Health, Disability and Planning: Law and Policy Clinical Workshop A
Fall term, Block L
W 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Mr. Robert Greenwald
2 classroom credits LAW-38093A Fall
2, 3 or 4 required clinical credits LAW-38093C Fall
The Health, Disability and Planning: Law and Policy Clinical Workshop provides students, who are enrolled in the Legal Services Center's Administrative/Disability, Health, and Estate Planning Law Clinics, with the practical skills and substantive knowledge necessary to effectively advocate for a diverse range of clients in and out of the courtroom. Objectives of the course include: understanding the statutes and rules applicable in health, disability and estate planning law cases; enhancing student understanding of the professional roles, values and ethics involved in the practice of law; developing practical lawyering skills; and analyzing and proposing advocacy approaches to contemporary health care issues. The course emphasizes the health care law and policy needs of underrepresented populations, including individuals living with HIV/AIDS, the terminally ill, disabled and frail elderly.
The workshop is hands-on and group oriented and most classes involve both small and large-group exercises and discussions. Throughout the course, we work on a hypothetical case from the initial client interview through the final disposition of the case. Students conduct in-depth interviews with the client, write the necessary memoranda in her case, prepare a case and client theory, counsel her as the facts of her case evolve, engage in settlement negotiations on her behalf, and reflect on ethical issues confronted in the course of "representation." In addition, students will prepare a memorandum and present on one of their ongoing active cases at the Legal Services Center and will lead class discussion on the case. There is no final examination or paper for this course. Students will be evaluated based on their preparation for and participation in class exercises and discussions.
A clinical practice component is required of all students. Clinical placements will be at the WilmerHale Legal Services Center (for more information on the clinical work, contact Robert Greenwald rgreenwa@law.harvard.edu or 617-390-2584). Enrollment will occur during clinical registration. Please refer to the Office of Clinical and Pro Bono Programs (www.law.harvard.edu/academics/clinical) for clinical course registration dates and early add/drop deadlines.