This survey course on lawyers' professional responsibilities is centered on two premises: (1) The practice of law is a business as well as a profession, and economic incentives therefore matter; and (2) more than 90 percent of all lawsuits settle. Thus, we will give special attention to the economic aspects of the attorney-client relationship and the various incentives that existing ethical Rules provide both lawyers and clients. We will also pay particular attention to a wide range of ethical issues surrounding the settlement process.
The course will cover approximately 85% of the material that is typically tested on the MPRE. In previous years, students all reported feeling well prepared for, and doing well on, the MPRE. The "short course" format, with our final class meeting scheduled for October 14, means that the course will be completed prior to the early November MPRE testing date.
This course fulfills the Professional Responsibility requirement for graduation.
The exam format will be an in-class, 3-hour, exam consisting of 2-hours of objective questions (multiple choice and true-false) and a one-hour, word-limited essay question. The exam will be closed note, closed internet, but open "rules book."
Baker, Lynn A