clinics
Health Law Externship Placement Information
Students:
1. Please review information carefully as different placements have different application requirements. Please also indicate in your cover letter whether you are applying for the fall, spring, or summer semester.
2. When an organization indicates they will take 2Ls, they generally will consider 1Ls during the summer after their first year. Likewise, if the organization states they prefer a 3L, they will generally consider a 2L the summer after their second year.
3. If you are interested
in a placement that is not on this list, please contact Professor Erma Bonadero at ecbonade@central.uh.edu to ensure the placement meets the
Law Center’s requirements for academic credit.
Baylor College of Medicine, Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy
Baylor College of Medicine- Office of General Counsel
Baylor College of Medicine - Risk Management
Disability Law Resource Project
Lone Star Legal Aid – Government Entitlements
Mayor's Office, City of Houston, Office of Health Policy
M.D. Anderson Cancer Center – Ethics Department
Methodist Hospital, Business Services
Methodist Hospital, Claims & Litigation
Methodist Hospital Legal Services Department (General Counsel)
Office of the City Attorney, City of Houston (Environmental)
Texas Children's Hospital, Risk Management
U.S. Attorney's Office – Medicare Fraud
U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs
UTMB at Galveston – Office of Institutional Compliance (Galveston)
The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Legal Services
Advocacy,
Inc.
Organization Information:
Advocacy Inc. is a non-profit organization created and funded by the United States Congress to advocate for the legal and human rights of individuals with disabilities. The Protection & Advocacy system for the state of Texas.
Externship Information:
Description of Activities for Students: Client interviews, draft pleadings, draft discovery, draft discovery responses, research, writing memos, assist with depositions, attend mediations, assist with intake and staffing of cases assist with trials and administrative hearings.
Positions Considered: Fall Academic Extern, Spring Academic Extern, Summer Academic Extern, Law Student Volunteers and Summer Public Interest Fellow
Minimum hours: 4
Will accept: 1L, 2L, 3L and FLLM
Provide: Resume and Writing Sample
Contact Information:
Name: Elaine B. Roberts, Legal Director
Address: 1500 McGowan, Suite 100, Houston, TX 77004
Phone: 713-974-7691 (Houston) 512-454-4816 (Austin)
Fax: 713-974-7695
Email: eroberts@advocacyinc.org
Website: www.advocacyinc.org
Advocacy Inc. has 14 offices across the state and will accept applications for positions at all 14 locations. Please see website for list of locations. All resumes should be sent to Elaine B. Roberts, Legal Director, regardless of location sought.
Baylor College of Medicine, Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy
Organization Description: The Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy consists of four faculty members, two of whom are lawyers. The lawyer faculty members teach law and ethics courses to medical students and residents; conduct research into various legal issues; participate in policy development; and serve on ethics committees at various Texas Medical Center institutions.
Externship Description: Students may have the opportunity to conduct research and write on issues related to health care policy, law, and ethics in addition to shadowing the supervisor in other activities.
Level of Student Considered: 2L, 3L, LLM
Positions Available: Fall Academic Extern; Spring Academic Extern; Summer Academic Extern
Need: Ongoing
Number of Students Needed: One per semester
Provide: Cover Letter, Resume, Writing Sample and References
Interview: Yes
Other Requirements: Security/Background Check
The student must have taken the introduction to health law course. The ideal candidate would have an interest in bioethics.
Contact Information:
Amy McGuire, JD, PhD
Assistant Professor
Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy, Baylor College of Medicine
One Baylor Plaza, Suite 310D
Houston, TX 77030
713-798-2029
www.bcm.edu/ethics/
Baylor College of Medicine- Office of General Counsel
Organization Information
Private Medical school and research institution.
Externship Information
Description of Externship Opportunity: Legal research on a variety of issues including but not limited to healthcare, intellectual property, employment, and corporate issues. Attend team meetings on occasion with staff attorneys.
Positions Considered: Fall Academic Extern, Spring Academic Extern and Summer Academic Extern
Will accept: 2L, 3L, FLLM and LLM
Number of students needed: 1 per semester
Number of Hours required: 180 or 240- student's choice
Provide: Cover Letter and Resume
Interview: Yes
Other Requirements: Security/Background Check; Professional Responsibility
Contact Information
Name: Cyndi M. Baily, SVP and General Counsel
Address: One Baylor Plaza, Room 106A, Houston, TX 77030
Phone: 713-798-6392
Fax: 713-798-6368
Email: cbaily@bcm.tmc.edu
Website: www.bcm.tmc.edu
Baylor College of Medicine, Risk Management
Organization Information:
Please see details about placement and specific application requirements here
Externship Information:
Positions Considered: Fall Academic Extern, Spring Academic Extern and Summer Academic Extern
Will accept: 3L and LLM
Number of students needed: 1 persemester
Provide: Cover Letter, Resume, and Writing Sample
Interview: Yes
Contact Information:
Name: Brenda Hart, J.D.
