Innovative Internship Program Supports Diversity in the Legal Professi...

Benjamin Hill, a student from Penn State Dickinson Law, is completing a Stevens & Lee-sponsored internship at Pennsylvania American Water through the Dauphin County Bar Association's CAMP 1L Program.

MECHANICSBURG, Pa. (Aug. 1, 2024) - Pennsylvania American Water and Stevens & Lee continued a multi-year partnership to promote diversity in the legal profession through participation in the Dauphin County Bar Association's (DCBA) Capital Area Managing Partners Program (CAMP) 1L Internship Program. Designed to encourage first-year law students from diverse and underrepresented communities to consider Central Pennsylvania as a potential location to begin their legal careers, the paid-internship opportunity has participants in several sites throughout the region, including an intern being hosted by the legal team at Pennsylvania American Water's Mechanicsburg state headquarters in collaboration with Stevens & Lee, a long-time CAMP 1L supporter.

"My parents are Liberian Civil War refugees with no legal backgrounds. We struggled to overcome the various barriers that exist for prospective law students, and thankfully, I attend a law school that encourages the DCBA's CAMP 1L Program," said Benjamin Hill, a Penn State Dickinson Law student who is completing his Stevens & Lee-sponsored internship at Pennsylvania American Water.

In addition to on-the-job work experience in a corporate setting, the CAMP 1L Program offered weekly education seminars for participants. On July 2, Pennsylvania American Water hosted one such event, during which other local in-house counsel met with the entire intern group from various locations to teach them about the career field and answer questions about the profession.

"Many legal internship programs focus on providing second-year law students with experience, so this program is unique in that it gives students a head start on exploring future career paths," said Teresa Harrold, director, corporate counsel, Pennsylvania American Water. "The program's focus on promoting ID&E also ties in strongly with our company's commitment to an inclusive and diverse workforce, which makes us more successful in serving our diverse customers across the Commonwealth."

"We are proud to continue our partnership with Pennsylvania American Water to provide valuable internship opportunities through Camp 1L," said Linda R. Evers, Shareholder and Co-Chair of Stevens & Lee's Energy and Utilities Group.

Hill's internship at Pennsylvania American Water started May 28 and lasted for 6 weeks.

"From the interview phase to the work, CAMP 1L is wonderful. Everyone involved in the program is very welcoming and eager to answer any questions interns have. Office doors are always open, I feel comfortable asking questions, people introduce themselves to me when they pass by my office, and it feels like everyone is happy to be here. I am thankful for CAMP 1L," Hill added.