Shea Nugent might just hold the record for the quickest commute to co-op. As a student in the FlexJD program, a hybrid, part-time program created to meet the needs of working professionals, Nugent has a full-time job as a legislative aid to Massachusetts State Representative Pete Capano and a part-time co-op with State Senator Brendan Crighton. Nugent estimates it takes less than two minutes to get from one office to the other.

“Rep. Capano treats me as a partner, so that allows me to manage my own time,” says Nugent, who joined the Lynn Democrat’s office in 2022. “I work after hours for Senator Crighton, and I also take a couple of extra hours here and there during the day when needed. There are a lot of synergies because Senator Crighton also represents Lynn.”

The four-year FlexJD program, which includes two practical experiences — one co-op and either a second co-op or another type of field placement — provides Nugent with a mix of synchronous and asynchronous academics paired with hands-on experience that feels like a perfect fit.

“I’m getting to meaningfully contribute to the legislative process through both my day job and co-op. In my day job I advocate for bills, while in my co-op I’m focusing on substantive legal work,” says Nugent. “I’m learning how to write and file a bill. I’m doing legal research and drafting memos and persuasive briefs on legislative proposals, bills, amendments and the complex policy and legal issues related to the environment, youth justice and transportation. This co-op is just what I needed for a deep dive into the legal side of state government.”

“At Liberty Mutual Investments, what has most surprised me is how remarkably collaborative most of the counterparties have been in negotiations. When people think of attorneys negotiating, a common perception is that it’s antagonistic, but here, most of the counterparties have been extremely excited to work together to get deals to the finish line, all while we each zealously represent our client’s concerns and best interests.”

—Matthew Zancewicz ’24

“At the ACLU of Massachusetts, I’ve sharpened my legal research and analysis skills doing substantive work on various issues, including police accountability, due process, immigrants’ rights, and freedom of speech and religion. I’ve also learned about strategic considerations involved in civil rights impact litigation. It has been a remarkable experience that I will take with me as I move forward in pursuing my legal career.”

—Brianna So ’24