Civil Practice Clinic - Health Law
| Term: Spring Term 2010-11 |
| Catalog Number: 5393 |
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Class Schedule:
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| Instructor: Stella L. Smetanka |
| Type: Clinic |
| Credits: 7.0 Credits (5.0 classroom contact, 2.0 field) |
| Requirements: "W" Writing, 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 skills. 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.
Health Law Clinic students represent their clients at all stages of seeking disability benefits through the Social Security Administration. Students also represent clients in Orphans’ Court in guardianship cases and in the US District Court on health related matters. They interview clients initially and if the case is accepted, proceed to gather and interpret evidence, develop case theory, prepare hearing memoranda, and represent clients at hearings or in court.
The classroom component is an integral part of the Clinic experience and consist of a series of lectures and discussions focusing on substantive law, policy, and practical skills training. Classroom simulations are designed to ready students for client work, and include an ADR exercise. The skills component of the course will be taught in tandem with the Elder Law Clinic. Students may work in teams of two.
Additional Info
The course will require a substantial time commitment and involve on a weekly basis four hours of classroom instruction, one hour office meeting, six mandatory office hours each week (104 hours in client work during the semester), and approximately 8-10 additional hours weekly in clinic 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.
