Today we’re finishing our examination of the 5 courses that make up The Whole Lawyer program.

Feedback has been incredible. Engagement is off the charts. Energy is high.

With that in mind »»> let’s all take a moment to reflect on what comes next and, maybe, make some commitments.

Committing to elevate the dialogue 🗣️

Committing to sharing what you’ve learned with others 👩‍🏫

Committing to challenging the “good enough” approaches that forced us to break the mold ⛓️‍💥

Committing to do better, because it’s what’s best for the future of the profession

Legal Professionalism:

Ethics, Efficiency, and Excellence.

- course #5 of The Whole Lawyer Program -

Course Description:

This course is designed to prepare law students and newly-minted lawyers for the professional responsibilities they will face in their careers.

It focuses on developing skills related to ethical practice, workload management, professional conduct, and maintaining a work-life balance. Through interactive lessons, case studies, and practical exercises, learners will gain the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate the demands of the legal profession while upholding the highest standards of professional ethics.

This is the final course in The Whole Lawyer program!

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this course, learners will be able to:

1. Understand and apply ethical principles in legal practice.

2. Develop strategies for effective workload management and productivity.

3. Exhibit professional conduct in various legal contexts.

4. Maintain a healthy work-life balance to prevent burnout.

5. Utilize tools and techniques for continuous professional development.

Syllabus:

Chapter 1: Understanding Legal Ethics

• Lesson 1.1: Introduction to Legal Ethics

  • Objective: Understand the fundamental principles and importance of ethics in the legal profession.

• Lesson 1.2: Common Ethical Dilemmas

  • Objective: Identify and analyze common ethical dilemmas lawyers face and explore appropriate responses.

• Lesson 1.3: Ethical Decision-Making Frameworks

  • Objective: Learn frameworks and strategies for making ethical decisions in complex situations.

Chapter 2: Workload Management and Productivity

• Lesson 2.1: Time Management

  • Objective: Develop effective time management strategies to maximize productivity.

• Lesson 2.2: Prioritizing Tasks and Managing Deadlines

  • Objective: Learn to prioritize tasks and manage deadlines efficiently.

• Lesson 2.3: Utilizing Technology for Productivity

  • Objective: Explore tools and technologies that can help streamline legal work and improve efficiency.

Chapter 3: Professional Conduct and Client Relations

• Lesson 3.1: Building Professional Relationships

  • Objective: Understand the importance of building and maintaining professional relationships in legal practice.

• Lesson 3.2: Communication and Professionalism

  • Objective: Learn effective communication techniques and professional etiquette in various legal settings.

• Lesson 3.3: Handling Difficult Situations with Clients and Colleagues

  • Objective: Develop strategies for managing difficult interactions with clients and colleagues professionally.

Chapter 4: Maintaining Work-Life Balance

• Lesson 4.1: Recognizing and Preventing Burnout

  • Objective: Identify signs of burnout and develop strategies to prevent it.

• Lesson 4.2: Stress Management Techniques

  • Objective: Learn techniques for managing stress effectively in a high-pressure environment.

• Lesson 4.3: Creating a Work-Life Balance Plan

  • Objective: Develop a personalized plan to maintain a healthy balance between work and personal life.

Chapter 5: Continuous Professional Development

• Lesson 5.1: Setting Professional Development Goals

  • Objective: Learn to set and pursue professional development goals for career growth.

• Lesson 5.2: Networking and Mentorship

  • Objective: Understand the value of networking and mentorship and how to cultivate these relationships.

• Lesson 5.3: Lifelong Learning and Skill Enhancement

  • Objective: Explore opportunities for lifelong learning and continuous skill enhancement in the legal field.

Rubrics, Assessments and Feedback:

Rubrics for this course should create clear, measurable criteria that align with the course's learning objectives and foundations. This will ensure that assessments (chapter quizzes and final exams) are transparent, consistent, and objective, providing learners with valuable feedback on their progress.

Here is a sample rubric for Chapter 2: Workload Management and Productivity

Assignment: Create a task prioritization plan for managing multiple deadlines and responsibilities in a legal setting, demonstrating the ability to differentiate between urgent, important, and routine tasks.

For more on using rubrics to help assess and promote a learner’s proficiency, click here

Syllabus Development and How to Use

Consistent with the Train Better Lawyers ethos, this syllabus was developed through extensive research. I.e., we take this stuff seriously.

This includes:

• review of the findings of IAALS’ Foundations for Practice project, including the Instructional Design Guide and the Hiring Guide,

• interviews and conversations with educators that are engaged in designing and delivering experiential learning programs to lawyers and law students,

• review of recent surveys of lawyers regarding professional development activities and initiatives,

• review of media (articles, blogs, podcasts) that discuss what skills are needed in today’s legal practice, and

• personal experience with the design and development of 14 online courses focused on teaching the skills, capabilities and mindsets that are needed in the modern legal function.

Regardless of this background, this syllabus is provided as an illustrative example of how such a course might be structured and should not be interpreted as a definitive course design for this topic.

The content, including the outlined modules, learning objectives, lessons, and assessment strategies, represents one possible approach to fostering the skills and mindsets associated with the requirements of the modern legal profession.

Professional instructors and curriculum designers are encouraged to adapt, modify, or reimagine this syllabus to better align with their unique educational contexts and objectives.

Further, the methodologies, strategies, and assessment rubrics are suggestive and should be tailored to reflect the specific learning outcomes desired for the course. Instructors are urged to consider the diversity of learning styles and the importance of inclusive teaching practices in the development and delivery of their courses.

Those using this syllabus as a guide for course development should do so with the understanding that adaptation and innovation are key to creating an engaging and effective learning environment. Good luck!