An Eye-Opening Experience

This summer has been an incredible eye-opening experience!  When I interviewed for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Intern position, I was unsure as to what to expect.  I had a broad understanding of Pennsylvania Legal Services, but was unaware of the break down of the particular field and specialty programs.  Following my interview by Rhodia, not only did my knowledge of Pennsylvania Legal Services greatly increase, but I was struck by her passion in working on behalf of low-income individuals. 

Just hours after commencing my Martin Luther King, Jr. internship with the Pennsylvania Utility Law Project did I realize that not only Rhodia, but everyone in the Harrisburg branch of Pennsylvania Legal Services was filled with her same passion day in and day out.  I have interned with two other law offices (one was a large, international law firm, and the other was a one attorney practice) and not one individual exhibited the charisma or devotion to their clients as is present with Pennsylvania Legal Services. 

Working with Harry Geller has been both an informative and rewarding experience.  Participation in legislative and administrative advocacy is probably the most accurate description of the Pennsylvania Utility Law Project (PULP).  Throughout the summer, I attended a variety of meetings that all dealt with utility law issues.  These meetings were held at the Public Utility Commission, the Health and Welfare Building, the Energy Association, and at PECO’s central office in Philadelphia.  This is an exciting time period in utility law because of the recent deregulation, which allows for and encourages local competition.  Consider, for example, the Council for Utility Choice which is a non-profit corporation working in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission.  The Council educates consumers by providing them with natural gas, electric, and telephone shopping guides.  This information allows consumers to compare utility prices among the various local utility companies to make an informed decision when selecting a particular utility. 

Other activities in which I participated include: client meetings, attending Dauphin County court proceedings (such as Protection from Abuse hearings and Domestic Relations hearings), and presenting testimony on behalf of the Pennsylvania Energy Assistance and Weatherization Coalition (PEAWC).  The testimony on behalf of PEAWC was provided in response to the 2003 Proposed Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program State Plan and with the hope that it would assist the Department of Public Welfare develop the most effective system for the administration of energy assistance. 

Lastly, this summer I conducted a Lifeline outreach project.  Lifeline is a federally funded discount telephone program for low-income consumers.  I researched individual state Lifeline programs for the purpose of learning how eligible individuals are informed of the program.  The ultimate goal was to increase the Lifeline participation in Pennsylvania by improving upon outreach efforts in the Commonwealth.  Fortunately, I was asked to work with the Public Utility Commission to help design a Lifeline brochure, with plans for statewide distribution.

My direct client work, my participation in utility law legislative, and administrative advocacy, as well as my understanding of Pennsylvania Legal Services employees’ charisma has provided me with a three dimensional perspective of the law.  These experiences cannot be duplicated.  They have given me more insight into this world of the most vulnerable than any law school course could possibly accomplish.