WELCOME!WELCOME!Instructor: Cathy Kennedyckennedy@kaplan.eduCell: 763 742 8562

Ice breaker??Ice breaker??

Let’s get to know each Let’s get to know each other.other.

Welcome to KennMartLet’s get to know each other.

This will be a fun icebreaker game.

Think about four items that can you can purchase at the super KennMart that describes yourself.

I’ll go first…I’ll go first…dog bowl, tennis shoes, dog bowl, tennis shoes, computer, car.computer, car.

We’ll take turns. We’ll take turns. List 4 things that describes List 4 things that describes you that you can purchase you that you can purchase from KennMart! from KennMart!

Information for you…Information for you…SeminarsLate PolicyAnnouncementsDiscussion BoardsResourcesAssignmentQuizzesQuestions?

Looking forward…Looking forward…I am looking forward to working

with you all. Please ask questions through e-

mail or Ask the Prof.If you need something urgent,

you may use my cell (9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.) – limited minutes.

See syllabus for contact information.

This week…. This week….

Guidelines and Regulations “On August 27, 1908, at a meeting in Seattle, Washington, the

American Bar Association adopted the Canons of Professional Ethics, the first set of model standards of ethical conduct for lawyers nationwide. The development of rules for the self-regulation of the legal profession has been a critically important aspect of the ABA’s work since then, progressing through the Model Code of Professional Responsibility in 1969 to the current Model Rules of Professional Conduct, initially promulgated in 1983. Nearly every state in the country has substantially embraced the Model Rules in form and substance, and other nations regularly look to the ABA framework as they develop ethical standards for their own lawyers. In August 2008 the ABA marks a century of worldwide leadership in developing standards of professional conduct for the legal profession. “

http://www.abanet.org/cpr/centennial.html

In 1970 a Model Code of Professional Responsibility was adopted by the House of Delegates in 1969 and became effective January 1, 1970.

The basic premise of this Code is that every person have ready access to the independent professional services of a lawyer of integrity and competence. Maintaining the integrity and improving the competence of the bar to meet the highest standards is the ethical responsibility of every lawyer.

ABA Model Code of Professional Responsibility http://www.abanet.org/cpr/mrpc/model_rules.html or http://www.law.cornell.edu/ethics/aba/mcpr/MCPR.HTM

What are requirements to What are requirements to practice law?practice law?

What are requirements to practice law?

4-year degree Graduate from accredited law school Take the bar in certain state and pass Obtain a license

* In 2008, law school graduates in 52 jurisdictions were required to pass the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE), which tests their knowledge of the ABA codes on professional responsibility and judicial conduct. In some States, the MPRE may be taken during law school, usually after completing a course on legal ethics.

Why have ethics rules?Why have ethics rules?State ethics rules occur nationwide.

States impose strict ethical requirements when attorneys deal with the public.

Covers areas such as: competence, diligence, communication, fees, trust accounts, client property, confidentiality and conflict of interest

These are rigorously enforced in each state. Attorneys who do not abide by these rules

an jeopardize their careers, their reputation, and be sanctioned or disbarred.

What does this mean for What does this mean for paralegals?paralegals?Paralegals need to help attorneys maintain these ethics.

Professional ethics guidelines for paralegals

NFPA - http://www.paralegals.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=133

NALA - http://www.nala.org/code.aspx

ABA Model Guidelines for Utilization of Paralegals. - http://www.abanet.org/legalservices/paralegals/downloads/modelguidelines.pdf

Responsibility to become familiar with these ethics rules and

what this means for you and for the attorney.

What can you do?What can you do?Join a local or national paralegal

associationReview NALA and NFPA and ABA

rules and become very familiar with them.

After college continue to attend ethics seminars.

Join an ethics discussion board/chat in a law forum.