Health Justice Project

Catalog description

The Health Justice Project is a medical-legal partnership clinic that provides law students with an intensive, challenging education in the fundamentals of legal practice, interdisciplinary collaboration, creative upstream problem solving, poverty law, systemic advocacy, and professionalism. Through collaborative and holistic representation of vulnerable low-income families and individuals, student attorneys will address the social, legal and systemic barriers that prevent long-term health and stability. HJP student attorneys may handle cases in a variety of areas of law including public benefits, access to health care, disability, education, housing, family law, as well as other areas of law that impact client health and well-being. Enrollment in the Clinic requires a significant time commitment and flexibility in the student's schedule. Students are required to manage their own cases in teams of two, maintain client relationships, attend hearings and court appearances, collaborate with interdisciplinary partners, and tend to other client matters throughout the semester. Students must be available to participate in a mandatory orientation prior to the start of the semester. LAW 755 -022 Student attorneys will address the health harming legal needs of vulnerable low-income families and individuals by conducting holistic client intake interviews with patients referred by HJPs health partners, issue spotting, engaging in legal research, identifying appropriate resources, and drafting intake memos and advice and referral letters to clients. Students may handle cases in a variety of areas of law including public benefits, access to health care, disability, education, housing, family law, as well as other areas of law that impact client health and well-being. Enrollment in the Clinic requires a significant time commitment and flexibility in the student's schedule. Students are required to manage their own intakes, collaborate with HJP partners, and be responsive to supervising attorneys.