LAW456
Professionalism and Ethics
(Allen)
Prerequisite courses:
Prerequisite for:
Instructor(s): Joshua Allen
Course credit: 3
Method of presentation: Lecture
Teamwork: Yes
METHOD OF EVALUATION
1. Participation 20%
2. Assignment #1 10%
3. Assignment #2 15%
4. Assignment #3 15%
5. Written Brief 20%
6. Verbal Argument 20%
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course is an examination of the organization of the legal profession in Canada with a focus on Alberta. We will explore the professional conduct of lawyers as determined by law, ethical codes of conduct, service to the public interest as well as customary behavior.
This course has an emphasis on ethical issues in practice including communication with other parties, 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.
The instructor is in private practice and so the course will lean more towards issues in private practice, but there will also be some material touching on public practice. The course will include guest speakers on selected topics.
Lectures will often include a reading with discussion.
Rather than a few large assignments or exams, the course will include smaller in class assignments during the term with the term ending with teams debating various regulatory issues relating to the profession.
SPECIAL COMMENTS
There is no required or recommended textbook. Description updated 2025-26. Please contact the instructor for any specific questions you may have related to this particular course section.
REQUIRED TEXTS (IF ANY)
There is no required textbook, but the course will make heavy use of the Law Society of Alberta Rules, Code of Conduct and the Legal Professions act.
Additional materials where are specifically relevant will be provided either in advance of class or electronically during class.