The Sikov Elder Law Clinic is a one-semester clinic that aims to teach the practical skills to practice law successfully, focusing on legal issues affecting older adults. Clients are referred to the clinic from many community sources, such as hospitals, social workers, the Area Agency on Aging, local courts, and previous clients.
Fieldwork
- Students interview clients, conduct the necessary factual investigation and legal research for their cases, draft legal documents and pleadings, prepare clients for hearings, and represent them at hearings.
- Students may make community presentations on elder law issues. Students' court appearances predictably occur at guardianship hearings in the Orphans' Court under the supervision of the clinic’s supervising attorney.
- Students may work with a partner and have a caseload of between four and six cases at a time, all in various stages of development. Students must spend at least 104 hours during the semester (8-10 hours/week) representing clients.
- Students and the clinic’s supervising attorney meet for an average of five hours per week. In addition to two scheduled classes, an additional office hour/case rounds meeting is held each week to discuss students' client work. Substantive materials relevant to classes are posted on the Elder Law Clinic TWEN Web site.
Credits
7-one semester clinic
Transcript / Awarding of Credits
End of semester
Extension
The extension is 2 credits for one semester. Enrollment requires faculty authorization.
Eligibility Requirements / Prerequisites
Students who have completed three semesters of law school. Students must attend a clinic informational session or an open house before registration.