Professor Sharisse O’Carroll PROFESSIONALISM AGREEMENT Spring, 2006

Professionalism defined: “Professionalism” requires lawyers to conduct themselves with honesty, integrity, reliability, and respect in their personal, as well as professional, capacity. Professionalism obligates lawyers to have pride in their professional endeavors, to perform more competently than is minimally expected, and to be motivated by a higher desire than fear of discipline or liability. Professionalism commits lawyers to improve the law, serve the community, and enhance the public’s satisfaction with the legal system.

Law school is different from your previous educational experiences. To prepare you for your future profession, you should consider your professors as senior supervising attorneys and judges. As law students, and soon-to-be lawyers, you will be endowed with an expectation of a high level of professionalism. This endowment is yours to maintain or lose. I reserve the right to alter a final grade based upon your level of professionalism. Consequently:

 (Please initial each paragraph and sign on the line below. Keep the copy for yourself and return the signed copy to your professor)

● You are expected to prepare for class and to be ready to work hard in class as you would for your boss and for the court. Being prepared for class does not mean you have become an expert on the assigned materials; it does mean that you have read (generally more than once for court opinions) the assigned materials, thought about the assigned materials, completed the assigned work, and are ready to discuss the assigned materials with others;

●   You are expected to conduct yourself in class as you would if you were an attorney in a meeting or in court. Thus, you should, listen attentively, contribute appropriately, and take risks accordingly. Listening attentively requires that you not interrupt others when they are speaking and not make disparaging remarks about their comments. Contributing appropriately means you participate, but do not dominate the discussions. Taking risks means volunteering to speak in class for some, remaining silent for others. It also means asking the professor questions and seeking clarification from the professor if you do not understand.

●   You are expected to seek help when you realize you need it or when it is recommended;

●   You are expected to attend every class, to be on time, and to remain present in the class for its duration;

●   You are expected to treat classmates, guests, staff, and professors the way you would like to be treated - with civility, courtesy, respect and honest discourse;

●   You are expected to feel free to disagree, and to discuss controversial topics; however, you are expected to do so with a spirit of courteousness and cooperation; 

● You are expected to promote an environment of fairness and equality and avoid actions or words that show bias or prejudice based upon race, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, native language, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status;

● You are expected to take notes during class and not distract other students. Just as you would not read or respond to e-mails, surf the web, or engage in other computer activities during court, you are expected not to do so in class;

●   You are expected to budget your time to adequately meet your needs to study, write, prepare, exercise, and socialize. Otherwise, the consequences to your clients and your career may be devastating. Accordingly, deadlines must be honored;

●   You are expected to receive, read and maintain the materials provided in class. If you miss a class, or misplace any materials, you are expected to get the notes and materials from your other classmates. If you then have additional questions about the materials, you may discuss those with your professor;

●   You are expected to notify your professor in advance if you are legitimately unable to meet these professionalism requirements so that the professor can make an exception. For example, you should notify your professor in advance if you must be absent, or if you are unprepared for class and do not wish to be called upon, or if you must leave class early. If you are uncomfortable discussing an issue with your professor, such as a medical condition, you should contact the Dean of Students, Vicki Limas. If you are unable to give prior notice to your professor, you should provide your professor with an explanation at the earliest possible opportunity;

●   You are expected to invest in your learning experience and grow from your mistakes. Your success is dependent upon a positive approach to work and a determination to persevere.

I have read this agreement, I understand the expectations (requirements), and I agree to abide in them.

Signature

     Modeled after the Franklin Pierce Law School first place 2003 National Award for Innovation and Excellence in Teaching Professionalism