Silicon Valley Business School

Contents of SVBS Course: Ethics & Regulation of Lawyers

The practice of law is highly regulated in the U.S. and this module presents the core rules governing attorneys. Topics include licensing, confidentiality, discipline for misconduct, conflicts of interest, the attorney work product, client referrals, fee sharing, the special roles and duties of lawyers.

Learning Objectives and Outcomes

Upon completion of this course you will be able to:

Recognize the duties and responsibilities of lawyers under rules adopted by the American Bar Association and the state of California.
Understand how lawyers are required to agree fees and enter engagements with clients, maintain client confidentiality, avoid conflicts of interests, represent clients in court and how lawyers can advertise and promote their services.


Course Sections

The course is organized into the following sections:

Legal Ethics: American Bar Association
Legal Ethics: Conflicts of Interests
Legal Ethics: Confidentiality
Legal Ethics: Promoting Legal Services
Legal Ethics: Client Engagements
Legal Ethics: Fees & Client Funds
Legal Ethics: Courts & Trials
Legal Ethics: Judges & Other Special Roles & Responsibilities
Legal Ethics: California-Specific Rules
Legal Ethics: Introduction

Legal Ethics: Introduction
  • Video ~ Responsibility of Lawyers--Introduction

    • This voice narrated slideshow provides an introduction to the regulation of lawyers and the legal profession in the U.S.
  • Handout ~ Responsibility of Lawyers--Introduction

    • PDF slides for the learning material titled: "Video ~ Responsibility of Lawyers--Introduction".
    Legal Ethics: American Bar Association
  • Video ~ Responsibility of Lawyers--American Bar Association

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  • Handout ~ Responsibility of Lawyers--American Bar Association

    • PDF slides for the learning material titled: "Video ~ Responsibility of Lawyers--American Bar Association".
  • Reference ~ ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct

    • Skim through this table of contents to acquaint yourself with the various model rules from the American Bar Association.
  • Reading ~ ABA Rule 5.5: Unauthorized Practice of Law; Multijurisdictional Practice of Law

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  • Reading ~ ABA Rule 8.3: Reporting Professional Misconduct

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    Legal Ethics: Conflicts of Interests
  • Video ~ Responsibility of Lawyers--Conflicts of Interests

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  • Handout ~ Conflicts of Interests

    • PDF slides for the learning material titled: "Video ~ Responsibility of Lawyers--Conflicts of Interests".
  • Reading ~ ABA Rule 1.7: Conflict of Interest: Current Clients

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  • Reading ~ ABA Rule 1.8: Current Clients: Specific Rules

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    Legal Ethics: Confidentiality
  • Video ~ Confidentiality

    • This voice narrated slideshow looks at the American Bar Association rules regarding the Attorney-Client Privilege and the ethical duty of Confidentiality.
  • Handout ~ Confidentiality

    • PDF slides for the learning material titled: "Video ~ Confidentiality".
  • Reading ~ ABA Rule 1.6: Confidentiality of Information

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    Legal Ethics: Promoting Legal Services
  • Video ~ Promoting Legal Services

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  • Handout ~ Promoting Legal Services

    • PDF slides for the learning material titled: "Video ~ Promoting Legal Services".
  • Reading ~ ABA Rule 7.1: Communication Concerning a Lawyer's Services

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  • Reading ~ ABA Rule 7.2: Advertising

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  • Reading ~ ABA Rule 7.3: Direct Contact with Prospective Clients

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  • Reading ~ ABA Rule 7.5: Firm Names & Letterhead

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    Legal Ethics: Client Engagements
  • Video ~ Client Engagements

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  • Handout ~ Client Engagements

    • PDF slides for the learning material titled: "Video ~ Client Engagements".
    Legal Ethics: Fees & Client Funds
  • Video ~ Fees & Client Funds

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  • Handout ~ Fees & Client Funds

    • PDF slides for the learning material titled: "Video ~ Fees & Client Funds".
  • Reading ~ ABA Rule 1.5: Fees

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    Legal Ethics: Courts & Trials
  • Video ~ Courts & Trials

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  • Handout ~ Courts & Trials

    • PDF slides for the learning material titled: "Video ~ Courts & Trials".
  • Reading ~ ABA Rule 3.1: Meritorious Claims & Contentions

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  • Reading ~ ABA Rule 3.2: Expediting Litigation

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  • Reading ~ ABA Rule 3.3: Candor Toward the Tribunal

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  • Reading ~ ABA Rule 3.4: Fairness to Opposing Party & Counsel

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  • Reading ~ ABA Rule 3.5: Impartiality & Decorum of the Tribunal

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  • Reading ~ ABA Rule 3.6: Trial Publicity

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  • Reading ~ ABA Rule 3.7: Lawyer as Witness

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  • Reading ~ ABA Rule 3.8: Special Responsibilities of a Prosecutor

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    Legal Ethics: Judges & Other Special Roles & Responsibilities
  • Video ~ Special Roles & Responsibilities

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  • Handout ~ Special Roles & Responsibilities

    • PDF slides for the learning material titled: "Video ~ Special Roles & Responsibilities".
  • Reference ~ Model Code of Judicial Conduct

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    Legal Ethics: California-Specific Rules
  • Video ~ California-Specific Rules

    • This voice narrated slideshow provides information regarding the regulation of lawyers and the legal profession in the State of California.
  • Handout ~ California-Specific Rules

    • PDF slides for the learning material titled: "Video ~ California-Specific Rules".
  • Reference ~ State Bar of California Rules of Professional Conduct

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    Certificate Course
    This certificate tracks your progress and tests you in each section. Once you have passed all the quizzes, submitted an assignment and reviewed all the materials, you will be awarded a certificate of completion.