Ethics

LawWithoutWalls Kickoff

I?m just returning from the Kickoff Conference for LawWithoutWalls (for information about the program see here).  The event provided an incredible learning opportunity for students from around the world.  Equally wonderful were several panels featuring experts on the legal profession as well as a keynote address by Richard Susskind on his book The End of Lawyers?  Rethinking the Nature of Legal Services (an interesting read if you haven't taken a look at it).  One particularly provoking discussion centered on the globalization and economic pressures faced by legal education today, including comments from Dame Hazel Genn (University College of London), John Flood (University of Westminster), Bill Henderson (Indiana University), Selvyn Seidel (Burford Advisors), Cheryl Thomas (UCL Laws), and Trish White (Miami Law).  Their consensus is that the profession as well as legal educators must embrace the innovations in delivery of legal services caused by globalization, technology advances, and regulatory changes.  This includes not only teaching our students about these developments but also preparing our students to adapt to change as they enter the profession, and to consider ways that they might contribute to the innovation.  One way to do this is through programs like LawWithoutWalls.  I?m curious whether other law schools/professors address these issues with students?  If so, how do you approach the topics?  

Full post as published by Legal Ethics Forum on January 18, 2011 (boomark / email).