Instructor(s): Lisa Radtke Bliss

Note: The add/drop date for this course is Monday, January 5 at 10:00 PM.

Course Location: Please see the "Intensive Course Schedule" under Schedules and Timetables (http://www.law.utoronto.ca/academic-programs/schedules).

Note: Attendance at intensive courses is mandatory for the duration of the course.  

This course introduces students to the evolving field of Medical-Legal Partnerships (MLPs), where legal professionals collaborate with healthcare providers to address health-harming legal needs. Through a combination of foundational readings, real-world case studies, and interactive discussion, students will explore the genesis of the MLP model and its application in advancing health equity and client-centered legal practice.

Students will examine how MLPs address the social determinants of health—such as housing, income, education, and access to care—and how lawyers can work alongside physicians, social workers, and other professionals to advocate for systemic change. Students will engage with various MLP structures, from hospital-based clinics to school and community settings, and analyze the benefits and challenges of interprofessional collaboration.

The course will also cover ethical and practical considerations, including communication across disciplines, role clarity, and structural barriers to partnership. Students will leave with an understanding of how interprofessional approaches can strengthen lawyering skills, develop professional identity, improve client outcomes, and expand the reach and relevance of legal advocacy in complex systems.

This course is ideal for students interested in public interest law, health law, poverty law, or systemic advocacy, and will emphasize experiential insight into working across professions to serve clients holistically 

Evaluation
Students will be evaluated based on a final paper of 2500 to 3000 words (90%), and 10% participation in class discussion. Papers must be delivered to the Records Office by 4:00 p.m. on February 2, 2026.
Academic year
2025 - 2026

At a Glance

Second Term
Credits
1
Hours
12

Enrolment

Maximum
22

20 JD
2 LLM/SJD/MSL/SJD U

Schedule

Monday, January 6, 2026: 9:30 am - 12:00 pm
Tuesday, January 7, 2026: 9:30 am - 12:00 pm
Wednesday, January 8, 2026: 9:30 am - 12:00 pm
Thursday, January 9, 2026: 9:30 am - 12:00 pm
Friday, January 10, 2026: 9:30 am - 11:30 am