LAW5490 · Lawyers: Business and ethics

Overview

This unit considers how lawyers do, can, and should behave in business, for clients and as in-house counsel. Distinct from compulsory ethics units, this unit will examine what it means for lawyers to be increasingly commercial or results-oriented, whether in private practice, in-house, or in government lawyers in their responsibility for, reputational, legal and regulatory risk management. An increasingly demanding skill-set also challenges independence and ethicality. We will consider and explore that skillset, how ethical challenges arise, and what the responses to those can and should be, looking beyond law and philosophy approaches to ethics to examine behavioural, organisational, and economic influences on lawyers. Working with real-life case studies and allowing students to explore their own values as preparation for the world of law and business.

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

The Handbook lists no prerequisite, corequisite or prohibition for this unit.

Learning outcomes

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the key economic, social, and psychological influences on lawyers’ decision-making and practices when working in or for businesses;
2. Engage in critical evaluation of the ethical and commercial implications of those influences with reference to ethical professional norms with Australian Solicitors Conduct Rules applicable in Uniform Law jurisdictions and other relevant standards;
3. Clearly and persuasively communicate robust and practical initial strategies for managing ethical conflict;
4. Explain and evaluate the societal and rule of law dimensions of ethics in business and law.

Workload

Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit typically comprises of a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study applicable to a 6 credit point unit. Learning activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning, and online engagement.

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.