Law Schedule of Classes

NOTE: Course offerings change. Classes offered this semester may not be offered in future semesters.



210.1S sec. 002 - Legal Ethics in the Practice of Law (Summer 2024)

Instructor: Bruce A Budner  (view instructor's teaching evaluations - degree students only | profile)
View all teaching evaluations for this course - degree students only

Units: 3
Grading Designation: Graded
Mode of Instruction: In-Person

Meeting:

MTuWThF 09:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Location: Law 145
From June 25, 2024
To July 12, 2024

Session: Session 2
Class Number: Click to show Class Number

Enrollment info:
Enrolled: 8
Waitlisted: 0
Enroll Limit: 35
As of: 08/01 07:33 AM


This course is a practical exploration of the varied and often competing duties and influences that guide lawyers’ conduct.

These duties derive largely from written rules and case law. The ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct, which have been adopted in one form or another by every state, will be our particular focus. The MPRE exam is based on these rules. We will also consider the major differences between the ABA Model Rules and California’s version of them.

But we will drill much more deeply than a mere study of rules and cases. This course will challenge you to understand the limitations of the rules and to reflect on how you would (or do) conduct yourselves when facing a variety of ethical dilemmas.

We will explore a range of ethical problems faced by practicing lawyers. We will consider litigation and transactional matters, civil and criminal cases, and the particular concerns of prosecutors and other government lawyers. We will assess the kinds of ethical and moral decisions lawyers must make and the many consequences of those decisions.

Classes will contain lectures but will primarily feature an extended conversation among the whole class about a series of current ethical cases and hypothetical problems. The hypos are designed to mirror genuine practice situations that also could be on the bar exam.

The problems largely defy the idea of a “correct” answer. We will focus on those difficult cases that fall in the interstices of the rules, a place where common sense and a moral compass offer necessary guidance. They are intended to draw out varying points of view. You are encouraged to offer your own experiences and values as well as your country’s different approaches to the discussions.

Requirements Satisfaction:


This class satisfies the Professional Responsibility Requirement.


View teaching evaluations for this class - degree students only

Exam Notes: (TH) Take-home examination
(Subject to change by faculty member only through the first two weeks of instruction)
Course Category: Bar Courses

If you are the instructor or their FSU, you may add a file like a syllabus or a first assignment to this page.

Readers:
No reader.

Books:
Required Books are in blue

  • Model Rules of Professional Conduct and Other Selected Standards, 2024 Edition
    Thomas Morgan
    Publisher: Foundation Press
    ISBN: 9798887860497
    e-Book Available: Yes
    e-Book procurement note: https://faculty.westacademic.com/Book/Detail/353585
    Price: $65.00
    Note: prices are sampled from internet bookstores. Law-school Bookstore prices are unavailable at this time.

Go to Course Search