Ethical Problems in the Practice of Law

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This problem-based book reflects the authors’ broad range of teaching, clinical, and policy-making experience. The book’s carefully crafted ethical problems challenge students to engage in a deep analysis and participate in lively class discussion.

Features include:

• Real-world problems, most based on actual cases, in which students are asked to step into the shoes of practicing lawyers to confront difficult ethical dilemmas that often arise in practice.
• The law governing lawyers explained in an accessible question-and-answer format.
• A succinct explanation of relevant Model Rules and other law governing lawyers, including examples from disciplinary and malpractice cases.
• An opportunity for students, through specific examples, to reflect on their own conception of their professional roles on behalf of clients and their obligations to the legal system as a whole.
• Lively presentation of materials, including cartoons, tables, and photos.
• Clear and concise presentation through text and charts that summarize relevant law.

Unsolicited comments from adopters of Ethical Problems in the Practice of Law:

• Professor Cynthia Batt, Stetson University College of Law, wrote that this book “has the BEST teacher’s manual of any text ever.”
• Professor Jamie P. Werbel, Seton Hall University School of Law wrote: I wanted to drop you a line and let you know how fabulous your textbook is! I just started teaching Professional Responsibility this year, and your book has been invaluable to me as I guide my students through the course. My husband, also an attorney, made fun of me last semester as a few times I was reading it at night in bed! It really is just that enjoyable to read.

New to the 6th Edition:

• A comprehensive revision of the entire text, adding material to continue to provide students with a wealth of opportunities to grapple with ethical issues.
• Inclusion of recent developments in the field, including:
  • Discussion of the amendments to Model Rule 1.8 regarding gifts to clients:
  • The new ABA ethics opinion on what constitutes material adversity under Rule 1.9;
  • Developments in some states on permitting non-lawyers to provide some legal services;
  • Changes in some states’ rules on non-lawyer ownership of firms;
  • Expanded coverage of ethical issues arising from use of the Internet and social media, such as an ABA opinion on how lawyers may respond to online critiques of their services.
• Material on recent events that have raised important issues of professional responsibility, especially discipline and sanctions for lawyers who made unfounded claims about the 2020 presidential election.
• Updated empirical information about the practice of law, including the continuing concerns about diversity within the profession.

Benefits for Students:

• Problem-based approach, often based on real-life cases, offers students a practical way to test their understanding
• Graphics (cartoons, tables, photos) throughout, which make the presentation lively and engaging
• Shocking examples of recent lawyer misconduct maintain student interest
• A readable and enjoyable law school textbook