Emerging Issues in Poverty Law

In this seminar survey course students are introduced to major areas of poverty law as well as access to justice issues facing our legal system.
Through readings and classroom discussions with experts, students will explore emerging issues in poverty law such as:
* Housing: landlord/tenant - eviction defense, subsidized housing and mortgage foreclosure defense;
* Family: domestic violence - protection orders and child custody and child support;
* Government entitlements: Food Stamps, Medicaid, Social Security Disability - SSI, Social Security Retirement, and Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (welfare);
* Consumer protection: fair debt collection, bankruptcy, fair credit reporting, truth in lending and unfair and deceptive acts and practices;
* Worker-side employment and Unemployment Insurance;
* Education law: expulsions and special education;
* Elder law; and
* Access to justice.
Students choose a pressing poverty law issue and write a modest length paper and present it to the class. Grades will be based on class presentation and paper.