Professor Dan Nagin; 8 Credits
Students in this yearlong clinic advocate on behalf of poor families who experience legal problems connected with welfare reform and public benefit programs.
Clinic students address the legal needs of low-income families who seek or receive public benefits, or who are former public benefit recipients attempting to make the transition to financial independence. The clinic helps most clients gain access to — or prevent the termination of — needed benefits and support services. For some clients, the clinic may advocate in other contexts, such as helping parents address consumer law or employment law problems that arise when they enter or re-enter the workforce. Students have a variety of lawyering opportunities, including the chance to conduct administrative hearings, to brief and argue court challenges to agency decisions, and to present community legal education workshops. Students may also have opportunities to engage in public policy advocacy and to develop and work on impact litigation cases. The clinic includes a seminar component in which students learn the relevant substantive law, ethical requirements and advocacy skills necessary for the representation of clinic clients.
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