MCAD Internships

The internship coordinator for the Mass. Commission Against Discrimination has asked me to post the following:

Dear Students,

I am writing to let you know about an exceptional opportunity to experience the field of law before attending law school. The Department of Legal Studies in collaboration with the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD) developed the “The Civil Rights Clinical Project.”

Please click on the following links to learn more about this opportunity:

To learn about the program

For an application

If you have concerns about meeting the requirements, specifically the prerequisites, please email Professor Jerry Levinsky and/or submit your application and we will follow up with you.

The deadline for applying is March 31st, 2006.

Highlights of the Civil Rights Clinical Project

• A collaboration between the Department of Legal Studies and Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination, MCAD, the State’s Civil Rights Enforcement Agency
• Full-Semester, Full-time clinical placement at the MCAD (Springfield Office)
• Learn and understand the workings of the MCAD, one of the oldest governmental Civil Rights organizations in the United States
• Work on allegations of discrimination in the area of employment, housing, public accommodations, and education
• Develop professional skills in governmental investigation
• Apply statutory law, both state-wide and federal, to cases of discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodation, and education
• Learn and experience alternative dispute resolution, and administrative and legislative policy making
• Develop collaborative work habits
• Develop a critical understanding about civil rights enforcement and the broader questions of law and social justice.

Top Reasons to Apply for the Internship

1. Practical experience in the field of law

2. Learn how to manage multiple cases at once

3. Autonomy over directing cases and conducting investigation

4. Be an Investigative Assistant

5. Interview Witnesses

6. Participate in on-site Investigations

7. Co-Conduct Investigative conferences

8. Meet with Complainants

9. Learn the inner-workings of applying the State’s and Federal Civil Rights Law

10. Decide on whether cases have merit or lack merit

11. Mentored by experienced professionals

12. Feel like you are making a difference

13. Experience writing legal documents

14. Attend Commission Hearings and Public Hearings