Georgetown University Law Center
considers the development of an understanding of legal
ethics on the part of its students a central part
of its educational mission. An introductory session
at orientation begins a conversation about ethics
that continues throughout the student’s career
in law school and as a practicing lawyer. The faculty
also offers a series of small seminars in which 10
upperclass students meet with a faculty member to
discuss issues of ethics and professional identity.
A course in legal ethics,
called Professional Responsibility, is required for
graduation. This basic course is
offered as a perspective elective to first-year day
students or may be taken in the upperclass years.
The focus of each section of the required course
varies according to the background and interests
of the professor. Advanced courses in legal ethics
are also available. The graduate program offers a
series of ethics courses that illuminate ethics issues
specific to the course of study.
The legal ethics faculty consists of a combination
of nationally recognized full time faculty and experienced
practicing attorneys. The full time faculty offers
a wide variety of perspectives on emerging trends
in professional responsibility and the rules of conduct
that govern the practice of law. The adjunct faculty
brings a diverse range of specializations such as
firm practice, public interest and government service.
The course content of the basic instruction in professional
responsibility provides the student with an understanding
of the lawyer’s role in society and the obligation
to represent clients within the bounds of the law.
Georgetown’s clinical programs emphasize the
ethical dimension of representing clients by both
class discussion and the application of ethics concepts
to the real life situations that the students encounter.
Georgetown students may participate in the only student
journal devoted to the study of legal ethics. The
Georgetown Journal of Legal Ethics has gained a national
reputation as an important resource of scholarly
discussion of the emerging issues that will shape
the nature of the practice of law for the future
Georgetown graduate.
Georgetown University Law Center ‘s commitment
to integrity and professionalism requires academic
honesty and ethical behavior on the part of its students.
The Student
Disciplinary Code prohibits conduct
that is dishonest, evidences a lack of integrity or
trustworthiness, or may unfairly impinge on the rights
or privileges of members of the Law Center community.
The Law Center requires that
academic papers, either submitted for course credit
or journal publication,
reflect the original ideas of the student or accord
full and proper attribution to the source. The standards
regarding plagiarism, as set forth as an appendix to
the Student Disciplinary Code, provide students with
an understanding of the
principles of academic honesty in the submission
of written work. Knowledge of and adherence to these
standards is expected of all Law Center students.
The Code is administered by the Professional Responsibility
Committee, which consists of students and faculty members.
The Code assures that the rights of all students are
respected and that the highest standards of integrity
are promoted.
The Law Center requires that academic papers, either
submitted for course credit or journal publication,
reflect the original ideas of the student or accord
full and proper attribution to the source. The standards
regarding plagiarism, as set forth as an appendix to
the Student Disciplinary Code, provide students with
an understanding of the principles of academic honesty
in the submission of written work. Knowledge of and
adherence to these standards is expected of all Law
Center students.
The Law Center’s Ethics Counsel, Adjunct Professor
Michael
Frisch, serves as the investigator
and, where appropriate, prosecutor of violations of
the Code. The Ethics Counsel administers the duties
of the office with careful regard for the educative
value of the Code and the rights of the students. The
Ethics Counsel also provides ethics advice to students
in connection with the representation of clients in
clinical programs.
The Law Center prepares students for admission to
the practice of law. Each state requires that the applicant
for admission demonstrate the character and fitness
necessary for a member of the profession. The Ethics
Counsel provides advice and assistance to students
in connection with the Bar admission process.