Civil Practice Clinic - Elder
| Term: Spring Term 2011-12 |
| Catalog Number: 5391 |
| Class Number: 14701 |
| Room: LAW G46. |
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Class Schedule:
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| Instructor: Martha M. Mannix |
| Type: Clinic |
| Credits: 7.0 Credits (5.0 classroom contact, 2.0 field) |
| Requirements: Professional Skills. |
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Enrollment Limit: 8.
Enrollment in this course requires special permission. See the note below or contact the Registrar for more information. Pre-Registration Clinic Orientation Meeting is required. See Law Registrar. |
| Priority: Departmental Consent |
The Civil Practice Clinics offer students who have completed three semesters of law school an opportunity to represent clients and develop practical lawyering. Students enrolled in the Clinics are certified to practice law and take primary responsibility for client representation under the supervision of their faculty/supervising attorneys.
Elder Law Clinic representation focuses on issues of capacity in medical treatment, mental health law, estate planning, contractual relations, and property management. Emphasis will be placed on long term planning, including estate planning and medical assistance (Medicaid) eligibility. Litigation skills focuses on practice in the Orphans’ Court Division, for example, guardianship proceedings and settlement of small estates. Students will develop practical skills such as interviewing, counselling, research, drafting, negotiation, and trial practice skills. Students may work in teams to represent their clients.
The classroom component is an integral part of the Clinic experience, consisting of a series of discussions focusing on substantive law, policy, and practical skills training. The skills component of the course will be taught in tandem with the Health Law Clinic. Experts in the fields of social work, psychology, psychiatry, and medicine will provide insights into interdisciplinary issues.
Additional Info
The course will require a substantial time commitment and involve on a weekly basis four hours of classroom instruction, one hour of meetings with the supervising faculty, six mandatory office hours (104 hours in client work during the semester), and approximately 8-10 additional hours weekly in clinic work and class preparation.
Grading
Grading is based on client relations, class attendance and participation; written assignments; performance in simulations; and community outreach. Client relations includes: student performance in court, student diligence with respect to client work, and competence in handling live-client casework. Letter grades will be issued.
