This is the first book to give social workers the tools to understand their clients’ legal needs and rights and to address them collaboratively and effectively. The authors ground their text in a comprehensive grasp of the legal system and the inequities of race, class, and gender that shape clients’ experiences. Social Work Practice and the Law is a powerful call for social workers to be passionate and skillful advocates for their clients. Essential reading for social workers and lawyers alike who serve low-income people entangled in systems that so often fail them.
Dorothy Roberts, JD
George A. Weiss University Professor of Law and Sociology and the Raymond Pace and Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander Professor of Civil Rights at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School
The second edition is a concise guide to collaboration between social workers and attorneys to promote client advocacy and justice.
This textbook explores how social workers and lawyers can work together effectively by examining the history, principles, and best practices at the intersection of social work and the law. It uses social science research and real case examples to help social workers identify legal issues and work effectively with attorneys to support clients. With tools for interviews, testimony preparation, and interdisciplinary research, the second edition is especially useful for social work students preparing for practice in legal settings. Study, practice, and assess your understanding of course content withCourseConnect―an interactive learning platform included with your purchase.
What's New:
- Provides research and legal developments that include forensic social work, problem-solving courts, and legal reform
- Contains updated case examples that illustrate key concepts in practice
- Includes tools for reflection and application
- Offers expanded opportunities for students to connect theory with real-world practice
Key Features:
- Explores legal systems and best practices for interdisciplinary collaboration between social workers and lawyers
- Builds skills in legal issue identification, client advocacy, and collaboration with attorneys
- Includes case studies, interview models, research memos, and witness preparation tools
- Written by experienced social work and legal professionals with decades of joint practice
- Provides Instructor Resources that include Instructor's Manual and Instructor Chapter PowerPoint slides, Instructor Test Bank, and Transition Guide
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- Master Complex Concepts―Interactive learning activities simplify concepts and improve comprehension and retention.
- Track Your Progress―Real-time analytics and self-assessments help you identify strengths and focus on areas for improvement.
- Study Anytime, Anywhere―Enjoy seamless access to your eBook and study tools whenever and wherever you need them.
- Help Whenever You Need It―Course Coach provides answers, summaries, and practice questions to keep you moving forward and build confidence.
Through purchase of this product, you'll get a license to continuous access to this CourseConnect course for as long as you need it, subject to our Terms of Use.
Lyn K. Slater, MSW, PhD, is a Clinical Associate Professor at the Fordham University Graduate School of Social Services and Adjunct Professor of Law at the Fordham University School of Law.
Kara R. Finck, JD, is a Practice Professor of Law and Director of the Interdisciplinary Child Advocacy Clinic at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School. Previously, she was the Managing Attorney of the Family Defense Practice at The Bronx Defenders, where she created a groundbreaking interdisciplinary legal practice for parents involved in the child welfare system. Her areas of specialty include child welfare, parents’ rights and interdisciplinary practice focusing on law and social work collaboration.
Marcía Hopkins, MSW, has devoted her career as a social worker to supporting child and youth clients. In her over her 13 years of experience, she has worked in gun violence prevention, grief counseling, with seniors, and children and youth clients impacted by community violence and in the foster care, and juvenile justice systems and those who are victims of labor and commercial sex trafficking. Throughout her career, Marcía has worked alongside stakeholders and youth leaders to engage in national efforts around youth justice and child welfare reform.
