CLEO

National diversity seminar exposes pre-law students to rigors of first year of law school

October 11, 2019 — Penn State Dickinson Law was selected to host the Council on Legal Education Opportunity, Inc. (CLEO) 2020 Pre-Law Summer Institute from June 15 to July 12, 2020.

CLEO is the longest-serving national organization committed to diversity in the legal profession. The Pre-Law Summer Institute—a multi-week online and residential program launched in 1968—is designed to introduce students to the skills, knowledge and values essential to their success in law school, including self-directed learning, legal reasoning, writing and the Socratic method of teaching. Graduating seniors or graduates who plan to attend law school in fall 2020 are eligible to participate.

“The Dickinson Law community is honored to work with CLEO to champion education, diversity and equity in the legal profession by hosting this accomplished national pipeline program,” said Dickinson Law Dean and Donald J. Farage Professor of Law Danielle M. Conway. “Both CLEO and Dickinson Law have a shared commitment to increasing access to law school for applicants and diversifying the legal profession.”

Each year, the Pre-Law Summer Institute is sponsored and staffed in cooperation with participating law schools. Associate Dean of Academic and Student Services Jeffrey A. Dodge will serve as the Pre-Law Summer Institute Director. Dickinson Law Assistant Professor of Law Mohamed Rali Badissy and Assistant Professor of Law Sarah J. Williams will teach the curriculum.

In addition to participating in the Pre-Law Summer Institute, students will take part in an online synchronous seminar, Developing Law School Literacies, from June 1 to June 12, 2020.

“The opportunity to host the Pre-Law Summer Institute furthers Dickinson Law’s commitment to creating opportunities for diverse pre-law students,” said Dodge. “Under Dickinson Law Dean Danielle Conway’s leadership, we hope that hosting the Pre-Law Summer Institute is the start of many future Law School-sponsored pipeline programs.”

Registration for the Pre-Law Summer Institute is available online at https://cleoinc.org/programs/plsi/.