Insurance Law Clinic – 7008

The Insurance Law Clinic offers 2Ls and 3Ls an excellent opportunity to learn litigation skills and insurance basics while effectively and confidently representing individuals during all stages of an insurance claim and/or dispute with an insurer.

Work will include investigating, preparing and tendering an insurance claim, writing demand letters to insurers, drafting litigation pleadings, including complaints, discovery documents, motions, briefs, settlement agreements and other court documents, dealing with clients and opposing counsel, and courtroom litigation and ADR.

The Clinic’s coverage cases deal with many types of insurance, including: auto liability, homeowner’s property, health and disability, life, and commercial general liability (CGL).

Through classroom instruction and case supervision, students will learn the basic concepts and legal principles involved in property and liability insurance, and they will gain experience in a broad range of practice skills, such as negotiation, legal writing, case investigation, mediation, client counseling and state court practice.

Additional Commitments: Students typically handle 3-4 cases a year and work in teams of two student attorneys. Student attorney teams may change throughout the year, depending on which students decide to take on new cases. In addition to weekly class meetings, students can expect to work 5-10 hours per week on their cases.

What to expect when working on cases and with clients: Student attorneys will meet with clients in person, on the phone, and are expected to correspond with clients in a timely manner. Clients of the Insurance Law Clinic are usually low-income individuals involved in insurance disputes, including their health, auto, or homeowner’s insurer. Student attorneys are encouraged to think critically and creatively in finding solutions to their clients’ legal issues.

NOTE: This course requires certification pursuant to the student practice rule and is open to JD students only.