Professionalism Case Studies
The Law Society has developed a series of Professionalism Case Studies to be used as the basis for discussion by study groups. A Professionalism Case Study is a description of an actual situation in which a lawyer or paralegal is faced with a decision involving one or more ethical, professional responsibility or practice management issues.
Study groups offer a flexible and convenient way for lawyers and paralegals to obtain CPD Hours. This will include attendance at a group session of two or more lawyers or paralegals that is organized for the purpose of discussing content that comes within the CPD definition. Study group participants may be lawyers or paralegals from a variety of settings — sole and small firm colleagues in the same community or lawyers and paralegals in the same firm, legal department, government agency, or clinic. Live, in-person participation, in addition to telephone conference, webconference (e.g. Skype, Google Chat) or videoconference are all acceptable delivery methods, so long as attendees can interact with one another in real time. Lawyers or paralegals who facilitate study group sessions may claim up to three hours of credit for every one hour session to reflect preparation time. File or matter specific discussion is not eligible for CPD Hours.
Please see the following resources for more information:
- Step-by-Step Guide to Study Groups (PDF)
- Step-by-Step Guide to Organizing a Roundtable Session (PDF)
- Facilitator's Guide (PDF)
- Introduction to Professionalism Case Studies (PDF)
- Participant's Guide to Using the Professionalism Case Studies in a Study Group Session (PDF)
- FAQ on Professionalism Case Studies
- Professionalism Questions by Practice Area (PDF)
Professionalism Case Studies by Practice Area
- Administrative Law: The Inconsistent Witness (PDF)
Request the Facilitator Guide for the Administrative Law: The Inconsistent Witness case study - Administrative Law: The Expert Report (PDF)
Request the Facilitator Guide for the Administrative Law: The Expert Report case study - Business Law: The Sole Proprietor (PDF)
Request the Facilitator Guide for the Business Law: The Sole Proprietor case study - Criminal Law: The Guilty Plea (PDF)
Request the Facilitator Guide for the Criminal Law: The Guilty Plea case study - Civil Litigation: The Allegation (PDF)
Request the Facilitator Guide for the Civil Litigation: The Allegation case study - Family Law: The Separation Agreement (PDF)
Request the Facilitator Guide for the Family Law: The Separation Agreement case study - Personal Injury Law: The Offer of Employment (PDF)
Request the Facilitator Guide for the Personal Injury Law: The Offer of Employment case study - Real Estate Law: The Joint Venture (PDF)
Request the Facilitator Guide for the Real Estate Law: The Joint Venture case study - Small Claims Court: The E-mail (PDF)
Request the Facilitator Guide for the Small Claims Court: The E-mail case study - Wills and Estates: The Last Will (PDF)
Request the Facilitator Guide for the Wills and Estates: The Last Will case study - Workplace Safety and Insurance: Late Evidence (PDF)
Request the Facilitator Guide for the Workplace Safety and Insurance: Late Evidence case study
Guides for facilitators are available upon request by e-mailing rc@lsuc.on.ca and include learning objectives, suggested topics and sample discussion questions.
