Para 121 Ethics Syllabus

Course Description: Ethics for paralegals: fees, client funds, billing, advertising, solicitation, unauthorized practice, deceit, confidentiality, conflict of interest, suppressing evidence, reporting misconduct, and professional practice obligations. 

Textbook:  Ethics: Top Ten Rules For Paralegals, Orlik Edition 2 ISBN 0-13-506393-0. 

Student Learning Outcomes/Course objectives: At the end of this course students will have a understanding of the rules of ethics that govern the legal profession in California.  Students will independently manage their time so as to complete assignments and tasks in a timely manner.  Students will understand and meet deadlines.  Students will be able to independently gather information that is available via the internet.  Students will demonstrate through the online discussions communication and interpersonal skills necessary for the law office environment. Students will demonstrate the ability to keep ethical time and billing logs.

Meet Your Instructor: 

Professor Manzano has been a full time instructor at Santa Ana College for over 25 years.  He is presently the Chair of Legal Studies at Santa Ana College.  Professor Manzano has been an active member of the California State Bar since 1982.  Until his retirement from the practice of law in 2016, his area practice consisted of estate planning and business.  He has represented real estate agents, landowners, business owners as well as individuals.  Professor Manzano practice included transaction as well as business litigation.  His final litigation was a trade secrets case wherein the final judgment was in his client's favor for over $3,000,000. 

Professor Manzano will only answer student's questions related to the class.  Professor Manzano will not represent students nor should any answer to a question be relied upon for legal purposes.  You are advised to seek an attorney if you need an answer to a legal question.

Read the attached syllabus: 

Course Syllabus:  Syllabus Para 121 46524 1-4-18 Manzano.doc

 Standards for Assignments and Discussions

The work you turn in for this class will be held to the same standard as the paralegals who work for me in my law office.  There is a rubric attached to all assignments except quizzes.  Read the rubric so you know how you will be graded.  If you receive less than 100%, review the rubric and or comments attached to the graded item through the grade book.

DISCUSSIONS:

1. Each discussion has a first post due by date.  You are required to post your initial post by that date.  The date in the grade book and syllabus is the date the discussion will close.  You are required to participate the entire discussion period.
2. The discussion is set up so that you have to post prior to seeing other student posts.  This is because students have reviewed other student posts before preparing their summary and answers.  This is plagiarism and will earn a 0.  Canvas gives me a time stamp of your activities.
3. Each discussion has a series of questions based on the reading and your independent research.  You are to include your response to these questions in your initial post.  If you prepare them ahead of time, copy and paste. A file attachment will receive 0 points for the questions and following instructions.  (see the Rubric.)  These questions are used to assess your knowledge instead of a final exam. Answer the questions as if they were the final exam!
4. You are expected to improve your initial response after participating in the discussion.  Be sure to give credit to the source (student or otherwise) for your improved answer.
5. You will assume the role of the office manager.  In the discussion you are required to respond to a minimum of 3 students who you will give constructive criticism.  This means in a positive way explain to them what they need to do to improve their performance.  This is a practical exercise in giving and receiving performance evaluations as if you were working in a law office.  You are to explain to 2 additional students why their posts meet the criteria.  In these posts consider your post a department wide email, where you are using them as an example to encourage lesser mortals.  This means you don't just say great post Rick.  You need to say Rick your post was good because ... then explain.  The student reviews are in addition to your full participation in the discussion.
6. To view the rubric on discussions, click on the discussion setting button.

 VIDEOS:

1. Each module may have 1 or more videos.  Open the video and respond to the short quiz based on the video.

MODULE REVIEW:

Each module review has multiple parts.  Make sure you post a complete review and follow the instructions.

1. The first question requires a 250 word (1/2/) page minimum summary of the subject for the module.  This is the second part of the "final exam", so give a lot of effort to the summary.
2. You need to include the student reviews.  If a student receives a number “needs improvement reviews” I will share the reviews anonymously along with my comments.  Students found having peer comments were helpful. 

MODULE 8: FINAL PROJECTS:

1. All of the assignments in Module 8 are 30% of the final grade.
2. There are a number of discussions that are part of the final assignment category.
3. The due dates on the assignments vary through the module 8 period.
4. Post the required drafts early, that way you will receive student and Professor Manzano input.  Posts at the end of the discussion may not receive any input.
5. The Policy/plan assignment is a culmination of the work in Modules 2-7.  You are required to prepare a policy handbook based on the discussions and assignments.
6. The memo will require citations to California Authority.  The generally means the Business and Professions Code and or The California Rules of Professional Conduct.  Both are heavily referenced on the California State Bar web page (calbar.ca.gov)(Links to an external site.)Links to an external site..  Note The ABA model rules have not been adopted in California.  NALA, OCPA or any other organization is a reference but not a proper authority.  
7. The final bill is a culmination of the time keeping discussion. Your posts in the time and billing log must support your final bill.
8. There is not a module 8 review.

DUE DATES:

 Deadlines: In a law office, you will be responsible for meeting deadlines.  Just like in the legal profession, missing deadlines has consequences.  Manage your time so you can meet deadlines.  Meeting deadlines is a outcome you are graded on for all assignments. 

Discussions have two due dates; the initial postdate and the date the discussion will be closed for comment.  All final due dates for assignments, discussions and quizzes are listed on the syllabus, each assignment in the modules and on the calendar.  

GRADES:

Grades are in the grade book.  There are three categories you can view on the end of the grade page.  All of the assignments in the category "assignments" (Quizzes, reviews etc.) are 20% of the final grade.  Discussions are 50 % and all of module 8 falls into the final project category and is 30% of the grade.  You cannot add up all your points and get the total.  The total is a calculation done by canvas using the formula above.  It tells you, that what % you have of the GRADED assignments and discussions. 90+=A, 80-89 = B, 70-79=C, 60-69 = D, less than 60 = F.

ON GOING SURVEY

This is a voluntary discussion on the format of the class, assignments and the ease of using Canvas.  I will give extra credit at the end of the semester for students who participate in this discussion.

Please posts your opinions, both good and bad about assignments, and the ease of using Canvas.  You input will be greatly appreciated.

In addition, as part of our program ongoing assessment, we send out surveys, require surveys in Para 297 from students.  We would also appreciate any comments, good or bad that you have about the program.  In particular a response to the following:

1. How would you rate the effectiveness of the program?
2. How well do you feel the program is/has prepared you for a job as a paralegal?
3. What suggestions do you have to improve the program?

The dates on Course Summary Below is the last day to submit.  You are expected to turn in assignments and to participate in the discussion the entire discussion period.