HIPAA Privacy Officer
Manager, Education and Risk Analysis
Address: One Baylor Plaza
MC No. BCM208
Houston, Texas 77030
Phone: 713-798-4509
Fax: 713-798-4423
Email: bhart@bcm.tmc.edu
Website: www.bcm.tmc.edu
Disability Law Resource Project
Organization Information
The Disability Law Resource Project (DLRP) is the Southwest's leading resource on the Americans with Disabilities Act, related laws and making Information Technology accessible to people with disabilities. The DLRP serves a wide range of audiences who are interested in or impacted by these laws, including employers, businesses, government agencies, schools and people with disabilities.
Externship Information
Description of Activities for Students: Students would assist attorneys with legal research on disability related issues. Research scope would include the Americans with Disabilities Act, Fair Housing Act, Rehabilitation Act, Family and Medical Leave Act, and Air Carrier Access Act along with various disability related state laws.
Positions Considered: Fall Academic Extern, Spring Academic Extern, Summer Academic Extern, Summer Public Interest Fellow and Law Student Volunteers
Will accept: 2L, 3L, LLM and FLLM
Number of students needed: 1 per semester
Minimum Hours:180
Provide: Resume and References
Interview: Yes
Other Requirements: Employment Law or Disability class preferred
Contact Information
Name: Vinh Nguyen, Director of Legal Research
Address: 2323 S. Shepherd, Suite 1000, Houston, TX 77019
Phone: 713-520-0232 ext. 121
Fax: 713-520-5785
Email: vinhn@bcm.tmc.edu
Website: www.dlrp.org
Lone Star Legal Aid – Government Entitlements
Organization Information
Lone Star Legal Aid provides representation in civil matters to low-income citizens of seventy-two counties in the eastern region of Texas.
Externship Information
Description of Activities for Students: Assisting staff attorney with the handling of client's legal problems. Students in the health law clinic will work predominately on social security, worker's compensation, Medicaid, Medicare, and other access to care issues.
Positions Considered: Fall Academic Extern, Spring Academic Extern and Summer Academic Extern
Will accept: 1L, 2L and 3L
Provide: A brief statement of interest and a resume
Contact Information:
Name: Robert Sohns
Address:1415 Fannin, Suite 300, Houston, TX 77002
Phone: 713-652-0077
Fax: 713-652-3815
Email: rsohns@lonestarlegal.org
Website: http://www.lonestarlegal.org/
Mayor's Office, City of Houston, Office of Health Policy and Office of the City Attorney, City of Houston
Organization Information
The City is focused on improving the quality of life in Houston, demonstrating that economic development and environmental protection are not independent of one another, and on making the City of Houston the most efficient City government. The Office of Health Policy focuses on public health and environmental issues. Lawyers within the Office of the City Attorney assist the Mayor’s Office and also conduct investigations and may bring enforcement actions against companies that violate state and city pollution laws.
Externship Information
Description of Activities for Students: Externs will be operating under the guidance of one of several experienced City of Houston lawyers. Potential projects include 1) access to health care: working with safety providers to increase access to care for low-income and uninsured residents; 2) drafting and revising ordinances to limit the emission of toxic substances in Houston; or which may impede environmentally friendly/sustainable construction and development; 3) research regarding procedures before the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to consider permitting various facilities; and 4) assisting environmental attorneys in assessing air and water pollution issues and bringing enforcement actions.
Positions Considered: Fall Academic Extern, Spring Academic Extern, Summer Academic Extern, Law Student Volunteers and Summer Public Interest Fellow
Minimum hours: 15 + hours per week
Will accept: 2L, 3L, LLM and FLLM
Number of students needed: 3 per semester
Provide: Resume and Cover Letter
Interview: Yes
Contact Information
Name: Elena Marks, Esq., Director of Health Policy or Paulette Wolfson
Address: 901 Bagby Street, Houston, TX 77002 Sr. Asst. City Attorney
Telephone: 713-247-1938 900 Bagby St., suite 300,
Fax: 713-247-2484 Telephone; 713 437 6708
Email:elena.marks@cityofhouston.net or Fax: 713 247 1017 www.houstontx.gov paulette.Wolfson@cityofhouston.net
M.D. Anderson Cancer Center- Ethics Department
Please see their website for application details: http://www.mdanderson.org/DEPARTMENTS/clinicethics/.
