LGS 210 - Legal Ethics

3 credit hours - Three hours weekly; one term.
Analyze ethical considerations in the legal field. Explore the history of the legal profession, regulation of lawyers, professional discipline, lawyer-client relationship, lawyer competence, confidentiality, conflicts of interest and the adversary system. Understand the practical aspects of the paralegal’s role in the ethical practice of law and what constitutes the unauthorized practice of law. Lab fee $10.

Prerequisite(s): Grade of C or better in LGS 111 .

Note: Typically offered at MC, AM, and OL; fall, spring, and summer terms.

Course Outcomes:

Identify and describe the regulatory structure governing lawyers.
Research, analyze and cite ethical guidelines and regulations that govern attorneys and paralegals, including the Maryland Rules of Professional Conduct.
Describe the unauthorized practice of law; identify and analyze dilemmas presented to paralegals.
Describe the nature and scope of a legal professional’s duty of confidentiality.
Identify potential conflicts of interest situations.
Apply ethical guidelines involving advertising and solicitation.
Describe and apply ethical rules governing fees and client funds.
Describe the ethical duty of competence as it relates to attorneys and paralegals.