Elder Law
A Unique Perspective
Loyola created the Elder Law Initiative in July 2000 to help address the growing need for attorneys who have an understanding of elder law issues.
The primary goals of the Initiative are to acquaint students with the unique legal needs of the elderly and to prepare students to serve the legal needs of the elderly throughout their careers.
In addition, the Elder Law Initiative, a component of the Beazley Institute for Health Law and Policy, serves the elderly community in Illinois enhancing faculty expertise on elder issues by consolidating and further developing Loyola's existing strengths on elder issues. The Initiative prepares students to advocate on behalf of the elderly as well as to litigate.
Initial funding for the Elder Law Initiative was provided by John Goedart, Loyola University Chicago School of Law, '40. Additional funding comes from the Retirement Research Foundation and an Illinois First Grant.
Clinic and Public Service Projects
The Elder Law Initiative currently includes the Elder Law Clinic and opportunities for students to participate in community service projects. These projects expose students to the range of legal problems facing the elderly, particularly the low-income elderly. Community service projects also illustrate the variety of ways on which lawyers can and do use their training to advocate on behalf of the elderly in addition to litigation.
Law students interested in building a specialty in Elder Law can take advantage of the following curriculum:
Full-time faculty, outside practitioners and faculty from within Loyola's Institute for Health Law teach Elder Law courses.
Marguerite Angelari
Director, Elder Law Initiative
Clinical Professor, School of Law
William C. Sullivan Jr. Clinical Teaching Fellowship
The William C. Sullivan Jr. Clinical Teaching Fellowship focuses on the needs of visually-impaired elderly. Funded by School of Law alumnus Bernard J. Beazley, Class of 1950, and named for his father-in-law, the Fellowship creates an opportunity for a Loyola law school graduate to try clinical teaching.
Beazley, a member of the Dean's Circle, has successfully assisted senior citizens facing legal issues. He believes, however, that those who have lost or are losing their eyesight need special attention when executing documents they cannot read.
Students who have completed at least one semester of the Elder Care Clinic at Loyola before graduation are eligible for consideration. More information is available by contacting Professor Angelari at 312.915.7835 or e-mail: mangela@luc.edu.
Christopher T. Hurley Lecture Series in Elder Law
Established by Christopher T. Hurley, Class of 1984, in 2002, the Christopher T. Hurley Lecture Series on Elder Law brings nationally recognized thought-leaders in issues relating to elder law and elder care to the campus.
Hurley developed his interest and expertise in supporting the elderly through his work in the rights of elders, who are abused or neglected in nursing homes.
The inaugural lecture, "Monitory Guardianships of Elderly Adults: New and Innovative Practices," was delivered by Sally Hurme, J.D., with the AARP.