THIS IS A VOLUNTEER ONLY OPPORTUNITY AND IS NOT FOR ACADEMIC CREDIT AT THIS TIME.
The Methodist Hospital, Business Practices
Organization Information
Full Service Tertiary Care Hospital in the Texas Medical Center. Business Practices is the compliance and ethics department.
Externship Information
Description of Activities for Students: The identification and resolution of legal compliance issues; participate in meetings involving compliance oversight; possible presentations to staff and/or committees; research legal issues; prepare educational materials.
Positions Considered: Fall Academic Extern, Spring Academic Extern and Summer Academic Extern
Will accept: 2L, 3L and LLM
Number of students needed: 1 per semester
Minimum Hours: 12 hours per week
Interview: Yes
Provide: Resume, Transcripts and Writing Sample
Other Requirements: Helpful to have had general introduction to Health Law
Contact Information
Cathy Meents
Business Practices Analyst
The Methodist Hospital System
Business Practices Office
1130 Earle Street, Suite 200 (AX 200)
Houston, Texas 77030
713-383-5123
Website: www.methodisthealth.com
Methodist Hospital, Claims & Litigation Department (Risk Management)
Organization Information
The Department of Claims and Litigation strives to reduce and mitigate the likelihood of injury and the risk of loss with the Methodist system. Such activities include: Resolution of patient concerns in an efficient and just manner; management of claims and litigation involving Methodist entities; corporate representation in litigation and mediation; practice-centered legal and risk related education; tracking, legal analysis and implementation of pertinent federal and state regulations; legal evaluation and consultation of Methodist policies; and participation in federal reporting programs.
Externship Information
Description of Activities for Students: The Law Student Extern will be exposed to the above practices during his/her time spent in the Claims and Litigation Department. Students will be assigned to work with various staff members on a variety of complex risk and legal issues in a non-traditional legal environment. Externs will have the opportunity to participate in the various stages of claims and ongoing litigation. In particular, work-product may include drafting legal memorandums, analyzing and interpreting federal and state healthcare guidelines, medical records review, drafting corporate policy, and preparing legal teaching tools for employees. Externs may also attend depositions and trial, should opportunity present.
Will Accept: 2L, 3L, LLM and FLLM
Minimum Hours: 10 hours per week
Students Needed: 2 per semester
Provide: Resume and Cover Letter
Interview: Yes
Other Requirements: Health Law Courses preferred
Contact Information
Name: Gina Andrews, RN JD, Director, Claims and Litigation
Address: 1130 Earle Street, Suite AX 200, Houston, TX 77030
Phone: 713-383-5100
Fax: 713-669-9986
Email: gandrews@tmh.tmc.edu
Methodist Hospital Legal Services Department
Organization Information
The Methodist Hospital is one of the largest non-profit hospitals in the country, and has 3 community hospitals as well. The intern will work in the Medical Center facility in the general counsel's office.
Externship Information
Description of Activities for Students: Draft correspondence; attend meetings with Methodist lawyer; draft policies, procedures, contracts, and medical staff document; legal research. Most common issues will involve managed care, medical staff, fraud and abuse, EMTALA, and contractual issues.
Positions Considered: Fall Academic Extern, Spring Academic Extern and Summer Academic Extern
Will accept: 2L, 3L and LLM
Provide: Cover Letter, Resume and Transcript
Other Requirements: Prefer a student who is in the health law program
Organization Information
This position is with in-house counsel. Students will assist attorneys with a variety of general practice issues including, but not limited to, hospital policies, business transactions and intellectual property.
