About the Elder Law Clinic

St. John's Elder Law Clinic is an on-campus public interest law firm and a one-semester, in-house clinical program.

  • Students receive four credits for participation.
  • This is a graded course.
  • Students are required to work in the Clinic 13 hours a week (20 hours a week during the summer program).
  • There is a weekly two-hour seminar component (two weekly seminars during the summer program).
The Elder Law Clinic addresses the legal needs of Queens' senior citizens and affords students the opportunity to develop essential legal skills and practical legal knowledge while serving the community. Students develop not only an understanding of substantive law, but also an appreciation for what it means to have a real client and to advocate effectively for that client. The Clinic enables students to take what they have learned in the classroom and apply that knowledge in helping people with real legal problems. "The overall goals of this clinical experience are to provide quality legal representation to Clinic clients who would otherwise go unrepresented, and to teach students how to become effective advocates," says Professor Ann Goldweber, the Director of the Clinic.