Special Education Clinic and Fieldwork [Fall (6 credits) and Spring (2 credits)]

Professors Deborah Archer & Kim Sweet

Provides a hands-on lawyering experience for students while providing assistance and advocacy to New York City parents fighting for the educational rights of their children with disabilities. Students will provide representation to parents of children with disabilities in special education administrative proceedings against the City of New York, securing appropriate educational services through negotiation, mediation, administrative due process hearings or a court hearing. The Clinic works with New York Lawyers for the Public Interest (“NYLPI”), a leading civil rights firm working to secure social justice for impoverished New Yorkers. NYLPI will refer clients to the Clinic and assist the Clinic in its representation. During both the spring and fall semesters students will work on special education cases. During the fall semester, weekly seminars will focus on relevant substantive law and lawyering skills, including client and witness interviewing, fact investigation and analysis, counseling, negotiation and trial advocacy. Seminar sessions will also address special issues involved in working with children and the examination of medical experts. During the spring semester, students are expected to devote an average of 12 hours per week to the course, including case work and weekly meetings with clinical faculty.There are no seminar sessions during the spring semester.

Recommended Courses: Trial Advocacy and Negotiation, Counseling and Interviewing.