TOLL PUBLIC INTEREST SCHOLARS PROGRAM: EDUCATION IN THEORY AND PRACTICE

The Robert and Jane Toll Public Interest Scholars Program offers a challenging program for select students seeking academic training and practical experience in public interest law. Scholars are selected on the basis of their demonstrated commitment to public service, their academic record, and their potential for leadership in the legal community. The Program defines public interest broadly to include government and non-government work in a wide variety of substantive legal areas including environmental, health, family, civil rights, poverty, and international human rights law, and women.

Through funded summer internships, a specialized seminar, and interaction with practitioners, academics and like-minded students, the Program contributes to the development of professionals who are committed to fulfilling their public and professional responsibilities as lawyers. The Program's graduates have gone on to serve in leadership roles at a variety of agencies including the United States Department of Justice; the United States Attorneys' Office; the Legal Aid Society of New York City; the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund; the Bronx Public Defender; and other leading policy organizations.

The Toll Public Interest Scholars Program provides intellectually ambitious professional and academic opportunities to students pursuing public service careers. Scholars are selected as they apply for admission to Penn Law and receive full tuition in the first year and two thirds tuition in the second and third years are selected based on their academic record and their potential to contribute to the public interest community at Penn Law. The Class of 2009 is the first class to benefit from the generosity of Robert (L'66) and Jane Toll. Here are brief profiles of the present Scholars in Residence and alumni Scholars at Penn Law.

Application for the Toll Public Interest Scholars Program (pdf)