Clinic - Equal Justice America Disability Rights LAW 839A/839B
Course Number: LAW 839A/839B, ULSR
Course Credits: 4 (2 clinical, 2 academic)
Student interns advise and represent disabled and elderly clients and their families in a variety of transactional matters and administrative proceedings, as appropriate. The Clinic considers inquiries from disabled individuals and their families with low to moderate income and limited assets who cannot afford a private attorney.
The Clinic caseload is broad, with the common theme that each case involves significant issues of disability law and requires the utilization of disability law practice skills. Examples include advice and counsel on denials of access to health care, Social Security disability benefits and other government benefits, Medicaid, and Medicare. Student interns also represent clients in the preparation of a range of advance planning legal documents, including simple wills, health care proxies, 鈥渓iving wills,鈥 powers of attorney, supplemental needs trusts, and other specialized legal instruments. Student interns assist families seeking guardianship of disabled adult children and planning for the future of family members with disabilities. Student interns also advise the elderly and disabled about scams and identity theft.
Students develop sophisticated interviewing, counseling, negotiating, and drafting skills, as well as the ability to deal with legal problems often encountered by the elderly, disabled, and their families. The Clinic seminar includes preparation for utilizing statutory and regulatory systems central to disability law practice, as well as negotiation, administrative hearing simulations, and case rounds. Students will learn about reasonable accommodations needed by the elderly and disabled in housing and other matters.
Case assignments will accommodate the schedules of evening and part-time students. Some off-campus meetings with clients may be necessary. Student interns may also participate in off-campus outreach in the community.
Permission of the professor, based upon application and interview, is required. Professional Responsibility is a pre- or co-requisite.
Prerequisite: Professional Responsibility. Semesters offered: fall, spring.