Course Description
This course will focus on the philosophical and practical issues, guidelines, and problems in legal ethics. Students will develop a basic understanding of the professional codes of conduct and the laws governing the ethical behavior of legal professionals. Specific areas to be covered will include: unauthorized practice of law, conflicts of interest, confidentiality and privilege, proper handling of client funds, referral fees and fee splitting arrangements, retainer agreements and billing, attorney/firm advertising rules, disciplinary procedures, and malpractice. (3 credits)
Prerequisites
- ENG 101: English Composition 1
- ENG 102: English Composition 2
Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)
At the end of the course, students should be able to:
- Understand where regulatory authority lies as to Lawyers and Paralegals
- Have mastered the sanctions and remedies which are available for misconduct
- Be able to explain economic and political factors which affected definitions of the practice of Law
- Comprehend the difference between the ethical precept and the evidentiary rules applicable to confidentiality
- Have the ability to clearly illustrate analytical reasoning in discussing complex situations which have conflicts of interest
- Be able to at least summarize the limits on marketing legal services as set forth in the seminal Bates case in Chapter 6 of the Textbook
- Understand financial aspects of Legal practice, to include, Billing, Setting Fees, Accounting for client funds, segregation of funds. Have detailed knowledge of the Missouri v. Jenkins case (the only major U.S. Supreme Court case involving Paralegals)
- Demonstrate knowledge of the elements which contribute to legal competence for Paralegals
- End the course with the discovery of interesting and challenging current issues arising in the rapidly evolving work of the Paralegal.
Course Activities and Grading
| Assignments | Weight |
|---|---|
Discussions (Weeks 1-7) | 35% |
Assignments (Weeks 1-3 & 5-7) | 30% |
Midterm Exam (Week 4) | 10% |
Final Exam (Week 8) | 25% |
Total | 100% |
Required Textbooks
Available through Charter Oak State College's Book Bundle
- Cannon, Therese. Ethics and Professional Responsibility for Paralegals. 9th ed. New York: Aspen Law Publishers, 2024.
Course Schedule
| Week | SLOs | Readings and Exercises | Assignments |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1, 2 | Topic: Regulation of Lawyers and Paralegals
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2 | 3 | Topic: Unauthorized Practice of Law
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3 | 4, 5 | Topic: Confidentiality and Conflicts of Interest
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4 | 1-6 | Topic: Advertising and Solicitation / Midterm Exam
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5 | 7 | Topic: Fees and Client Funds
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6 | 8 | Topic: Competence
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7 | 9 | Topic: Professionalism
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| 8 | Final Exam | ||
COSC Accessibility Statement
Charter Oak State College encourages students with disabilities, including non-visible disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning disabilities, head injury, attention deficit/hyperactive disorder, or psychiatric disabilities, to discuss appropriate accommodations with the Office of Accessibility Services at OAS@charteroak.edu.
COSC Policies, Course Policies, Academic Support Services and Resources
Students are responsible for knowing all Charter Oak State College (COSC) institutional policies, course-specific policies, procedures, and available academic support services and resources. Please see COSC Policies for COSC institutional policies, and see also specific policies related to this course. See COSC Resources for information regarding available academic support services and resources.