Student Profile: Morgan Dickerson

Morgan Dickinson is a graduate from the University of Georgia. We recently sat down with Morgan to learn more about her journey to law school and her experience in Charleston. Below are some select excerpts from our Q&A and watch her profile video above. 

What attracted you to Charleston School of Law?

Morgan Dickinson: One thing that initially attracted me to Charleston School of Law was the location. When I received my acceptance from Charleston Law, I got a call telling me that I was accepted and that they were looking forward to me coming and visiting before I started. I honestly really respected that, and I thought that showed an intentional effort to say we want you here and then the high rankings for the student-professor relationships were something that I valued because I knew I’d probably be entering a challenging environment and schooling and I wanted an environment that was supportive and welcoming. I saw that at Charleston School of Law.

What were your expectations?

Morgan Dickinson: I debated going to law school. One reason I kept going back and forth was it honestly scared me a little bit. You hear a lot about how challenging it is … I walked in expecting that. I walked in ready to work hard. I’m glad I walked in with a very serious mindset because I think that set me up for success. But I experienced a welcoming and challenging environment, which is good. Everybody’s serious, wants to get here and get their degree and do good work. I didn’t know anybody coming to the school. I was pleasantly surprised with how easy it was to make friends and classmates who are supportive. We’re all working towards the same goal and it’s inherently competitive, but at the same time, I want to see my classmates succeed and they want to see me succeed, and so do my professors.

Why law?

When I was deciding if I wanted to come to law school, I was deciding between the path of law, social services or nonprofit work because I did have in mind a population. I ultimately chose law because I thought I could get the most done. A law degree would be the most helpful and most effective way to help people and get things done.

I’m fortunate enough to come from a family with parents who take good care of me and my siblings, but I know that’s not reality for many people in our country and worldwide. I was encouraged to go, try new things, be a leader. I think because I came from a stable environment, and I can see how much of an impact that makes. That’s where we start. Things start with family and your home life. To have a functioning, healthy and happier world, that’s what I’m looking for. A lot of that would start if people had more supportive environments.

That’s kind of the mindset in the picture that I was seeing in the contrast that I was seeing, this isn’t fair. Why do I get to go home to such a loving family? I’m so thankful for that. This child should too. This child shouldn’t be scared to go home. That broke my heart. I volunteered at a homeless shelter during undergrad and I had a mentor who asked, “What breaks your heart the most? Go pursue that.” That broke my heart the most — a child being scared to go home from school. That sparked my interest, whether it’s children in foster care, orphaned children, or families who have experienced a culture of violence or can’t put food on the table. How can I help them? Cause I think that’s what breaks my heart the most.

I will say I really think that is supported at Charleston School of Law. We are all encouraged and required to get pro bono hours. I think service cultivates a culture of remember your why, why are we here? Why does this justice system exist? We’re helping people who don’t have access to justice. When we do pro bono work, we are serving those who can’t afford it on their own.

I’ve seen the importance of law and justice in completely different areas than what I initially thought I was coming to law school for. I worked in a civil litigation defense firm this past summer and it was cool seeing the law justice served. There’s a why in every single area of the law. I really like that. I have been able to get a lot of different experiences and somewhat different areas of the law, and I think that’s shown me there’s not just one area that I can help people or make a difference.

Student Organizations? Internships? Externships?

Morgan Dickinson: My 1L summer I worked at Atlanta Legal Aid. I did a lot of housing work there. My whole 2L school year I worked as a law clerk. I participated in externships and next month I’ll start a fellowship with the Human Trafficking Institute. I’m now volunteer guardian ad litem. I also got involved in Christian Legal Society and Charleston Law Review, as an associate editor.