LEGAL 101 - Legal Ethics and Professionalism

5 Credits

Introduction to the rules of professional responsibility of the state bar together with those of the leading professional paralegal organizations. Focuses on the ethical duties and obligations of paralegals and attorneys to maintain the integrity of the profession and to protect the public interest. This class contains a service learning component called the Community Justice Project, which enables students to enhance learning through service in areas of the legal profession that are working to provide or promote better access to justice. Students will learn about professional development and opportunities in the paralegal profession. Practicing paralegals, employers, members of various paralegal associations, career services and department faculty will assist in the instruction for this class.

Pre-requisite(s) POLS& 200 with min. 2.0
Fees

Quarters Typically Offered
Fall Day, Online
Spring Day, Online

Designed to Serve Students in Legal Studies program.
Active Date 20210311T08:50:57

Grading Basis Decimal Grade
Class Limit 32
Contact Hours: Lecture 55
Total Contact Hours 55
Degree Distributions:
ProfTech Course Yes
Restricted Elective Yes
Course Outline

Rules of Professional Responsibility
Ethical Duties of paralegals
Obligations with respect to Ethics for paralegals
Integrity of the Profession
Protection of the Public
Access to justice issues
Community legal needs
Professional Associations
Job Opportunities
Resumes
Interviews
Networking

Student Learning Outcomes
Correctly analyze and apply the ethical principals in the State and Model Rules of Professional Conduct to law office hypotheticals.

Correctly analyze and describe the paralegal role in ethical rule compliance.

Correctly analyze and describe how paralegals maintain and promote ethical conduct in the legal profession.

Effectively describe how service learning promoted more equitable access to legal services for a community in need.

Formulate and construct a job search plan identifying specific potential employers and a deadline for contact with each

Successfully revise a professional resume consistent with legal industry standards.

Demonstrate effective communication skills in a mock job interview.