Discipline: Legal Assisting (Paralegal Studies) Degree Credit  [X]
Non Credit  [ ]
Nondegree Credit  [ ]
Comm Service  [ ]
 

Riverside Community College District
Integrated Course Outline of Record

Paralegal Studies 14


COURSE DESCRIPTION
14 Legal Ethics Units: 3.00
 
Prerequisite: None.
 
Rules, regulations, and responsibilities guiding the ethical behavior of paralegal professionals focusing on real-life ethical situations. 54 hours lecture.
 
SHORT DESCRIPTION FOR CLASS SCHEDULE
Rules, regulations, and responsibilities guiding the ethical behavior of paralegal professionals focusing on real-life situations.
 
ADVISORY ENTRY SKILLS
None.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
 Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to:

1.   Demonstrate familiarity with ethical issues confronting the
      paralegal’s role in a law-related environment.

2.   Summarize real-life ethical situations taken from paralegal
      magazines and journals.

3.   Review and critique interviews with practicing paralegal.

4.   Apply rules, regulations, and responsibilities guiding the ethical
      behavior of paralegal to relevant issues facing paralegal in
      practice.

5.   Explore ways to avoid or deal with ethical problems.
 
COURSE CONTENT
  TOPICS
 
  1. History of paralegal
  2. Overview of legal ethics
  3. The unauthorized practice of law
  4. The duty of diligence
  5. Confidentiality
  6. Conflicts of interest
  7. Financial matters
  8. Advertising and solicitation
  9. Reporting attorney and paralegal misconduct
  10. Professional conduct in the law office
  11. ABA Model Guidelines For the Utilization of Paralegal Services
  12. ALA Model Standards and Guidelines for Utilization Legal Assistants
  13. NALA Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility

 
 
METHODS OF INSTRUCTION
 Methods of instruction used to achieve student learning outcomes may include, but are not limited to:

  • Lecture
  • Demonstration
  • Discussion
  • Multimedia
  • Case Studies
 
METHODS OF EVALUATION
 Students will be evaluated for progress in and/or mastery of learning outcomes by methods of evaluation which may include, but are not limited to:

  • Essays
  • Problem solving exercises
  • Discussion/mock interviews/project reports
  • Objective-type examinations  
ASSIGNMENTS

Required Reading Assignments


Required Writing Assignments


Other Outside-of-Class Assignments
 
COURSE MATERIALS
 All materials used in this course will be periodically reviewed to ensure that they are appropriate for college level instruction. Possible texts include:

  • LEGAL ETHICS FOR PARALEGAL AND THE LAW OFFICE Morrison and DeCiani, West Publishing Co.
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