Ethics for Paralegals attempts to animate the study of Ethics. It is critical for the paralegal student to understand
the parameters of their not only their job, but also the ethical rules that define the proper practice of law.
It is only after understanding legal ethics that the paralegal understands why they do things a certain way in
the law office. Files are kept in a certain manner to maintain client confidentiality, retainers are collected
in a certain way to comply with the rules relating to fees, and even a paralegal�s business card has ethical implications
regarding the �unauthorized practice of law�. This text attempts to put these ethical rules into perspective. Attorneys
and paralegals deal with these rules everyday, so everyday examples and hypotheticals are used for in-class discussion.
Table of Contents
PART ONE: THE PRACTICE OF LAW Chapter One - Oversight: Regulation and Licensing of the Legal Profession Chapter Two - The Unauthorized Practice of Law PART TWO Chapter Three - The Attorney-Client Relationship: Maintaining Competency, Diligence, and Communications Chapter Four - Confidentiality Chapter Five - Conflicts of Interest Chapter Six - Fees and Client Property Chapter Seven - Special Clients and Situations PART THREE Chapter Eight - Advocacy and Litigation Issues Chapter Nine - Law Firms: Understanding the Structure and Management of the Practice Chapter Ten - Advertising and the Solicitation of Clients Chapter Eleven - Maintaining the Integrity of the Profession Appendix A: Links to Ethical Codes for Paralegals and Attorneys Appendix B: How to Prepare the Case Brief Appendix C: NALA Model Standards and Guidelines for Utilization of Legal Assistants Appendix D: NFPA Model Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility and Guidelines for Enforcement Glossary Index