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Dean Phillips ’19 came to Allegheny College with the goal of becoming a school teacher. But, as he began to explore different opportunities, Phillips found that he could pursue his passion for helping others through a career as an attorney.

“I love that Allegheny provided me the space and flexibility to make that change,” says Phillips, who majored in history and minored in political science and Black studies. “I always felt I had options with a liberal arts degree and wasn’t pinned down into one track or career path.”

Now pursuing a law degree at the University of Pittsburgh, Phillips serves on the staff of the school’s law review. The University of Pittsburgh Law Review staff is comprised of 25 students who demonstrate academic excellence and exceptional writing skills. Members are selected by a combination of grades and their performance in a write-on competition.

As a staff editor, Phillips is responsible for editing submissions and making sure sources are accurate. Previously, he served as a member of the steering committee and notes and comments editor for the review. 

“I really believe the Allegheny curriculum develops your skills and teaches you how to learn,” Phillips says. “Unique combinations of majors and minors can definitely help diversify skills, but they can also reinforce them. The Allegheny network also extends way further than I thought. My first job in law was working for an Allegheny alumnus.” 

Additionally, Phillips serves as a law clerk at Morella & Associates, a Pittsburgh-based law firm, where he handles civil litigation, commercial transactions, and tax and estate law. He also interns for the Pennsylvania Innocence Project, which offers legal services to the wrongfully convicted. 

Next fall, Phillips expects to work as an attorney at Morella & Associates after completing law school. He hopes to give back to his community through pro bono work and political involvement. 

“Allegheny’s excellent professors are what best prepared me for law school,” Phillips says. “My Allegheny professors always challenged me to do two things: think critically and articulate my thoughts. When you graduate from Allegheny, you definitely don’t know everything, but you know how to learn, which opens so many doors for you.”