This class treads the line between professional responsibility and civil procedure. It is designed for students who intend to become civil litigators. Students who expect to practice in other fields will be better served by a different professional responsibility course.
The topics covered vary from year to year and have recently included lawyers' responsibilities in litigating and settling aggregate lawsuits, fee awards in class actions, principal/agent problems, and insurance defense ethics.
The reading load for this class can be fairly heavy. I also assign many of my own writings, along with works by my critics (I have many). Everyone is expected to come to class prepared to discuss the readings, i.e., to ask questions and make comments on them. Anyone who misses more than 2 class sessions will be dropped from the course.
Grades will be based on a final exam and a research paper of 10-15 pages in length.
This course satisfies the professional responsibility curriculum requirement for graduation from the Law School.
Silver, Charles M.