Fellowships
AmeriCorps
Make a difference by becoming a member of AmeriCorps and being placed at Greater Boston Legal Services (GBLS)
GBLS is the primary provider of free, non-criminal legal assistance in the Greater Boston area, assisting low-income individuals, families, and community-based organizations with a wide range of poverty law matters. Our staff work in the following specialized units to best address the problems faced by the people in our service area living in poverty: Asian Outreach, Elder, Health and Disability, Employment, Family, Consumer Rights, Housing, Immigration, Welfare, the Mass. Medicare Advocacy Project and Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) & Re-entry Project. In addition, our Cambridge and Somerville Legal Services Office (CASLS) offers legal assistance in a number of these areas to residents of Cambridge, Somerville and surrounding towns.
AmeriCorps members will serve as legal assistants under the direct supervision of an experienced GBLS legal professional, many of whom are considered national experts in their respective areas of poverty law. Their responsibilities may involve provision of advice, referrals, brief service, and direct representation of clients at administrative hearings, participation in community education and outreach activities, as well as other related work. If attorney, the AmeriCorps would primarily handle their own caseload.
Terms/Benefits: Members making a one year service commitment, and who complete their 1,700 hour service commitment will receive: $33,000 taxable yearly living allowance (paid bi-weekly); a $7,395 education award (payable on completion of the service term); health insurance; day care assistance, if eligible; hands-on supervised exposure to the practice of law and the ability to place eligible student loans in forbearance with interest paid upon completion of service.
Eligibility/Qualifications: Members must be at least 17 years of age, be a U.S. citizen, a U.S. national, or a lawful permanent resident alien of the U.S. In addition, candidates must be college graduates with an interest in attending law school, attending law school at night, or a law school graduate with an interest in public service law. Proficiency in a non-English language desirable. Education Requirement: Bachelor’s Degree, Paralegal Certificate, and JD’s encouraged to apply. Training will be provided.
Sponsorship: The AmeriCorps placements at GBLS are part of the Legal Assistance for Self-Sufficiency Program, run under the auspices of the South Coastal Counties Legal Services, Inc. The program is funded through the Corporation for National Community and Service and administered through the Massachusetts Service Alliance.
Interested individuals must complete and apply online at https://www.ala-mass.org/how-to-apply.
GBLS encourages applicants from a broad range of backgrounds and experiences.
Fellowships Opportunities at Greater Boston Legal Services
Greater Boston Legal Services, Inc. (GBLS) is pleased to sponsor a limited number of applicants for two nationally recognized public interest fellowship programs: Equal Justice Works and the Skadden Fellowship Program. Both programs require candidates to develop a proposed project in collaboration with a sponsoring legal organization. Please note that final fellowship selections are made by the national programs, not by GBLS. To maximize their chances of success, interested applicants are strongly encouraged to contact GBLS as early as possible, as time is needed to develop a project proposal that meets the interests and goals of both the applicant and GBLS. Preference will be given to early applicants.
About GBLS
Greater Boston Legal Services is the oldest and largest civil legal services program in New England. Throughout its history, GBLS has remained committed to providing aggressive, high-quality civil legal representation to as many low-income individuals and families as possible.
Our clients include:
- Women and children seeking protection from domestic violence
- Families and elderly individuals facing eviction
- People experiencing homelessness who have been denied shelter
- Single parents wrongfully denied public benefits, such as welfare, SNAP, or health coverage
We also support community-based client groups such as the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless, the Massachusetts Senior Action Council, and tenants of the Boston Housing Authority.
Office and Units
GBLS’ main office, located at 197 Friend Street in downtown Boston, houses our administrative staff and the following specialized legal units:
- Family Law
- Elder, Health & Disability
- Medicare Advocacy Project
- Housing
- Immigration Law
- Harvard Immigration Clinic
- Workers’ Rights Unit
- CORI & Re-Entry Project
- Welfare Law
- Asian Outreach Center
- Consumer Rights
Our Cambridge office consists of advocate teams that focus on:
- Family Law
- Housing
- Elder Law
- Income Supports
- Mental Health & Disability Rights
EQUAL JUSTICE WORKS FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM
Program Goals
The Equal Justice Works Fellowship Program aims to:
- Serve underrepresented and underserved communities
- Create new and innovative public interest law positions
- Select a diverse group of highly qualified fellows
- Develop the next generation of leaders in public interest law
Terms of the Fellowship
- Duration: Two full years
- Compensation: Full salary provided
- Benefits: Loan repayment assistance and access to national training opportunities
- Fringe Benefits: Paid by GBLS
Eligibility Requirements
- Must receive a J.D. or LL.M. from an Equal Justice Works member law school before September 2027
- Experienced attorneys committed to public interest law are encouraged to apply
Application Procedure
Applicants must:
- Submit an online application via the Equal Justice Works website (hard copies or emails will not be accepted)
- Develop a proposed project in partnership with GBLS that serves underrepresented communities
🔗 Apply online at: www.equaljusticeworks.org
Application & Selection Timetable
|
Application opens |
May 21, 2026 |
|
GBLS internal deadline |
August 3, 2026 |
|
EJW application deadline |
September 17, 2026 |
|
EJW Fellow alumni review and scoring of applications |
October 2026 |
|
EJW Interviews for Selected Candidates |
November 2026 – April 2027 |
|
EJW Candidates selected on a rolling basis |
November 2026 – April 2027 |
|
Fellowship begins at GBLS |
September 2027 |
How to Express Interest
Interested individuals should email a cover letter and resume to the GBLS Human Resources Team at: jobs@gbls.org
Subject line: Fellowship Opportunities
In your cover letter, please:
- Describe a proposed project idea
- Indicate your preferred unit of interest within GBLS
For more details about the Equal Justice Works Fellowship Program, please visit: www.equaljusticeworks.org
SKADDEN FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM
Program Goals
The Skadden Fellowship Program supports the next generation of public interest lawyers by funding innovative legal projects that address unmet legal needs and improve access to justice for low-income and underserved communities.
Terms of the Fellowship
- Duration: Two full years
- Compensation: Full salary provided
- Fringe Benefits: Paid by GBLS
Eligibility Requirements
- In your final year of law school (generally 3L year) of application
- In an LL.M. program
- Completing a judicial clerkship
- Or graduated from law school within the last two years
- You may still apply during an LL.M. program or a clerkship even if you worked between graduating from law school and starting the LL.M. or clerkship
Application Procedure
Applicants must submit the following in collaboration with GBLS:
- The Skadden Fellowship application
- A proposed project
- All additional required information
Email applications directly to: skadden.foundation@skadden.com
🔗 Click here to access the Skadden Fellowship Application
Application & Selection Timetable
|
GBLS internal deadline |
August 3, 2026 |
|
Skadden application deadline |
August 31, 2026 |
|
Skadden Interview selections |
Mid-September 2026 |
|
Skadden Interviews conducted |
October 2026 |
|
Skadden selections announced |
November 2026 |
|
Fellowship begins at GBLS |
September 2027 |
How to Express Interest
Interested individuals should email a cover letter and resume to the GBLS Human Resources Team at: jobs@gbls.org
Subject line: Fellowship Opportunities
In your cover letter, please:
- Describe a proposed project
- Indicate your preferred unit of interest at GBLS
For more information on the Skadden Fellowship Program, please go to https://www.skaddenfellowships.org/applicant.
At GBLS, we recognize our strength comes from the unique contributions of each team member. We invite candidates from all walks of life and backgrounds to apply.