LEGAL COUNSELING AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Main Reference: Barte, R., Legal Counseling for Practicing Lawyers

I. INTRODUCTION
The Lawyer and Society – CPR, Canons 1-5 and rules thereunder
Respect for Law and Legal Process – C1
• Bautista v. Gonzales, 182 SCRA 161 (1990)
• Zaldivar v. Gonzales, 166 SCRA 316 (1988)
• Lawyer’s Oath, Rule 138, sec. 20 (a)
Conduct – Unlawful, dishonest, immoral, deceitful – R 1.01; Rule 138, sec. 21; Rule
138, sec. 20 (d) & (g)
• In re Basa, 41 Phil 275 (1920)
• People v. Abordo, 58 Phil. 350 (1933)
• In re Guitierrez, 5 SCRA 661 (1962)
• In re Lontok, 43 Phil, 293 (1922)
• Cordova v. Cordova, 179 SCRA 680 (1989)
• People v. Tuanda, 181 SCRA 692 (1989)

#Class Activity I : Submit a written discussion on the topic, “Importance of Lawyers in Society.” The
paper must be no longer than three pages, type-written, double-spaced, and to be submitted on the next
session. Written work will also be evaluated for composition and grammar.

II. PRACTICE OF LAW

A. Definition
B. Why is it important to determine that one is in the practice of law?
a. Classical concept
People vs. Villanueva. 14 SCRA 109
b. Modern Concept
Cayetano vs. Monsod , 201 SCRA 210
(Dissenting opinions of Justice Padilla, Justice Cruz and Justice Gutierez)
c. What is not considered as practice of law
d. Unauthorized Practice of Law – not assists directly or indirectly , C9
PAFLU v. Binalbangan – Isabela Sugar Co., 42SCRA 302 (1971)
In re: Del Rosario, 52 Phil 399 (1932)
e. Legal Remedies for unauthorized practice of law

III. WHAT IS LEGAL COUNSELING AND WHAT IT IS NOT

What is Legal Counseling?
Importance of Legal counselling
• Rino v. Cawaling, 431 SCRA 128
• Office of the Court Administration v. Joven, 399 SCRA 18
• In re Terrel, 2 Phil. 266 (1903)
(#Practical Class Exercise)

IV. LEGAL ETHICS

A. Duties of a Lawyer
Code of Professional Ethics
Canon 7: ; Rule 7.03
In re: 1989 Elections of IBP, 178 SCRA 398 (1989)

B. When does a lawyer-client relationship begin? When does it terminate?

Canon 22; 22.01; Art. 390, NCC; Art. 41, FC
Ma. Luisa Hadjula vs. Atty. Roceles F. Madanda, A.C. No. 6711, July 3, 2007
Hilado vs. David, 84 Phil. 56
Tumbagahan vs. CA, 165 SCRA 485
 C. Client's Funds and Property
Rule 16.01; Article 1491, Civil Code
Ordonio vs. Eduarte, 207 SCRA 229
Tuazon vs. Tuazon, 88 Phil. 42
Aya vs, Bigornia, 57 Phil. 20
Maxiom vs. Manila Railroad co. 44 Phil. 597
A.B.A. Op. 225 (july 12, 1941)
Guevarra vs. Calalang, 117 SCRA

D. Conflict of Interest
Nakpil vs. Valdez, 286 SCRA 758
Santos vs. Beltran, AC No. 5858 (2003)
Donald Dee vs. CA, 176 SCRA 651

V. MAJOR AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION

A. Transactional/Commercial
B. Litigation

VI. GENERAL PRACTICE

VII. OPENING A LAW OFFICE
VIII. PROPOSED ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE OF A START-UP LAW FIRM/OFFICE

(#Practical Class Exercise)

IX. BILLING THE CLIENT

A. Two Concepts of Attorney’s Fees
B. Two Kinds of Retainer’s Fees
C. Guidelines in Ascertaining the Real Worth of a Lawyer’s Services
Rule 20.01, Canon 20, Code of Professional Responsibility
Peyer vs, Peyer, 77 Phil 366

X. BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT/MARKETING FOR LAW PRACTITIONERS

XI. KEEPING CLIENTS
XII. WORK TASKS
A. the Interview
B. Advice
C. Negotiation & Conciliation
D. Drafting
E. Clarity and Precision Writing
F. Litigation
G. Financing
H. Property management

• SKILLS THAT A LAWYER MUST HAVE!

XIII. ADVOCACY: CASE MANAGEMENT AND PREPARATION

XIV. CASE PRESENTATION
How do you prepare for a case?

(# Submission of Final Paper)