LAW456
Professionalism and Ethics
(Stam)
Prerequisite courses:
Prerequisite for:
Instructor(s): David Stam
Course credit: 3
Method of presentation: Seminar
Teamwork:
METHOD OF EVALUATION
TBD, does not include an exam.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Description from another section of LAW456; Mr. Stam's description will be updated when available.
The main objectives of this course are to explore and discuss the practice of law in Canada, and the ethical obligations and responsibilities of lawyers both to the profession and to the public.
A central component of this course will focus on students’ introduction and exposure to the practice of mindfulness and how “mindful lawyering” or “contemplative lawyering” reflects an aspirational dimension which has and can serve as an important tool in a lawyer’s discharge of her ethical obligations to herself, other lawyers, the Court, and the public. Students will be introduced in particular to a diverse range of scholarly writings on the topic of mindfulness in law and its practical application to navigating both the law school experience and the practice of law. One such mindfulness modality that will be explored in this course is mindfulness meditation.
Throughout the term, students will hear from practising members of the Bar who will share some of the ethical dilemmas they have faced in the practice of law, and how they successfully navigated these dilemmas.
Finally, students will examine substantive ethical issues that members of the profession often face in legal practice, including: identifying and resolving potential and actual conflicts of interest, identifying and resolving issues relating to the duty of confidentiality; and, the duties owed by lawyers to other lawyers, clients, the Court and the public.
SPECIAL COMMENTS
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)
1. Alice Woolley, et al, Lawyers Ethics and Professional Regulation, 4th ed. (Toronto: LexisNexis, 2021)
2. Alberta Code of Professional Conduct, Law Society of Alberta- current version available online
3. Selected cases and readings.