CAS Professional Responsibility and Ethics

Question 1

A lawyer is representing a client in a civil litigation matter. The client instructs the lawyer to file a complaint with allegations that the lawyer knows are false. What should the lawyer do?

Accepted Answer

Refuse to file the complaint and explain to the client that the allegations must be truthful.

Answer

File the complaint as instructed and withdraw from the case later.

Answer

File the complaint and disclose the false allegations to the court, but continue representing the client.

Answer

File the complaint but include a note that the lawyer does not personally believe the allegations.

Question 2

A lawyer learns that a colleague has been engaging in unethical behavior, such as misappropriating client funds. What is the lawyer’s ethical obligation?

Accepted Answer

Report the unethical behavior to the appropriate disciplinary authority.

Answer

Ignore the behavior to avoid conflict with the colleague.

Answer

Confront the colleague privately and suggest they stop the behavior without reporting it.

Answer

Document the behavior and use it as leverage in future negotiations with the colleague.

Question 3

An attorney receives a substantial gift from a client. What is the attorney required to do to comply with ethical rules?

Accepted Answer

Decline the gift to avoid any appearance of impropriety, unless it is a token of appreciation.

Answer

Accept the gift as long as the client insists and the attorney is not coerced.

Answer

Accept the gift and inform the client that the gift will be recorded for the attorney’s records.

Answer

Accept the gift but make sure it is not a cash gift, as that is more problematic.

Question 4

A lawyer discovers that they have inadvertently disclosed confidential information in a court document. What is the lawyer’s best course of action?

Accepted Answer

Inform the client about the disclosure and take immediate steps to mitigate any harm.

Answer

Ignore the disclosure and proceed with the case.

Answer

Apologize to the opposing counsel for the mistake and request their cooperation in not using the disclosed information.

Answer

Withdraw from the case to avoid further issues.

Question 5

A lawyer is representing a client in a criminal defense case. During the trial, the lawyer learns that their client intends to commit perjury and provide false testimony. What should the lawyer do?

Accepted Answer

Withdraw from the representation immediately and inform the court of the reason for withdrawal.

Answer

Continue to represent the client but ignore the planned perjury.

Answer

Advise the client against committing perjury, but proceed with the case as planned.

Answer

Inform the court of the client’s intention to commit perjury without withdrawing from the case.