PAR-2610 Legal Ethics

Credits 3
A study of ethical considerations that apply to both lawyers and paralegals when dealing with clients, the courts, and other parties to legal disputes and litigation. Provisions of the Model Rules of Professional Conduct for attorneys, as promulgated by the American Bar Association and the Court of Appeals of Maryland, and parallel provisions of the Codes of Ethics and Professional Responsibility developed by nationally recognized professional paralegal organizations will be examined and applied to resolve common ethical dilemmas.
Prerequisite(s): Reading Readiness.
Course Outcomes

Discuss the basic rules of ethics, professionalism and confidentiality in the legal environment.
Evaluate the unauthorized practice of law and the consequences of unethical behavior.
Analyze ethical rules regulating advertising, client solicitation and competency by lawyers and paralegals.
Analyze the Model Rules of Professional Conduct promulgated by the American Bar Association (ABA), and the Codes of Ethics and Professional Responsibility promulgated by the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA) and the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA).