Miller Center for Public Interest Law and Advocacy
The Miller Center for Public Interest Law and Advocacy is the hub of public interest law at Penn State Dickinson Law, offering a place to “do good” while in the process of earning a J.D.
Public Service in the Legal Profession
Lawyers hold a unique position of trust and responsibility within our communities. Legal training provides the knowledge and skills to navigate institutions, advocate for others, and expand access to systems that can otherwise be difficult to understand or reach. With that privilege comes a professional responsibility to serve.
The legal profession recognizes this responsibility through its longstanding commitment to pro bono service. Rule 6.1 of the Rules of Professional Conduct calls on lawyers to provide public interest legal service and encourages every lawyer to make pro bono service a meaningful part of their professional life.
At Penn State Dickinson Law, we believe that commitment begins during legal education. Pro bono service and public interest experiences give students opportunities not only to serve individuals and communities, but also to develop the skills, judgment, relationships, and sense of professional responsibility that they will carry throughout their careers.
There is no single path to a life of service in the law. Some graduates will build careers in public interest organizations, government, or legal services. Others will contribute through pro bono representation, community leadership, board service, advocacy, or support for organizations working to expand access to justice.
The Miller Center for Public Interest Law and Advocacy helps students discover how public service can become part of their own professional identity and provides opportunities to begin that work throughout their legal education.
A Commitment to Service and Community
Service and community are among the core principles of a Penn State Dickinson Law education. The Law School recognizes that preparing students for the practice of law means more than developing excellent legal skills. It also means preparing lawyers to understand the communities they serve, build meaningful relationships within them, and use their education to contribute to the lives and well-being of others.
The Miller Center for Public Interest Law and Advocacy advances this commitment by connecting students with opportunities to serve, learn, and develop as legal professionals. Through relationships with attorneys, organizations, agencies, alumni, and communities, the Center helps students explore the many ways that public service can become part of their legal education and professional lives.
Pathways to Service
Public service can take many forms, both during law school and throughout a legal career. Penn State Dickinson Law offers multiple pathways for students to explore their interests, develop their skills, and put their commitment to service into practice.
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Experiential Learning — Incorporate public service into your legal education through practice-based learning.
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Pro Bono – Contribute your developing legal skills through voluntary service.
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Externships – Gain practical experience working with public interest organizations, government agencies, courts, and other employers engaged in public service for academic credit.
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Summer Internships - Gain practical experience working with public interest organizations, government agencies, courts, and other employers engaged in public service doing compensated work.
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Public Interest Scholars – A scholarship and leadership program for students entering Penn State Dickinson Law with a demonstrated commitment to public interest work.
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Public Interest Careers – Build a professional career centered on service.
Recognizing a Commitment to Service
Penn State Dickinson Law recognizes students who make a significant commitment to public interest and pro bono service during their legal education. Students who complete at least 60 hours of qualifying legal work in a public interest setting during law school are recognized as a Miller Center Public Interest Advocate or Miller Center Pro Bono Advocate, reflecting the nature of their service.
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Miller Center Public Interest Advocate: Recognizes students whose qualifying public interest legal work may include compensated work or work completed for academic credit.
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Miller Center Pro Bono Advocate: Recognizes students whose qualifying pro bono legal work is performed without compensation or academic credit.
Connect with the Miller Center
Whether you arrive at Dickinson Law with a clear vision for your public interest career or are just beginning to explore how service might fit into your professional life, the Miller Center is here to help you find opportunities, make connections, and identify your next step.