Frederick Community College
LA 103- Paralegal Ethics
Fall,
2007
Instructor
Information:
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Name: J. Mark Phillips, Esq. |
Office: Classroom |
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E-mail: MPhillips@frederick.edu |
Phone Number: (301)
846-2520 |
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Office Hours: Before or After Class |
Campus Mail Box Number: TBA |
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Course
Information:
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Credits: 3 |
Last Day to Drop: Nov 5th |
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Corequisites: LA100 |
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Meeting Day(s): Regular online participation |
Meeting Time:
Online Course |
Course
Description:
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This course explores the foundations the Code of Ethics
that Lawyers and Paralegal Professionals must abide. We will cover the foundation and origin of
ethical rules, as well as their application to real life situations. Each week you will participate in an online group
discussion regarding the assigned readings each week. I will provide a few questions to get the
discussion going, and at the end of the week I will wrap the discussion up
with take away points. (I will also
answer questions and
contribute to the discussion through the week). Your participation in these weekly
discussions will be a central part of your grade. |
Core
Learning Outcomes:
By the completion of the course students will:
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1. Understand
the origin and source of the legal rules of ethics. |
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2. Apply
rules of ethics in various situations. |
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3. Understand
the attorney’s and paralegals responsibilities. |
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4. Identify
and avoid potential ethical dilemmas. |
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5. Understand
how to protect yourself from potential ethical violations (CYOB). |
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Group Discussion |
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Peer Feedback |
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Examination/Review |
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Concise Guide to Paralegal Ethics; Cannon |
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Tests
/ Papers / Projects
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Point
Value
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Final
Grade Scale |
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2 Exams |
100 points each |
A= 450-500 |
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Final Exam |
150 points |
B = 400-449 |
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Participation/Professionalism |
150 points |
C = 350-399 |
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D = 300-349 |
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F = 299 or below |
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Students are expected to participate in all class sessions
and to complete all assignments and exams except in cases of serious illness,
emergency, religious holidays, or mandatory participation in official College
functions. Make-up work will be
allowed for excused absences at the instructor’s discretion. It will be your
responsibility to obtain all notes, handouts and other information if absent.
Emphasis will be on practical studies and additional points will be awarded
for participation. |
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Week |
Date |
Subject |
Content |
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1 |
8/25-8/31 |
Introduction |
Preface, Chapter 1 |
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2 |
9/1-9/7 |
Regulation of Lawyers and Paralegals |
Chapter 1 |
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3 |
9/8-9/14 |
Unauthorized
Practice of Law
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Chapter 2 |
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4 |
9/15-9/21 |
Confidentiality |
Chapter 3 |
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5 |
9/22-9/28 |
Lawyer Regulation, Unauthorized Practice of Law, Confidentiality |
Review of Chapters 1-3, Preparation for Exam |
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6 |
10/1-10/7 |
EXAM 1
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Chapters1-3 |
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7 |
10/8-10/14 |
Conflicts of Interest |
Chapter 4 |
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8 |
10/15-10/21 |
Advertising and Solicitation |
Chapter 5 |
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9 |
10/22-10/28 |
Fees
& Client Funds
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Chapter 6 |
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10 |
10/29-11/5 |
Conflicts, Advertising, & Fees |
Chapters 4-6, Preparation for Exam |
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11 |
11/6- 11/12 |
EXAM 2 |
Chapters 4-6 |
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12 |
11/13- 11/19 |
Competence
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Chapter 7 |
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13 |
11/27- 12/2 |
Special Issues in Advocacy, Professionalism and Special
Issues for Paralegals |
Chapter 8-9 |
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14 |
12/3- 12/9 |
Competence, Advocacy Issues, and Professionalism |
Revisit Chapters 7-9;Review
for final Exam
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15 |
12/10-12/15 |
FINAL
EXAM (to be taken at testing
center)
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Chapters 1-9 |
Please be advised that this Outline is subject to revision
at the discretion of the
Instructor.