Ethical Challenges in Legal Practice

This experiential course provides an overview of the legal profession, including the business, culture, and ethics of lawyering in different practice contexts--such as insurance defense, corporate representation, individual representation, and criminal prosecution. Through simulations and case studies, students will explore ethical issues as they arise in different fields of law, in various practice settings, while representing diverse clients. This course will demonstrate how general rules of professional responsibility are interpreted and applied differently across fields. This contextual understanding is particularly valuable as lawyers frequently change practice areas or collaborate with colleagues in other specialties throughout their careers. It offers students a unique opportunity to develop practical ethical judgment through active participation in realistic scenarios. A central theme is the tension between the lawyer's role as an independent professional and the economic, social, and political realities of practice. Students will participate in one short simulation (which will be videorecorded), present their simulation to the class, write analytical memos on ethical rules and professional themes, and engage in structured class discussions. This course satisfies the ABA experiential learning requirement, Standard 303(a)(3).