LEGS 170Legal Ethics

Catalog

PREREQUISITES: PREREQUISITES/COREQUISITES: LEGS 101 Introduction to Paralegal Studies. COREQUISITES: CATALOG DESCRIPTION: Legal Ethics introduces the essential ethical standards and professional responsibilities that govern attorneys and non-lawyer legal professionals. Students will examine the regulatory framework of the legal profession, focusing on requirements for licensing, attorney supervision, and differentiating authorized paralegal tasks from the unauthorized practice of law (UPL). The central themes include core ethical duties owed to clients, such as maintaining confidentiality, managing conflicts of interest, and ensuring fair fees and competent representation. This foundational knowledge prepares students to analyze and apply the Rules of Professional Conduct concerning integrity, diligence, advertising, and honesty within the judicial system.