Contact Information
Name: Ann Thielke
Address: 3100 Main St., Ste. 674, Houston, Texas 77002
Phone: 832-355-3403
Texas Association of Business
Organization Information TAB is the principal general association representing Texas business to state and federal governments. TAB also acts as a state-level coordinating body for many Texas chambers of commerce. Externship Information Description of Activities for Students:The Texas Association of Business is a leading advocate for reforms to the health care system that will control costs and improve quality in order to make health insurance more affordable and accessible to employers and their employees. Health care fraud is a serious issue for Texas employers. It is estimated that fraud accounts for three to ten percent of the dollars spent on health care annually. This results in approximately $30 to $100 billion a year nationally being wasted on fraud being committed by providers and patients. TAB will be asking state lawmakers to address this issue during the 2005 legislative session by enacting health care fraud statutes modeled on the Deceptive Trade Practices Act and the federal False Claims Act. This internship will consist of completing research regarding current laws impacting health care fraud and drafting legislation to implement a Health Care Deceptive Trade Practices Act. Interns for this project will be located at the offices of the Texas Association of Business located at 1209 Nueces Street in Austin. Supervision for the project will be jointly provided by Richard Evans, TAB Vice President of Governmental Affairs and Ron Luke, J.D., Ph.D. Dr. Luke is an attorney with an active Texas license. Will accept:1L, 2L, 3L, LLM and FLLM Positions Considered: Fall Academic Extern, Spring Academic Extern and Summer Academic Extern Provide:Cover Letter, Resume, Transcript and Writing Sample Other Student Requirements/Preferences: We would prefer students whose undergraduate or non-law graduate education provides some preparation for policy analysis as well as legal research. TAB is willing to work with up to three students during the summer. Dates are flexible and can be negotiated. Contact Information Name: Shelton Green Address: 1209 Nueces Street in Austin Telephone: 512.637.7708 Email: revans@tabcc.org Return to top Texas Children's HospitalOrganization InformationNon-profit Corporation in the Texas Medical Center; 451 bed pediatric hospital and integrated health care delivery system; student placement is with the Office of the General Counsel.Externship InformationDescription of Activities for Students: Report directly to two Assistant General Counsel attorneys, perform legal research on a variety of legal topics, participate in medical staff and hospital committee meetings, draft memos and institutional policies, be involved first-hand in the operations of a General Counsel's office. Positions Considered: Fall Academic Externs, Spring Academic Externs and Summer Academic Externs Will accept: 3L and LLM Other Requirements: Must have strong desire to gain experience in the health law field; must have good analytical and writing skills. Contact InformationName: Sarah BrandoffPhone: 832-824-1224 Assistant General CounselTexas Children’s Hospital6621 Fannin, WF 440Houston, TX 77030Email: shbrando@texaschildrenshospital.org Return to top
Texas Children's Hospital, Risk ManagementOrganization Information
Texas Children's Hospital Integrated Delivery System is a non-profit organization comprised of Texas Children's Hospital, Texas Children’s Pediatric Associates, Texas Children’s Health Centers, Texas Children’s Home Health Services, Texas Children’s Health Plan, and Texas Children’s International.
Externship Information
Description of Externship Opportunities: Risk Management is an IDS-wide program for the prevention, monitoring, and control of areas of potential liability exposure. Students will assist with legal research on various healthcare-related topics and may have an opportunity to observe/participate in IDS Risk Management activities.Will Accept: 2L, 3L, LLMSemesters Considered: As NeededNumber of Students Needed: OneMinimum Number of Hours Required at the Externship Per Week: 10
Provide: Cover letter, resume, writing sample
Interview: Yes
Other Requirements: Health Law is a plus but not required. We definitely want someone who is interested in health law. Journal experience is also a plus.
Contact Information
Mayson Mead-Planck
Assistant Director, Risk Management
6621 Fannin St., WF 375
Houston, TX 77030
Phone: 832.824.1226
Fax: 832.825.1326
Email: mlmead@texaschildrenshospital.org
Website: www.texaschildrenshospital.org
U.S. Attorney's Office
Organization Information The United States Attorney for the Southern District of Texas is the chief federal law enforcement officer in this area, which includes Houston, Galveston, Corpus Christi, Brownsville, Laredo, McAllen, and Victoria. The U.S. Attorney's Office criminally and civilly prosecutes individuals and corporate entities that violate federal laws. The office also civilly represents federal agencies that have been sued. Externship Information Description of Activities for Students: The students will assist Assistant U.S. Attorneys in Medicaid/Medicare Fraud cases. They will perform legal research, draft legal memorandums, and attend trials, hearings, depositions, and mediations. Positions Considered: Fall Academic Extern, Spring Academic Extern and Summer Academic Extern Will accept: 1L, 2L, 3L and LLM Return to top
U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs
Organization Information Department of Veterans Affairs - Regional Counsel Externship Information Description of Activities for Students:Investigate and develop medical malpractice and personal injury claims; answer general medical legal, guardianship, real estate, and domestic relations questions; and assist with labor management matters and litigation. Positions Considered: Fall Academic Externs, Spring Academic Externs and Summer Academic Externs Will accept: 2L, 3L and FLLM Provide: Resume Other Requirements: While not required, a background in or knowledge with medicine or science would be beneficial. Contact Information Name: Kevin Curtis Address: 6900 Almeda Road, Houston, TX 77030 Telephone:713-383-2784Email:kevin.curtis@mail.va.gov Return to top
The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston- Office of Institutional Compliance
Organization
Information UTMB is a state
owned health system with over 14, 000 employees. There are 4 schools of higher
education (Medical, Nursing, Allied Health Sciences and the Graduate School
of Biomedical Sciences) and two institutes (Institute of Medical Humanities
and the Marine Biomedical Institute). There are six hospitals and over 100
clinics across the State of Texas. Additionally, UTMB treats 80% of the Texas
Department of Criminal Justice inmates in Texas. Externship
Information Description
of Activities for Students: The primary responsibilities of the interns will
be to assist on any Institutional Compliance projects that are underway. Most
likely interns will assist with HIPAA compliance and billing compliance issues.
