A legal counselor of persons with AIDS must be sensitive to issues not only related to life and death but also to class, race, sexism, homophobia and social justice. AIDS-related cases often need expert medical testimony on HIV transmission, therefore, the lawyer must make the best use of medical experts and effective cross examination. The legal issues involved in planning for the individual's personal care as well as asset management and disposition are discussed. A large number of employment discrimination complaints involve people who do not actually have AIDS or ARC but are perceived to have a high risk of developing AIDS. Housing should not be viewed as only an economic issue, but as a major civil rights issue as well. A number of junctures in the criminal justice system where AIDS related issues may arise are pointed out, along with conditions of confinement in prisons and jail. Also discussed are insurance problems, the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA), the right to nursing home care, child custody, and the military policy on AIDS. 283 notes, 1 figure, and 3 appendixes.