Ethical Problems in the Practice of Law (Aspen Casebook)

Book Synopsis: 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.
• A 400-page Teacher's Manual with sample syllabi, advice on how to structure the course, and detailed discussion guides for all problems and questions in the text. The manual explains possible student responses to each problem, and includes follow-up questions and answers that allow even novice teachers to master the material. Instructors can adapt the materials in the manual to become their class notes.
• 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 instructors and students:

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.

Professors:

• Problem method engages students and generates class discussion, because most problems present head-scratching dilemmas that students must puzzle through together.
• Clear expositions of the law allow professors to devote the majority of class time to interactive discussion of the problems.
• Transformation of a course from an often boring upper-class requirement to a learning environment that is educationally rich, engaging, and fun.

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