CLA/CP Exam CLA/CP Professional and Ethical Responsibility 1

Question 1

A paralegal receives a call from a client asking whether the client should accept a settlement offer. The paralegal believes the offer is fair. What is the paralegal's proper response?

Accepted Answer

Explain that only the supervising attorney can advise on whether to accept a settlement, and offer to relay the question

Answer

Advise the client to accept the offer based on similar cases the firm has handled

Answer

Refuse to discuss the matter at all and hang up

Answer

Tell the client the offer sounds reasonable but to consult a second attorney

Question 2

Which of the following best describes a paralegal's duty when assigned work that the paralegal believes contains a legal error made by the supervising attorney?

Accepted Answer

Bring the concern to the supervising attorney's attention and document having done so

Answer

Complete the work as directed without comment to preserve the attorney-client relationship

Answer

Correct the error independently and submit the revised work without notifying anyone

Answer

Report the attorney immediately to the state bar association

Question 3

Under NALA's Code of Ethics, a paralegal who is asked by a client to keep a secret from the supervising attorney should:

Accepted Answer

Decline, because a paralegal cannot maintain confidences that are withheld from the supervising attorney

Answer

Honor the client's request to maintain trust

Answer

Agree only if the information is not material to the case

Answer

Report the client's request to the opposing counsel

Question 4

A paralegal signs a letter to opposing counsel using the title 'Paralegal' but inadvertently uses the firm's letterhead without adding a disclaimer that the letter is from a non-attorney. Which ethical principle is most at risk?

Accepted Answer

Unauthorized practice of law through misrepresentation of status

Answer

Confidentiality

Answer

Competence

Answer

Conflict of interest

Question 5

A paralegal at a criminal defense firm is contacted by a journalist seeking comment on a high-profile case. The paralegal has relevant knowledge of the matter. What should the paralegal do?

Accepted Answer

Decline to comment and refer the journalist to the supervising attorney or firm spokesperson

Answer

Provide only publicly available information to assist the journalist

Answer

Give a brief comment as long as no privileged communications are disclosed

Answer

Ask the client's permission before speaking to the journalist

Question 6

A paralegal discovers that a colleague in the same firm is sharing client files with an outside vendor without client consent or a proper confidentiality agreement. What is the paralegal's most appropriate course of action?

Accepted Answer

Report the conduct to the supervising attorney or firm management promptly

Answer

Ignore it because the colleague is more senior

Answer

Join the practice if the supervising attorney is already aware of it

Answer

Notify the client directly before taking any internal steps