Health Law

Each year, a number of HPM graduates opt for a career in health care law. In recent years, graduates have been admitted to some of the region’s leading law schools. Attorneys may practice health law either through direct litigation (e.g., representing consumers in suits against providers, insurers, and drug manufacturers) or in corporate settings (e.g., handling mergers, acquisitions, and antitrust issues facing health providers). Students who earn a law degree may also find themselves working as legislative liaisons for providers and insurers that are subject to state or federal regulation; lawyers frequently lobby for changes in regulations or statutes that affect the organization and delivery of health care services. HPM graduates who enter the legal profession may also work for state and federal government agencies, writing rules and regulations governing the health care industry.

To practice law in the United States, students must graduate from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association and pass a bar exam. To be admitted to a Juris Doctor (JD) program, students must first take the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT). Students planning to apply to law school should meet with their faculty advisor during the junior year to identify potential law schools in their areas of interest; it is strongly recommended that students also take a practice LSAT or a preparation course, as grade point average and LSAT scores are two critical factors used by law schools in their initial screening of applicants. In addition to taking the program’s required course in health law, students may also wish to take electives in the political science department (e.g., civil liberties and constitutional law) and business law courses in the management department.

HPM graduates in recent years have attended law school at Boston University, Northeastern University, Quinnipiac, Suffolk University, and Syracuse University.