Clinic - Helping Elders Through Litigation and Policy Help

The five credit HELP clinic will expose students to the complex and cutting edge legal and social justice issues facing older adults and their advocates. Students will be placed at one of several legal service organizations including Brooklyn Legal Services, JASA's Legal/Social Work Elder Abuse (LEAP) Program, the Vera Institute of Justice Guardianship Project, Adult Protective Service Office of Legal Affairs and NYLAG Elder Law Unit. The accompanying seminar will be taught by Deirdre Lok, Assistant Director and General Counsel for the Weinberg Center or Elder Justice, the nation's first elder abuse shelter. The seminar will use an intersectional elder abuse and trauma lens to examine the broad spectrum of legal issues facing older adults. Placements and seminar will offer valuable skill building in marketable areas such as client interviewing and document drafting. Expert guest lecturers from a variety of disciplines including doctors, prosecutors, government officials and mental health professionals will supplement students' experience. This clinic offers resume building potential through the option of published authorship and professional networking with an eye towards employment opportunities. Seminar Credits: 2.00

Grading:
Letter grade only.