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Health Law Clinic
Class Term:
Fall Term 2022-2023
Catalog Number:
5744
Professor(s):
Professor
Clinic
Credits:
4 (2 Contact, 2 Field)
Graduation Requirements:
Experiential Learning
Priority:
Limited Enrollment - 3rd Year Priority
Full Year Course:
No
Category:
Standard Courses
Additional Information
The Health Law Clinic is a two-semester clinic. Only 3Ls may register. Credits for the Health Law Clinic are allocated as follows: 2 credits of classroom contact and 2 credits of supervised field work per semester. In addition to the weekly seminar, students should expect to spend approximately 8-10 additional hours each week in clinic work and class preparation.
Grading Details
Grading is based on: 1) acquisition and demonstration of a range of professional competencies; 2) scores on quizzes and written assignments; and 3) attendance and participation in seminar, case rounds and supervision meetings. Students will receive a grade at the conclusion of each semester, however, in the event that a student does not complete the second semester the student shall receive a W for the course, thus nullifying the grade for the prior semester. Students will receive 4 credits per semester.
Description
Health Law Clinic is a medical-legal partnership with UPMC - Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. Medical-legal partnerships enable legal advocates to collaborate with a patient’s medical care team. Recognizing that acute, preventative, and rehabilitative care are only part of the whole health equation, the Health Law Clinic specifically addresses the role of income, education, caregiver stability, and self-determination on patient health. Providing “legal care” in the form of access to counsel can mitigate the collateral impact on mental and physical health that legal problems can cause. Students in this clinic will receive substantive instruction in childhood SSI, adult guardianship, and special education law. Students will have opportunities to represent parents of children with disabilities in administrative hearings, in Orphan’s Court, as well as in negotiations with area school districts. The Health Law Clinic provides a meaningful opportunity to gain course credit while acquiring and developing practical legal skills.