Clinic Student Madelyn Singley: Finding Reward in Serving the Community Through Work with the Central Pennsylvania Law Clinic

For law students looking to gain practical experience, the Central Pennsylvania Law Clinic offers invaluable hands-on training that extends far beyond the classroom. For Madelyn Singley, a third-year student at Widener Law Commonwealth, the clinic has been the perfect platform to hone her skills and make a real impact in the community.

Singley, a 2021 graduate of Temple University where she double majored in criminal justice and Spanish for professional studies, first joined the law clinic in spring 2024. Initially unsure of the exact area of law she wanted to pursue, she was drawn to the clinic's opportunity to work directly with clients in need. “I was most intrigued by the chance to help make a difference in people's lives,” she said. “The clinic allowed me to put my knowledge into practice, supporting real clients with real legal issues.”

Her time at the clinic has been transformative, giving Singley the chance to manage cases from start to finish—an experience she considers crucial to her development as a future lawyer. One of her most memorable cases involved representing a client seeking reimbursement for a security deposit that had been wrongfully withheld.

“I took on the initial intake back in spring 2024 and, later in the fall, acted as the attorney in a hearing before a Dauphin County magisterial judge,” Singley explained.

The case ended in a win for the client, and while the outcome was important, Singley valued the experience of presenting the case in front of a judge on her own.

“It was a huge accomplishment, and I wouldn’t have had the chance to do that without the law clinic,” she added.

Mary Catherine Scott, associate clinical professor of law and director of the Central Pennsylvania Law Clinic, highlighted Singley’s many talents. “One quality that made Maddie stand out in the clinic was her organization skills. Sometimes students enroll in the clinic thinking that they will only learn about how to interview clients, draft legal documents, or present a case in court. Clinic students learn many skills—an important one being case management. A student like Maddie who is organized and can prioritize her cases will be able to better juggle multiple clients, legal issues, and court deadlines.”

The Central Pennsylvania Law Clinic, which provides free legal services to low-income individuals in the area, offers students the opportunity to work on a variety of cases that address housing, family law, and criminal issues. For Singley, it’s the clinic's focus on serving the community that has been most rewarding. “For our clients, navigating the legal system can be incredibly overwhelming,” she said. “Being able to guide them through the process and close out cases knowing that we’ve made a difference is the most rewarding part of the work.”

In addition to legal experience, the clinic also provides students with an opportunity to build important professional relationships, particularly the attorney-client relationship. Singley noted that developing this skill is key to being a successful attorney. “You have to be able to connect with your clients, make them feel heard, and provide them with the best possible legal representation,” she explained. “The clinic has helped me grow in that area and learn how to communicate effectively.”

Scott echoed the significance of this experience for students like Singley. “Students like Maddie who are able to see a case from the initial client interview to final resolution of a case are really impacted by the difference they have made in a client's life. Maddie can be proud it was her work that provided this particular client the relief sought, and the client appreciates the dedication that Maddie put into her case.”

Singley encourages her peers to consider getting involved with the law clinic. “Whether you already know the type of law you want to practice or are still figuring it out, the clinic is a great place to gain practical skills that will be useful in any field,” she said. “You have full control of your cases from open to close, which gives you the experience of managing your own workload and making important legal decisions.”

For Singley, the Central Pennsylvania Law Clinic has not only provided her with valuable legal experience but has also reaffirmed her commitment to criminal law and defense work. Her time there has been pivotal in shaping her legal education and further solidifying her aspirations to become a skilled advocate for those in need.

Interview was conducted in Winter 2025.