January 30, 2007

PL 200--Criminal Law
In class today, Tuesday 1/30, we had quiz #2. Then we went over the Rokicki case and related free speech concepts. The assignment for Thursday 2/1 is to review the rest of Chapter 2, and to read through p. 62 of the text.

PL 499--Legal Ethics
In class today, Tuesday 1/30, we went over the holdings of the two textbook cases regarding unauthorized practice. I distributed two handouts, a newspaper article about an attorney imposter, and an excerpt from the proposed new ethical rules (I left a copy in my office mailbox). The assignment for Thursday 2/1 is to read Chapter 3. Then look at the scenario on p. 56 and the Ethical Dilemma on p. 60. For each of these two situations, answer the question of how the current Maine Bar Rules would deal with whether the breach of confidentiality was justified under the rules. Cite and quote where appropriate from the Rule. (Typed and graded). In addition, prepare to discuss whether the proposed new rule would affect the outcome of your analysis.

January 25, 2007

PL 200--Criminal Law
In class today, Thursday 1/25, we went over the Metzger and Allam cases. The assignment for Tuesday, Jan. 30 is to review the rest of Chapter 2 of the text.

PL 499--Legal Ethics
In class today, Thursday 1/25, we went over the the concept of unauthorized practice of law, and the Department of Labor regulations regarding practice by non-lawyers before the Unemployment Commission. . The assignment for Tuesday, Jan. 30 is to write out (but not graded) the holding of the two cases in chapter 2 of the text, using the format of : under this law, the operative legal question, under these facts (circumstances).

January 23, 2007

PL 200--Criminal Law
In class today, Tuesday 1/23, we had the first quiz. Then we discussed Maine court organization, citation format, and began our discussion of constitutional limits on laws. We began discussing the Metzger case. The assignment for Thursday 1/25 is to finish reading chapter 2 of the text.

PL 499--Legal Ethics
In class today, Tuesday 1/23, we did legal research into the question of whether paralegals can be successfully sued for malpractice. We also began out discussion about the unauthorized practice of law. The assignment for Thursday 1/25 is to review chapter 2 of the text.

January 18, 2007

PL 200--Criminal Law
In class today, Thursday 01/18, we went over the concepts in Chapter One of the text, and integrated them with the newspaper articles that I had distributed last class. I also distributed one other handout, regarding the Bangor ban on smoking in cars. The assignment for Tuesday, 01/23 is to read pp. 25-41 of the textbook.

Pl 499--Legal Ethics
In class today, Thursday 01/18, we went over the article from the Ethical Lawyer, and some of the concepts from chapter 1 of the text. I distributed 3 handouts, the Maine CPR, a list of useful Web Sites, and Ethical Opinion # 134. The assignment for Tuesday 01/23 is to read Chapter 2 of the text.

January 16, 2007

PL 200 Criminal Law
In class today, Tuesday 01/16, I distributed 2 handouts, the syllabus and a compilation of newspaper articles regarding criminal law. The assignment for Thursday 01/18 is to finish reading the news articles, and to read and prepare to discuss Chapter 1 of the text.

PL 499 Legal Ethics
In class today, Tuesday 01/16, I distributed 4 handouts, the syllabus, an article from the "Ethical Lawyer, and 2 excerpts from the Maine Code of Professional Responsibility. The assignment for Thursday 01/18 is to finish reading the articles and the Ethical Rules, and to read and prepare to discuss Chapter 1 of the text.