New Poverty Law Class

A new Poverty Law course will examine the intersection of poverty and the law in the United States.

The course exposes students to a basic understanding of what poverty is and why it’s important. Topics include constitutional issues about poverty, housing, immigration, labor exploitation, and access to justice. There will be a focus on how poverty impacts health law, as well as the implications of the criminalization of poverty. The course will highlight the ways these issues impact people living on Long Island and discuss how to increase access to justice for the underserved.

The course was developed and is being taught by Cate Carbonaro, Director of the Public Advocacy Center and Public Interest and Adjunct Professor of Law. She stated, “I want students to explore how the intersection of race, gender, and identity is impacted by poverty. Students will learn the basic substantive material of poverty law so that they can bring that knowledge into practice following law school. This class prepares students for clinics, public interest practice, and to be better advocates in our community. The course will introduce students to our William Randolph Hearst Public Advocacy Center (PAC). Students can also fulfill their pro bono graduation requirement as part of this class.”

Students who complete this course will be able analyze laws and policies impacting poverty, and be able to put themselves into the shoes of different parties, understanding how parties to a dispute will view things from their unique perspectives.

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