Information for Prospective Clinic Students

Students interested in gaining practical experience in this area of law should consider applying to the Children's Advocacy Clinic. Penn State Dickinson students are required to make a two-semester commitment to the clinic and will earn four credits per semester. Law students apply for certified legal intern status pursuant to Pennsylvania Supreme Court 322.

Law students are engaged in the direct representation of children in various civil matters. Cases include adoption, dependency, custody, and abuse. Students are involved in real courtroom experiences and learn basic lawyering skills of oral argument, research, and writing. Graduate social work students research resources to assist children, help develop case goals, and communicate with caseworkers, case managers, and other professionals.

Local courts appoint the clinic to represent children in one of two ways. Most commonly, a student serves as guardian ad litem, representing a child's best interests to the court while expressing the child's wishes. Occasionally, the court appoints the clinic to be a child's attorney to strictly represent the child's wishes. Law students are responsible for all phases of the legal case, including interviewing clients, drafting pleadings and correspondence, negotiating with other parties, and representing clients at hearings or conferences.

Another component of the clinical program enables some students to focus their legal skills in the area of policy and legislation. The students research systemic problems in the child welfare system and then work with state and federal government officials to develop broad solutions.

Contact Us:
Children's Advocacy Clinic
Dale F. Shughart Community Law Center
45 N. Pitt Street
Carlisle , PA 17013
Telephone: (717) 243-2968
Fax: (717) 243-3639