LAW456 Professional Responsibility

An examination of the organization of the legal profession in Canada and the professional conduct of lawyers as determined by law, ethical codes of conduct and service to the public interest. Specifically, the course will address civility in communication and conduct, common ethical issues in practice, the fiduciary nature of the lawyer’s work, conflicts of interest, confidentiality, lawyer professionalism, and the lawyer’s role in the administration of justice including access to the legal system. This will include learning about racism, sexism and bias in the Canadian justice system and the legal profession through topics such as individual and systemic biases, cultural difference, contemporary cases and regulatory approaches.