How much funding does Legal Intern Fellowship Program (LIFP) provide?

Legal Intern Fellowship Program (LIFP) provides $8,000 per stipend (up to 15 stipends awarded) in funding.

Legal Intern Fellowship Program (LIFP)

Massachusetts Bar Foundation Inc

Foundation Annual Grants for Nonprofits

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Funding Amount

$8,000 per stipend (up to 15 stipends awarded)

Deadline

March 7, 2027

333 days left

Grant Type

foundation

Overview

Legal Intern Fellowship Program (LIFP)

Overview: Established in 1996, the LIFP was created to inspire the next generation of public interest attorneys and provide legal aid organizations with critical additional staff capacity over the summer. The program awards stipends to law students to work at qualified nonprofit legal aid organizations.

History: Established in 1996

Geographic Scope: Massachusetts (preference given to Massachusetts permanent/future residents)

Funding:

2025 award: $120,000 to 15 law students ($8,000 each) - largest cohort to date

2024 award: $96,000 to 12 law students ($8,000 each)

Up to 15 stipends available annually

Program Features:

Law students gain hands-on experience and essential skills for legal careers

Students support access to justice for low-income residents

Internships must be at qualified nonprofit organizations in Massachusetts

Internships must be volunteer positions (unpaid, with MBF providing stipend)

Work commitment: 10+ continuous full-time weeks between May 1 and September 30

Students represent law schools throughout New England

Supported By:

Clark R. Smith Family Foundation

MBF Fellows

Contributions from Interest on Lawyers' Trust Accounts

Massachusetts Bar Association's Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee

Contact:

Phone: (617) 338-0500

Address: Massachusetts Bar Foundation, 20 West Street, Boston, MA 02111

Email: foundation@massbar.org

How to Apply

Application Process

Portal: Access via the online application portal at massbarfoundation.org/grants/legal-intern-fellowship-program

Eligibility Requirements:

Applicant Requirements:

Currently enrolled in a United States law school

Preference given to permanent/future residents of Massachusetts

Have secured a volunteer internship with one qualified nonprofit organization in Massachusetts

Primary focus of internship must be providing civil legal services to low-income clients

Internship must provide substantial legal experience with serving and representing clients and preparing legal documents

Demonstrate commitment to public interest law, including experience working with low-income clients and/or issues affecting this population

Commit to work no less than 10 continuous, full-time weeks between May 1 and September 30

Must specify duration of commitment at time of application

Organizational Requirements (for internship site):

Located in Massachusetts

Nonprofit organization

In operation for at least one year

Programs dedicated to providing civil (not criminal) legal services to low-income clients in Massachusetts

Has a staff attorney to supervise and mentor the intern

Required Application Materials:
1. Completion of Application Information section
2. Essay
3. Completed Organizational Support Statement (from supervising attorney/organization)
4. Resume
5. Unofficial Law Student Transcript
6. Unofficial Undergraduate Transcript
7. One Letter of Reference from a supervisor, professor, or similar professional contact

Previous Deadline (2025): March 7, 2025

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