MPRE Flashcards
A lawyer must not form a partnership with a _______ if any part of the partnership activities will constitute the practice of law.
nonlawyer
States can make their own admission requirements but they must be ______________ to the practice of law.
rationally related
True or False
Residency or citizenship requirements are valid admission requirements.
False
While applying to get licensed, you and your references may not knowingly make ____________ of material facts.
You and your references must respond to ______ requests for information.
You and your references must correct any ________________.
false statements
all
misunderstandings
True or False
A judge’s finding of race discrimination during a peremptory challenge is not enough to face discipline.
True
True or False
A mere suspicion of a RPC violation does not trigger mandatory reporting.
True
A lawyer must report another lawyer if that lawyer’s RPC violation raises a _________________ as to that lawyer’s honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness to practice law.
substantial question
________ state where a lawyer is admitted to practice holds the authority to discipline that lawyer, regardless of where the misconduct occurred.
Even if a lawyer is not admitted in a state, that state has the authority to discipline that lawyer if the lawyer provided or even offered ____________ in the state.
Any
legal services
A lawyer must not form a partnership with a nonlawyer if ___________ part of the partnership activities will constitute the practice of law.
any
Negotiating on a client’s behalf, appearing in judicial proceedings on a client’s behalf, and giving legal advice are generally considered the ________________________ of law when done by a nonlawyer.
However, a nonlawyer may __________________, do legal research, and draft documents with proper supervision.
unauthorized practice
interview clients
A lawyer can practice in states they are not licensed in if they have at least one active license and are not ______________ or _______________ in any state.
disbarred, suspended
Each partner and manager at a firm must make sure to have ___________ in place so that its lawyers will follow the rules of professional conduct.
measures
Each supervisory lawyer needs to make ______________ to ensure that its subordinates comply w/the rules of professional conduct.
reasonable efforts
A superior will be vicariously liable if they ________ or ________ a subordinate’s work.
A superior will be vicariously liable if they fail to take ____________________ actions.
ordered, ratified
reasonable remedial
True or False
A subordinate lawyer is bound by the RPC even if acting at the direction of another lawyer.
True
A subordinate lawyer is not subject to discipline if their action was a ____________________ of an arguable question of professional duty (borderline case).
reasonable resolution
What are the four exceptions for when lawyers can share fees with nonlawyers?
Paying death benefits to a deceased lawyer’s estate.
Sharing a court-awarded legal fee with the nonprofit organization that hired or recommended the lawyer in the matter.
Purchasing the law practice of a deceased, disabled, or disappeared lawyer.
Paying the firm’s administrative assistants a salary or bonus.
Law firm related agreements cannot _________ a lawyer’s right to practice law when the relationship ends. (non-competes not allowed)
restrict
Settlement agreements for clients cannot ___________ right to practice law
restrict
A seller must sell an _________ practice or ________ area of practice.
entire
entire
A seller must give notice to all of their clients. What three things must the notice contain?
Sale
Right to obtain counsel or possession of files
Consent to have files transferred if clients don’t respond within 90 days
Once a seller sells, they cannot engage in that practice of law in that _______ area.
local
True or False
A buyer must honor any existing fee agreements.
True
An attorney-client relationship does not apply to an entity that provides law related services even if that entity is owned by a lawyer as long as the lawyer takes ___________ measures to let the clients know.
reasonable
A lawyer can’t make or offer an agreement that includes a ___________ on the lawyer’s right to practice as part of the settlement of a client controversy.
restriction
A lawyer can’t make or offer a partnership, employment, or similar agreement that restricts a lawyer’s right to practice after ____________ of the relationship (except for an agreement concerning retirement benefits).
termination
When a law practice is sold, the seller generally has to _________ practicing law in the local area.
stop
A lawyer is subject to discipline for a disciplinary violation committed by a second lawyer if: (i) the first lawyer _______ the second lawyer’s misconduct or knew about it and ________ it; or (ii) the first lawyer is a partner or manager or has direct supervisory responsibility over the second lawyer, and knows about the misconduct at a time when its consequences can be avoided or mitigated and fails to take _______________ action.
ordered
ratified
reasonable remedial
The partners and managers in a law firm have to make reasonable efforts to assure that the conduct of ___________ who are associated with the firm is compatible with the obligations of the profession.
nonlawyers
Orders from a supervisory lawyer are no excuse for clearly __________ conduct—a lawyer has to follow the ethics rules even when acting under the direction of another person.
unethical
A subordinate lawyer doesn’t violate the rules of professional conduct by acting in accordance with a supervisor’s reasonable resolution of an __________________ of professional duty.
arguable question
If a lawyer provides nonlegal services in circumstances that aren’t distinct from the provision of legal services, then the rules of professional conduct apply to _______ the legal and nonlegal services.
both
If a lawyer provides nonlegal services through an entity that isn’t her law office but that she controls (either alone or with other lawyers), that lawyer must take reasonable steps to assure that _________ who receive the nonlegal services understand that those services aren’t legal services and that the rules of professional conduct don’t cover those services.
clients
True or False
It is valid for a state to require an applicant for admission to the bar to take an oath to uphold the state and federal constitutions.
