Following are the draft syllabi for the STEPPS Program for 2008-2009; Readings and specific assignments are omitted here as these are provided primarily to give a sense of coverage and activities for the course. Naturally, a full detailed syllabus for each trimester will be distributed at the beginning of each term.
STEPPS SYLLABUS
Fall 2008
Week 1
Combined Meeting: Introduction to the STEPPS course and Professional Responsibility; discussion of confidentiality
Law Office Meeting: Introductions, overview of office policies, organization, and case file management; distribution of objective memo assignment
Week 2
Combined Meeting: Introduction to client interviewing skills
Law Office Meeting: Further discussion and exercises re: interviewing skills; review of memo writing; discussion of letter writing skills as follow-up to interview; new client (A) assigned
Week 3
Combined Meeting: Distinction between lawyer as advisor and lawyer as advocate; discussion of fees
Law Office Meeting: evaluation of objective memos; case rounds regarding Client (A)’s including discussion of preparing for interviews
Week 4
Combined Meeting: Discussion of Prevention and Problem Solving; discussion of drafting opinion letters
Law Office Meeting: Continue discussion of client A interviews; case planning for Client A
Week 5
Combined Meeting: Introduction to the skill of Counseling
Law Office Meeting: Feedback on objective memo; discussion of research on Client A matter; introduction to case planning skills and techniques
Week 6
Combined Meeting: Discussion of billing practices at law firms
Law Office Meeting: Critiques of Client A interviews; introduction of Client C cases; discussion of counseling skills
Week 7
Combined Meeting: Discussion of Client C ethical issues and criminal representation; discussion of case situation regarding truth and advocacy
Law Office Meeting: Discussion of relevant legal research skills; case rounds regarding Client C; further discussion of counseling skills
Week 8
Combined Meeting: Further discussion of truth, advocacy, and client lies
Law Office Meeting: Mid Semester student evaluation meetings
Week 9
Combined Meeting: Introduction to negotiation skills
Law Office Meeting: Further discussion of negotiation skills and ethics; negotiation practice; discussion of relationship between counseling and negotiation for Client A
Week 10
Combined Meeting: Discussion of conflicts
Law Office Meeting: Discussion of Client C interviews; case rounds regarding results of Client C research and how to deal with plea bargains
Week 11
Combined Meeting: Exploration of Who is the Client?
Law Office Meeting: General discussion of Client A counseling sessions
Week 12
Combined Meeting: Discussion of conflicts with personal interests
Law Office Meeting: Case rounds on Client A negotiations; peer review of Client A draft letters and agreements
Week 13
Combined Meeting: Discussion of chemical dependency
Law Office Meeting: Further discussion and practice of negotiation
Week 14
Combined Meeting: Discussion of quality of life issues, glass ceiling, and family obligations
Law Office Meeting: Meetings with senior partner to discuss work to
date
STEPPS SYLLABUS
Spring 2009
Week 1
Combined Meeting: Discussion of Multiculturalism
Law Office Meeting: Discussion of persuasive advocacy in the context of administrative hearings; introduction of Client E case; discussion of interview preparation
Week 2
Combined Meeting: Discussion of confidentiality and technology
Law Office Meeting: Role play and discussion regarding confidentiality and technology
Week 3
Combined Meeting: Introduction to mediation
Law Office Meeting: Review and discussion of case planning; discussion and practice of mediation
Week 4
Combined Meeting: Discussion of organizational clients
Law Office Meeting: Feedback on persuasive administrative letters;further mediation practice
Week 5
Combined Meeting: Discussion regarding organizational clients’ mistakes
Law Office Meeting: Feedback on Client E interviews; discussion regarding preparing for a counseling session
Week 6
Combined Meeting: Discussion regarding personal interests conflicting with loyalty
Law Office Meeting: Case rounds discussion of case plans for Client E
Week 7
Combined Meeting: Discussion of conflicts regarding insurance companies
Law Office Meeting: Feedback on mediations: role plays regarding conflicts of interest and insurance companies
Week 8
Combined Meeting: Discussion of the professional responsibility duties of government lawyers
Law Office Meeting: Feedback on opinion letters for Client E; discussion of motions and arguments.
Week 9
Combined Meeting: Discussion of law firm associate professional responsibility issues
Law Office Meeting: Feedback on Client E counseling plan and counseling session; role play regarding law firm associate issue
Week 10
Combined Meeting: Discussion of the glass ceiling
Law Office Meeting: Role play regarding discrimination within the law firm context
Week 11
Combined Meeting: Discussion of FRCP 11 and sanctions
Law Office Meeting: Meetings with senior partners to evaluate motions
Week 12
Combined Meeting: Discussion of discovery abuse
Law Office Meeting: Meetings with senior partners to evaluate motions
Week 13
Combined Meeting: Discussion of judicial ethics
Law Office Meeting: Exit interviews with senior partner
Week 14
Combined Meeting: Further discussion of judicial ethics
Law Office Meeting: Exit interviews with senior partner
