2024 Center for Public Interest Law and Advocacy Pro Bono and Public Interest Advocate Recognition
The Center for Public Interest Law & Advocacy will recognize commitment to pro bono service and public interest by graduating 3Ls as follows:
1. Pro Bono Advocates (60+ hours of pro bono): To be eligible, students must have provided at least sixty hours of free, supervised legal assistance to needy or vulnerable members of the community throughout their time at Penn State Dickinson Law.
Examples of pro bono opportunities include the following:
- Pardon Project
- Miller Center Pro Bono Matching Program
- Cumberland County Bar Association License Restoration and Expungement Clinic
- Dauphin County Bar Association Custody Clinic
- Name Change Clinic
- Veteran Entrepreneur Legal Clinic
- Wills for Heroes
Activities for which the student receives academic credit or compensation will not qualify.
2. Public Interest Advocates (60+ hours of public interest): To be eligible, students must have done 60 hours of uncompensated legal work over the course of their career for a public interest organization or program, including but not limited to a Legal Services Office, a Public Defender Office, American Civil Liberties Union, The Pennsylvania Immigration Resource Center, Children’s Advocacy Clinic, Community Law Clinic, Medical-Legal Partnership Law Clinic, and Externships in settings that serve individuals who traditionally have not had full access to justice.
Activities for which the student receives academic credit will qualify. Activities for which the student receives compensation will not qualify.
Application for Recognition: To request an application form, please email Prof. Gary S. Gildin (gsg2@psu.edu). Applications are due by COB April 3rd.