Legal Profession: Delivery of Legal Services
Spring term, Block H/M
M 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM, T 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Ms. Jeanne Charn
3 classroom credits LAW-43300A
2, 3, or 4 optional clinical credits Spring LAW-43300C
High quality legal service in civil matters is beyond the financial reach of most people. This course addresses the policy and professional responsibility implications of expanding access to the civil justice system in the US. We will compare the US system to the much larger programs in peer nations. The course will emphasize the professional and institutional problems of allocating scarce resources among needy claimants and the difficulty in assuring quality and a strong consumer orientation in a subsidized delivery system. We will explore the possible contours of a more comprehensive delivery system, which might include on-line legal advice and other technological innovations; simplification of rules and procedures; expanded roles for paralegals; expanded roles for the private bar; vouchers and low fee/"low-bono" service; and pre-paid or legal insurance systems. We will meet weekly for two hours and we will have an additional two hour meeting six weeks during the semester, for a total of three classroom credits. The additional meetings will offer an opportunity to explore on the ground innovations and projects and, later in the term, for presentation of student course projects. This course meets the professional responsibility requirement for the J.D. degree.
There will be no examination but students will, in consultation with the course instructor, develop, carry out and write up a project or research paper that relates to making legal services available. Students may work on course projects individually, or in pairs or groups. Where appropriate and with permission of the instructor, completion of student projects may extend beyond the semester. Students may satisfy all or part of the J.D. written work requirement in connection with the course.
Students are welcome to elect a clinical component in connection with the course and to contact the course instructor by e-mail,
This course satisfies the Law School's professional responsibility requirement. Ordinarily, students may not enroll in two courses that satisfy the professional responsibility requirement. In situations where students receive permission to take a second course that satisfies the professional responsibility requirement, the second course may be reduced by one classroom credit if there is substantial overlap in professional responsibility coverage with the first course. Students should check with the Registrar's Office if they have a question about professional responsibility requirement courses.