Legal Assistant Internship

Our undergraduate legal assistants are selected from applicants each fall and spring semester. They work up to 34.5 hours per week and receive 12 academic credits for their work. In addition, they will earn one extra academic credit for partaking in Positivity and Relaxing Training (PART) course scheduled during the internship hours as part of the SLSO internship curriculum. Legal assistants play a vital role at the Student Legal Services Office.

Legal Assistant Internship applications for FALL 2025 SEMESTERS are now CLOSED.

The next internship we will be recruiting for is Spring 2026 - Applications will be available mid-October 2025.

If you have any questions, please contact Christy Frechette at cfrechet@umass.edu

Each legal assistant works under the direct supervision of a professional staff member and the SLSO attorneys, and has responsibilities ranging from:

• maintaining case files
• performing legal research
• drafting letters
• participating in administrative hearings
• observing court hearings
• attending court field trips
• assisting with community legal education; and
• performing clerical and support tasks

While working in our office, students have an excellent opportunity to gain skills in interpersonal communication, time management, and organization, along with developing a concrete understanding of the advocacy process and the lawyer’s role in the judicial system.

For students considering a career in the legal field, an internship at the SLSO can provide invaluable experience and insight into the practice of law. More than 400 students have successfully completed the Legal Assistant Internship Program and many of those have gone on to law school or law-related careers.

Where do I find the internship application?

The application will be posted here on our website in March for the Spring and October for the Fall Internships.

How many classes, if any, do legal assistants take while working?

Legal assistants typically take no more than one class during the internship, and are discouraged from pursuing more than that, as the internship requires 34.5 hours per week and legal assistants MUST be available from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Fridays.

What does a typical workday look like for legal assistants?

The first priority in the office is client work. This consists of checking your email, scheduling appointments, scanning documents, and general communication with clients. Usually you’ll have appointments throughout the week where you sit in on client meetings with the attorneys and take notes. Another responsibility in the office includes working on research memos for clients or for hypothetical cases, in order to enhance your writing skills. There are also law related reading assignments, and often the attorneys will have ongoing projects for you to complete. Throughout the semester you will go to local courthouses and witness real cases, as well as speak with judges and attorneys. LSAT practice will also be available for you to work on during quieter periods.

How can you prepare for the internship?

Review the Legal Assistant Handbook thoroughly! It will be your guide throughout the internship.

What is the dress code?

The dress code in the office is business casual.

How will your 34.5 hours be divided during the week?

All interns must be available from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Fridays, so the other hours can be divided between Monday and Thursday, between the hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to best fit your academic and personal schedule.

What is a faculty advisor and how do I select one?                                            

A faculty advisor is a professor of your choice that sponsors your internship with the SLSO. Before you write the professor's name down on your application, make sure that they are willing to sponsor you.

How does one register this internship on SPIRE? How many credits do I need?

Registering the SLSO internship on SPIRE can become quite a hassle, but it’s easily managed with a help of your academic sponsor or faculty advisor. We will send instructions prior to the semester on how to register the internship on Spire, this will send your academic sponsor/faculty advisor a notice to authorize and finalize your internship. 

You have to be registered in 12 credits on SPIRE until the semester begins; otherwise, UMass considers you a part-time student or unenrolled. Once the Add/Drop period begins, you can drop these credits if you choose.

What do I do if I need to come in late, leave early, or otherwise miss work?

If you know you are going to be late or have to miss work for any reason, let your supervisor know. If possible, arrange for your meetings and appointments to be covered by another legal assistant.

How do I prepare to attend court?

Arrive early at court, and remember to have coins for metered parking. Make sure to bring two forms of valid ID, like your driver’s license and your UMass ID. If you bring your cell phone, make sure you keep it on silent or turn it off. Remember that the dress code is business professional, so wear a suit or a business dress.