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Professional Responsibility and Ethics (LAW 747)

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  1. Course Overview & Materials
    Syllabus - LAW 747
    5 Topics
  2. Topics
    1. Introduction & Background
    10 Topics
  3. 2. Admission to the Practice of Law
    8 Topics
  4. 3. Introduction to the Standard and Process of Lawyer Discipline
    17 Topics
  5. 4. Malpractice
    21 Topics
  6. 5. Unauthorized Practice of Law
    16 Topics
  7. 6. Duty to Work for No Compensation (Pro Bono)
    13 Topics
  8. 7. Decision to Undertake, Decline, and Withdraw from Representation; The Prospective Client
    15 Topics
  9. 8. Division of Decisional Authority Between Lawyer and Client
    7 Topics
  10. 9. Competence, Diligence, and Communication
    8 Topics
  11. 10. Duty of Confidentiality: Attorney-Client Privilege and Work Product Doctrine
    18 Topics
  12. 11. Duty of Confidentiality: Rule 1.6 and its exceptions
    22 Topics
  13. 12. Advising Clients – Both Individual and Corporate
    12 Topics
  14. 13. Conflict of Interest: Concurrent Client Conflict
    19 Topics
  15. 14. Conflict of Interest: Conflicts Between A Client and the Lawyer’s Personal Interest
    9 Topics
  16. 15. Conflict of Interest: Former Clients
    13 Topics
  17. 16. Communication Between Lawyers and Represented/ Unrepresented Persons
    7 Topics
  18. 17. Billing for Legal Services: Fees, Handling Client Property (Settlement Proceeds and Physical Evidence)
    19 Topics
  19. 18. The Decision to File/Prosecute a Claim; Litigation & Negotiation Tactics
    14 Topics
  20. 19. Lawyer’s Duties to the Tribunal
    10 Topics
  21. 20. Duties of a Prosecutor; Limits on Trial Publicity
    12 Topics
  22. 21. Solicitation & Marketing: Constitutional & Ethical Issues
    18 Topics
  23. 22. Law Firm Administration Issues
    8 Topics
  24. 23. Judicial Ethics
    35 Topics
  25. Course Wrap-Up
    What Did We Learn?
Lesson 5, Topic 14
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4.05.04. Lawyer Represents Trustee-Like Fiduciary in Breach of an Obligation to the Intended Beneficiary of Fiduciary

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A lawyer may be found liable in situations where the lawyer represents a person in the position of a trustee or guardian and the representation results in a breach of an obligation to the intended beneficiary/fiduciary due to the negligence of the lawyer.

Lydia Lawyer was hired by Mary Mother to establish Mother as the guardian of her minor daughter Amanda with regard to a $50,000 life insurance policy Amanda’s father left for her.  Lawyer had Mother appointed as guardian but failed to post a bond as required by statute.  Subsequently, Mother absconded with the life insurance proceeds.  The substitute guardian brought a malpractice claim against Lawyer for failing to require a bond to protect Amanda.  Lawyer responded that Amanda was not her client and therefore, she owed no duty to her.  Should the claim against Lawyer proceed?  Guardianship of Karen, 38 P.3d 396 (Wash. Ct. App. 2002)

Yes.  The lawyer represented Mother in establishing a guardian relationship for the benefit of Amanda.  The lawyer’s responsibility to Amanda arises out of the nature of the representation of Mother – the very purpose of this relationship is to protect the beneficiary (Amanda).