True
A lawyer is subject to discipline for committing a criminal act that reflects adversely on his honesty, ____________, or fitness as a lawyer in other respects.
trustworthiness
A lawyer can’t engage in conduct related to the practice of law that the lawyer knows or reasonably should know is ____________ or discrimination on the basis of race, sex, religion, national origin, ethnicity, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, or socioeconomic status.
harassment
True or False
Insulting a family member at a holiday isn’t conduct related to the practice of law.
True
True or False
Using an ethnic slur against another guest at a social event held by the bar association isn’t conduct related to the practice of law.
False
True or False
Efforts aimed at recruiting, hiring, retaining, or advancing diverse employees are permitted.
True
A lawyer who _________ that another lawyer has violated the rules of professional conduct in such a way that it raises a substantial question as to that lawyer’s honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness as a lawyer must report the violation to the appropriate professional authority.
knows
A lawyer is subject to regulation by ______ state in which the lawyer is admitted to practice, regardless of where the lawyer actually practices law or where the lawyer’s conduct occurred.
A lawyer is also subject to discipline in any other state where the lawyer _________ or ________ to provide legal services.
each
provides, offers
A lawyer-client relationship can also be formed indirectly where the lawyer gives implied assent (such as by failing to _________ decline the representation) and the client _________ relies on the lawyer to provide the services.
clearly
reasonably
A lawyer-relationship can be formed in three ways. What are they?
Explicit agreement, reasonable reliance, and court appointments
What is an exception to disclosing fees?
When there is a routine representation of a regular client.
True or False
Changes to fees must be communicated.
True
When must a lawyer communicate their fees?
Before or a reasonable time after beginning representation.
All fees, even contingency fees, must be ________.
reasonable
Do retainer fees need to be refunded?
No
True or False
Contingency fees are allowed in criminal cases.
False
True or False
Contingency fees are allowed in domestic relations cases.
False
Contingency fee agreements must be in _________ and ________ by the client.
writing, signed
What must a contingency fee agreement contain?
Signature, list of expenses, and fee calculation
True or False
Regarding contingency fees, a lawyer must provide a written statement at the case’s conclusion.
True
True or False
Referral fees are allowed.
False
To split a fee with a lawyer from a different firm, _______ lawyers must be involved or responsible for the case.
And the client must _______ in writing.
both
consent
Requirements for dividing fees apply only where a lawyer shares a legal fee with an __________ attorney. Lawyers within the same firm can divide fees however they want.
outside
A lawyer can limit the scope of the representation as long as the limitation is __________ under the circumstances.
reasonable
True or False
A lawyer can discuss the legal consequences of an illegality or fraudulent activity.
True
In a civil case, the client decides whether to _______ the matter.
settle
In a criminal case, what four things does a client decide?
What plea to enter, whether to waive a jury trial, whether the client will testify, and whether to appeal.
Actual authority means the client gave you authority impliedly or ________.
explicitly
A lawyer’s actions will bind the client when they have ______ or _________ authority.
actual, apparent
Apparent authority exists when the lawyer does something on the client’s behalf and the third party ________ believes you have authority because of something the client did.
reasonably
When does actual or apparent authority end?
When client revokes it, case ends, the client dies, or you are somehow unable to represent them.
True or False
A lawyer is impliedly authorized to reveal information to the extent necessary when dealing with a vulnerable client, even if the client tells you not to.
True
A lawyer must ________ the client regularly, respond to reasonable requests for info, and promptly disclose anything that requires their _______ consent.
update
informed
A lawyer must ________ inform the client of settlement and plea bargain offers, unless the client has _________ authorized acceptance or rejection of certain offers beforehand.
promptly
expressly
What are the three mandatory grounds for withdrawing from a case?
Lawyer’s physical or mental condition materially impairs representation
Representation requires lawyer to violate RPC or other law
Fired
When can a lawyer permissively withdraw?
Whenever termination would not have a material adverse impact on the client’s interests.
Even if there would be a material adverse impact to a withdrawal, a lawyer can withdraw if: (7)
The client is doing something criminal or fraudulent involving lawyer’s services
The client already used your services in past crime or fraud
The clients actions are repugnant
The client makes it unreasonably difficult to represent them
The client hasn’t paid you and has been warned
Representing the client presents an unreasonable financial burden
Other good cause
What type of fee agreements are required to be in writing?
Although a writing is preferable, it is generally not required, except in contingent fee agreements
True or False
A lawyer may require their fee to be paid in advance, but they must refund any unearned part of the advance if they withdraw or are fired.
True
True or False
A split between lawyers of different firms need not be in proportion to each lawyer’s services if each lawyer assumes joint responsibility for the matter.
True
If the client expects the lawyer to do something that is illegal or unethical, the lawyer must consult with the client and _________ why he can’t do what the client wants.
explain
When the client has diminished capacity and faces a risk of substantial physical, financial, or other harm, the lawyer may take _________ actions to protect the client.
When taking protective action, the lawyer has implied authority to reveal the client’s confidential information, but only to the extent reasonably ___________ to protect the client.
reasonable
necessary