Richard Barinbaum

Richard Barinbaum serves as a Lecturer at the University of Michigan School of Social Work while co-teaching in the Child Advocacy Law Clinic and Human Trafficking Lab at the Law School. His work integrates social work with legal advocacy for families navigating child welfare systems, emphasizing resilience and interdisciplinary team building across residential treatment, preventive services, and immigrant legal contexts.

Education:

• 2007: MSW in Children, Youth & Families from Hunter College, New York
• 2001: BA in Psychology/Political Science from Arizona State University

Research Focus: His scholarship bridges social work and legal practice, particularly in immigrant services integration and motivational interviewing for high-stress client scenarios. Current teaching emphasizes culturally responsive assessment frameworks and macro-level interventions for child and family well-being, with courses consistently addressing systemic oppression and social justice in clinical practice.

Clinical Affiliations: He provides cross-clinic consulting at the Law School while maintaining active roles in the Child Advocacy Law Clinic and Human Trafficking Lab, leveraging 11 years of prior experience advocating for parents/youth at New York's Center for Family Representation through holistic legal-social work models.