Psychologically-Informed Lawyering in Clinical Practice will examine psychological issues that affect lawyers and the clients we serve in critically important and potentially determinative ways. Open to upper-level clinic students, this course will incorporate discussion of clinic clients' legal issues and lived experiences as well as how student practitioners are affected by this work. Topics will include mental health issues, substance abuse, historical, direct, and vicarious trauma, public and private mental health services, challenges to well-being in the legal profession, and developing professional skills informed by these and other considerations. This class seeks to foster dialogue across practice areas, build community across clinics, develop students' understanding of and compassion for clients with psychological challenges, and enhance client representation. We will consider psychological factors at the individual, family, and societal/structural levels to develop a base of knowledge and skills more broadly applicable than in a single case or area of law.
For details on class times, days of the week, instructors, and grading and exam details, please view the Michigan Law Class Schedule.