LEGAL 214 - Legal Ethics

1. Identify and apply the ethical standards and rules of professional conduct that govern paralegals and other legal professionals in Washington State.
2. Summarize what constitutes the practice of law, and identify methods to avoid engaging in the unauthorized practice of law.
3. Distinguish among, and apply the ethical rules required to protect, client confidentiality, attorney-client privilege, and attorney work product.
4. Analyze and discuss the methods for resolving potential conflicts of interest faced by paralegals and attorneys, including concurrent and successive representation, business transactions with clients, gifts from clients, imputed conflicts, and disqualification.
5. Differentiate between advertising and solicitation, and describe the limitations that exist on attorney advertising and solicitation of clients in Washington State.
6. Explain the different fee arrangements made with clients, what constitutes a reasonable fee, the rules regarding fee-splitting and referral fees, and how client property and client trust accounts must be handled in Washington State.
7. Demonstrate knowledge of the elements that contribute to legal competence for paralegals and attorneys in Washington State, and the disciplinary actions that exist for incompetence.
8. Describe the current issues involving paralegal licensing and certification at the state and national levels, as well as the limited licenses available to paralegals in Washington State.