Students may be asked to participate in privacy complaint investigations.
The ability of the student to work on compliance issues will depend on the
knowledge of the student and their experience in the health care industry.
Students will be required to research and write findings and to work with
department staff on implementation concerns as they arise. Positions Considered:
Summer Academic Extern
Will accept: 1L, 2L, 3L and FLLM Provide: Cover
Letter and Resume
Other Requirements: Students will be assigned tasks and be expected to complete
it without much direction. If students need direction they will have to have
initiative and be willing to ask for it. Asking for direction is encouraged
but this internship is ultimately what the student makes it. Students will
be asked to present any findings in a group setting. Students will also be
asked to attend meetings and should plan to dress accordingly. Other Comments:
UTMB will reimburse for parking only. Students will have to arrange to work
in Galveston. If you would like more information on UTMB and the UTMB’s
Office of Compliance please go to our website at http://www.utmb.edu/compliance/hipaa/default.htm
Contact Information Name: James
D. Kelso, J.D.,LL.M. (Health) Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialty
-- Health Law Address: 301
University Boulevard, Galveston, Texas 77555-0198 Telephone: 409-747-8705 Return to top The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Legal ServicesPositions Considered: Fall Academic ExternsProvide: Cover Letter and ResumeContact Information:
Barbara Brown
M.D. Anderson Cancer Center- Legal Services
1515 Holcombe Blvd., Unit 537Houston, TX 77030
Office of the City Attorney, City of Houston (Environmental)Organization Information
The City is focused on improving the quality of life in Houston by demonstrating that economic development and environmental protection are not independent of one another. Lawyers within the Office of the City Attorney assist the Mayor’s Office and also conduct investigations and may bring enforcement actions against companies that violate state and city pollution laws. The lawyers assess legislation, which may affect the environment and draft or revise city ordinances that deal with pollution, among other things.
Externship Information
Description of Activities for Students: Externs will be operating under the guidance of one of several experienced City Attorneys. Potential projects include: 1) research on permitting Coal Fired Power plants, including green house gas emissions, procedures before the TCEQ and Best available Control Technology determinations; 2) summarizing legislation which may affect the environment; 3) drafting and revising ordinances to limit the emission of toxic substances in Houston; or which may impede environmentally friendly/sustainable construction and development; 4) research regarding procedures before the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to consider permitting various facilities; 5) drafting comments on proposed rules at the state and federal level that may affect Houston; and 6) assisting environmental attorneys in assessing air and water pollution issues and bringing enforcement actions. The Intern/Extern will attend a monthly meeting with senior city staff, including the Mayor’s advisor on health and the environment. The intern/extern will be able to attend council committee meetings addressing environmental issues and council meetings when those items are on the agenda. This position offers a truly unique experience to see city government in action.
Positions Considered: Spring Academic Extern, Summer Academic Extern or Intern, Law Student Volunteers
Minimum hours: 15 + hours per week as class requires
Will accept: 2L, 3L, LLM
Number of students needed: 1 or 2 per semester
Provide: Resume, Cover Letter and Writing Sample
Interview: Yes
Contact Information
Name: Paulette Wolfson, Sr. Asst. City Attorney
Address: 900 Bagby Street, Ste. 300 Houston, TX 77002
Telephone: 713-437-6708
Fax: 713-247-1014
Email: Paulette. Wolfson@cityofhouston.net