
Required qualifications include:
- Interest in working with survivors of domestic abuse
- Commitment to helping indigent populations and people in crisis
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to communicate effectively using virtual platforms and the telephone
- Ability to independently prioritize tasks with competing deadlines
- Attention to detail
- Bilingual strongly preferred