Summer Prelaw Program

If you’re thinking about becoming a lawyer—or simply want to know more about the law and how it affects our everyday lives—you’re invited to be a part of the UMass Boston Prelaw Program.

This intensive, six-week program is directed by practicing attorney and Constitutional Law instructor Timothy G. MacKenzie.

Program Description

As a Prelaw Program participant, you will enroll in an intensive 3 week non-credit lecture, and also can participate in a summer internship. This summer lecture offers you a comprehensive introduction to the traditional required first year courses Constitutional Law, Criminal Law, Contracts, Property and Torts. The course content will be taught using the Socratic method employed at most U.S. law schools and introduces students to fundamental concepts and techniques used by attorneys and courts in analyzing cases, interpreting statutes, and determining disputes. As in law school, you’re expected to read assigned materials before each class meeting and to participate actively in class discussions.

The optional internship provides an opportunity for students considering law school to work within a law firm, to observe what lawyers actually do in their daily activities, and to perform a variety of tasks that will help them determine if they have the desire, capabilities, and temperament that it takes to be a lawyer.

Program features

  • a non-credit lecture, "Introduction to First Year Law School," taught using the Socratic method used at most U.S. law schools;
  • a limited number of selective internship placements at law firms or in the legal department of a corporation, government agency, or nonprofit organization.

Program structure

The first three weeks of this rigorous program, you meet with Professor MacKenzie for class each morning. If you choose to participate in the intership portion of the program, during the second three weeks of the program you will devote full days to your internship. (The program is designed for undergraduates who will complete their sophomore year or higher by June 2008, and for college graduates who wish to gain an accurate, comprehensive understanding of law and an introduction to law school courses. Because of the intensive and individualized nature of the program, enrollment is strictly limited. If you’re considering applying, we urge you to do so as early as possible.

Program Goals

  1. To provide a legal preparatory program for students who seek admittance into law school.*
  2. To provide an introduction to first year law school courses.
  3. To provide the participating students with a curriculum that requires critical thinking, critical reading, problem solving, analytical writing, informational and persuasive speaking that introduces students to the actual practice of law.
  4. To provide students with a quality internship experience.
  5. To prepare students for success in law school

*Participating students may also prepare for success on the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) by enrolling in the UMASS/ Boston LSAT Prep Course at no cost.

Program Benefits

Through the Prelaw Program, you have an unparalleled chance to develop an accurate picture of the realities, rewards, and challenges of being a lawyer today. Throughout the program, you’ll address such questions as:

  • How do the careers of lawyers portrayed in the media compare to those of real-life lawyers?
  • How much of my legal career will involve arguing over lofty Constitutional issues?
  • Will my success as a lawyer hinge on being the smartest person in the room?
  • Will I make a lot of money if I go to law school and become a lawyer?
  • What’s so great about being a lawyer?

You’ll also have the opportunity to:

  • explore the varieties of professional roles open to lawyers before you invest time, effort, and money in law school;
  • prepare for law school, other professions, or a lifetime of informed citizenship;
  • gain a comprehensive grounding in fundamental legal concepts and techniques;
  • learn firsthand the ins and outs of the legal system from attorneys;
  • develop professional contacts; and
  • enhance your academic record, resumé, and skills.

Overview of the Internship

To gain experience and insight into the day-to-day work of lawyers, you may be able to participate in a specially arranged internship with a law firm or in the legal department of a corporation, government agency, or nonprofit organization.. The specific tasks that students will perform will be worked out between the firm and the student and they will vary depending upon the needs of the firm, the student’s abilities and previous experience, and the student’s performance. These tasks may, however, range from copying and filing to doing basic legal research, assisting in the interviewing of clients, and assisting in the lawyer’s courtroom preparations and duties. These unpaid internships are optional, limited in number, not guaranteed, and will be assigned by the Prelaw Program on a first-come, first-served basis. If you’re interested in being considered for an internship, it’s to your advantage to apply to the program as early as possible. Although the Prelaw Program will make every effort to match your interests and talents with an available internship and to ensure that you’ll be have an opportunity to observe what lawyers do on a day-to-day basis in an office or courtroom, the nature of each internship will be at the discretion of the hosting firm or organization.

Goals and Objectives of the Internship

  1. One of the overall goals of the program is to develop a mutually beneficial relationship between local firms and UMASS/Boston. Law firms will benefit from our internship program by having students perform a variety of tasks. But even more we hope that lawyers will become mentors to our students, serving as examples of how they should conduct themselves in the profession and introducing them to the craft of law.
  2. Specifically, each student will be called upon to apply skills that they have used in the classroom (such as careful textual interpretation in legal research) and develop new ones (including personal and professional skills for interacting with future colleagues and legal clients).

Responsibilities of the Law Firms

  • To provide the student with a variety of activities to maximize their experience with the firm.
  • To provide the student with training commensurate with the tasks that they are asked to perform.
  • To provide periodic evaluation of the student through conferences.
  • To report periodically to the faculty supervisor to inform him about the student’s progress.
  • To fill out the firm evaluation form at the end of the student’s tenure.

Student Internship’s Responsibilities

  • To develop a work schedule with the firm and meet that schedule responsibly.
  • To conduct themselves in a manner which reflects favorably upon the firm and the University.
  • To perform tasks that they are given to the best of their capabilities.
  • To keep a daily log of their activities summarizing their work experience.
  • To meet with the faculty supervisor periodically to report their progress.