Penn State Dickinson Law hosting Professional Development Conference and Alumni Weekend in October

CARLISLE and UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.—Penn State Dickinson Law will host its annual Professional Development Conference (PDC) in conjunction with Alumni Weekend in late October. A full slate of events is scheduled for the Carlisle and University Park locations, including two continuing legal education (CLE) sessions, a celebratory reception, and many opportunities for current students to interact with visiting alumni.

This marks the second straight year that the PDC, which all first-year (1L) Penn State Dickinson Law students are required to attend, will coincide with Alumni Weekend and the first time it has been held across both locations.

A host of activities and ways for alumni to give back

Alumni play a key role in putting on the PDC, which takes place on October 25. They serve as speakers and topic table hosts where students can approach them for discussions on career opportunities and tips on navigating law school.

Kelly Lloyd ’10 will serve as the keynote speaker at the University Park event. A deputy district attorney at the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office and an adjunct professor at Temple University’s James E. Beasley School of Law, Lloyd is a past recipient of the Pennsylvania Narcotics Officers’ Association’s Outstanding Prosecutor Award and has been active on Penn State Dickinson Law’s alumni boards along with her husband, Kent Lloyd ’10.

Alumni can also take advantage of educational opportunities. This year, two CLE courses will be offered at the PDC, both taught by Penn State Dickinson Law faculty. Professor Ronnie R. Gipson Jr. will teach “Understanding the Administrative Law Rulemaking Process Through the FAA’s Final Rule on MOSAIC ,” and Professor Stanley Brand will teach “The Rule of Law in a Changing World.” The two classes will take place in Carlisle with a livestream and faculty co-presenter in University Park.

The PDC will conclude with a catered luncheon for alumni and students from 12:30-2 p.m., but Alumni Weekend festivities will continue. At 2:30 p.m., the Alumni Society Board of Directors will hold an open meeting where alumni can learn more about board initiatives and how to get involved.

The formal portion of the weekend will close from 4-6 p.m. with a celebratory reception for alumni, faculty, and staff held simultaneously at both locations. Several alumni classes, including the Class of 1975 and Class of 1995, have independent reunion gatherings planned afterward. Jesse N. Zilinski ’22 will assist with the PDC in University Park. He recently joined the Penn State Dickinson Law Alumni Society Board of Directors and has volunteered with past events at the Law School.

“The opportunity to network and learn how to network for younger students is invaluable. These student and alumni interactions help build that continued community feeling in the alumni,” said Zilinski. “Plus, you never know whether a conversation now could lead to a job down the road. Sometimes it is as simple as an alumnus working at a firm looking to hire a first-year associate meeting a law student who is interested in that particular area of law. They might say, ‘Why don't you send me a resume and I can give you the fast track.’”

Networking and learning opportunities for students

The Career Services Office designs the PDC to mirror the types of conferences students can attend when they become attorneys. It places a significant emphasis on networking opportunities, allowing students plenty of time to interact with alumni and other volunteers helping to run the event.

This year’s keynote speakers in Carlisle are former National Association of Law Placement President Mina Jefferson, chief culture and engagement officer at Bricker Graydon who spent 17 years in administration at the University of Cincinnati College of Law, and Verna Williams, chief executive officer at Equal Justice works and a former faculty member and interim dean at the University of Cincinnati College of Law.

Breakout sessions held in both locations will cover “Interviewing & Succeeding During Your 1L Year” and “Building Your Professional Identity.” Former Student Bar Association President Ezza Ahmed '23 is among those tabling at the event. She hopes students will visit to talk even if they do not have specific questions.

“You never know which small interactions you have with others can lead to something great. I would advise students to try to put themselves out there and push themselves a little more out of their comfort zones. Being an attorney is inherently pushing yourself to some degree, and opportunities like this can be great practice,” said Ahmed.

She learned the value of building connections with alumni during her time at Penn State Dickinson Law. Erin Varley ’18, senior deputy district attorney at the Dauphin County District Attorney’s Office, was integral to Ahmed landing her post-2L summer internship as well as her first job after graduation, both at the DA’s office. That sparked Ahmed’s desire to give back as well. “Alumni involvement with students on any level creates opportunities for and inspires our future legal colleagues,” said Ahmed, who serves on the Penn State Dickinson Law Leadership Council Advisory Board with Varley. “A lot of our alumni are really gracious with their time.”

“I think it's important for alumni to remain involved so students know that when they graduate, they are not just joining a group of people who have the same school listed on their degree. They are joining a community of people who want to see them succeed,” said Zilinski.

If you are interested in attending Alumni Weekend, please RSVP here as soon as possible.