The Elder Law Clinic is a three (3) credit hour course (590 D). The course will be graded on a pass/fail basis. All Clinic students must become law student interns under Rule 7 of the Hawaii Supreme Court Rules. Rule 7 requires that students be enrolled and be in good standing as an undergraduate at the University of Hawaii School of Law and have completed legal studies amounting to one-third (1/3) of the requirements for graduation and be enrolled in a clinical program at the law school. A copy of Rule 7 is appended as Appendix A. You are required to read the rule (and the referenced portions of the Code of Professional Responsibility) so that you will become familiar with the rights and responsibilities of Rule 7 law student interns.
Seminar sessions will focus on developing each student's lawyering skills and knowledge of pertinent substantive law. Students will receive instruction in interviewing, factual development, counseling, negotiation, trial preparation and trial advocacy principles and techniques. Significant opportunities to practice these skills, as well as to grow into the professional role, occur through your representation of clients in actual cases under the supervision of your professor or other UHELP staff supervisors. You will be required to interview our senior partner, CJ Richardson and another “senior citizen” consultant as part of your training.
Direct legal assistance activities such as intake, case work, counseling, document preparation/execution, education and training may also take place at a variety of locations, including the law school, senior citizen meeting places, institutions, and even private homes. Outreach is an important component of the program and students are expected to make their own transportation arrangements. Students should plan on visiting at least two senior citizen meeting places, one healthcare institution and one private home during the semester. More than one home visit for a client may be necessary, depending on the type of case presented. The UHELP law clerks have significant experience in the office and with legal issues relating to older persons and will be working closely with the Elder Law Clinic law student interns. |
