Health and Environmental Practice Clinic

The Health and Environmental Justice Practice Clinic provides students the opportunity to advocate for underserved and historically marginalized communities and individuals, and to support governmental efforts for environmental justice and health justice.The core of the Clinic’s work is student advocacy for environmental and health equity. Students work on either health access or environmental justice issues. Students are placed in externships with community and government partners where they work to dismantle legal barriers that negatively impact the health and well–being of vulnerable communities and individuals. Clinic students also act as advocates for community, non-profit, educational, faith-based, and other organizations and groups engaged in work designed to further environmental and health justice. Coursework for the Health and Environmental Justice Practice Clinic examines how the Constitution, statutes, and the common law frame these issues. Class time focuses on advanced practice skills needed to transition from law students to practice-ready attorneys. Classroom discussions are designed to help students connect theory to practice, and frequently include guest lectures from practicing attorneys.Health-focused students immerse themselves in the right to adequate health care, access to insurance and government-supported health programs, immigrant access to health services, challenging discrimination, and the ways in which government authorities can promote the public health and health equity. Students focus on those who are denied access, coverage, or quality of care due to race, citizenship, gender, LGBTQIA+ identities, disability, or lack of financial resources. Classroom discussions examine how the law determines access to health care and regulates the quality of patient care. Areas of law included in this examination include the federal Affordable Care Act, Medicaid, and Medicare, and the responsibilities of medical professionals, drug companies, and government entities to promote and protect health.Environmental-focused students immerse themselves in the right to a safe, healthy, clean, and sustainable environment. Working alongside underserved communities, students advocate for community access to renewable energy, pollution prevention and enforcement in frontline communities, and healthy, lead-free homes. Students learn from experienced practitioners about building the skills they will need to advocate for environmental and climate justice. Classroom discussions identify the justice gaps in existing environmental laws and prepare students to engage with all levels of government in pursuit of environmental equity. Students devise strategies to facilitate effective community participation in environmental decision-making under NEPA, SEQRA, and CERCLA, with a special emphasis on environmental justice communities in New York City.