456 Professionalism and Ethics (Hilborn)

LAW456

Professionalism and Ethics

(Hilborn)

Prerequisite courses: 

Prerequisite for:

Instructor(s): Rick Hilborn

Course credit: 3

Method of presentation: Seminar

METHOD OF EVALUATION

The primary method of evaluation will be two written papers worth 20% and 50%, respectively, of your final grade. The 20% paper will be 5-8 pages in length, double spaced, and 12 point font with 1 inch margins (excluding bibliography).  The 50% paper will be 12-15 pages in length, double spaced, and 12 point font with 1 inch margins (excluding cover page, if any, appendices, and bibliography).  Some topic suggestions will be provided but students, with prior approval, may also chose their own topic.  The papers shall deal with two different topics. Printed copies of your papers, single-sided, are required, unless unable to attend class on the due date, in which case emailing a digital copy is acceptable.

The 20% paper shall be due on the date specified in the Class Schedule. The 20% paper will be a “fail safe” assignment such that the assigned mark will only be taken into account if it is higher than your mark on the 50% paper.  Otherwise, the 50% paper, your higher mark, will represent 70% of your mark.  The 50% paper shall be due on the final day of classes.

The 20% paper is intended to give you a “practice run” so that you have feedback regarding what is expected.  This is hoped to be of assistance to you in preparing your 50% paper which is half of your final mark.  However, you may opt to skip the mid term paper and “put it all on the line” on your final paper which then will be worth 70%.  To be fair to your fellow students who prepared two papers, your 70% paper is required to be 20-23 pages in length.

In addition, students will be graded on their class participation, based on a student seminar presentation (20%) and as general participants (10%) based on attendance and discussion leadership.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course will explore the ethical obligations and responsibilities of lawyers. Students will be expected to think critically about contemporary and historical ethical questions faced by members of the legal profession and how their own values and attitudes will shape their future careers. Spirited debate in a non-judgmental context will be encouraged.

By the end of this class students should be able to identify the ethical obligations and responsibilities arising in a particular fact scenario and explain how they, as a lawyer, might manage a similar situation including identifying appropriate resources for assistance

SPECIAL COMMENTS

Description updated 2023-24. Please contact the instructor for any specific questions you may have related to this particular course section.

REQUIRED TEXTS (IF ANY)

1.     Alice Woolley, et al, Lawyers Ethics and Professional Regulation, 2nd ed. (Toronto: LexisNexis, 2012)

2.     Alberta Code of Professional Conduct, Law Society of Alberta- current version available online