Description:

The Health Equity Pro Bono Project addresses disparities in health access caused by legal issues and works with the medical and legal communities to identify and address unmet legal needs. The project aims to help disadvantaged individuals access services and resources at the intersection of medical and legal needs through the work of volunteer law students. Students in the Health Equity Pro Bono Project pursue this goal through policy advocacy, casework, and research projects. This year, the Health Equity Pro Bono Project will continue our partnership with Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County to get members involved in a variety of projects, including (1) helping with litigation preparation for medical debt recovery lawsuits; (2) pre-litigation research on individuals being wrongly sued by medical debt collectors; and (3) minor casework related to cases from NLSLA’s direct services hotline.

Commitment Required of Members:

On the busiest of weeks, 4 hours per week. Members may be asked to help draft policy letters with 1-2 week turnaround. We also estimate 1-2 clinics over the course of the year that members can prepare for and attend.

Open Membership Spots: 6

Adv. Degree Student Participation: Permitted

Winter Start: Fall Start Preferred, But Winter Start Permitted

Eligible for Meeting NYS Bar Pro Bono Requirement: Likely

Language Ability Preference: No Language Skills Required, But Those With Commonly Spoken Language Skills (e.g., Spanish, Mandarin) Encouraged to Apply

Project Leaders: Bowen He and David Jiang