FREE FL Bar Professional Responsibility Questions and Answers
What is the primary purpose of the Florida Rules of Professional Conduct?
To establish ethical standards and guidelines for attorneys. The Florida Rules of Professional Conduct provide a framework for ethical behavior, ensuring that attorneys act with integrity and in the best interests of their clients.
What must an attorney do if they learn that their client is using their services to commit a crime or fraud?
Withdraw from representation and notify the court. Under Rule 4-1.16, an attorney must withdraw if continuing representation would involve assisting in illegal activity.
Which Florida Bar rule governs conflicts of interest for attorneys?
Rule 4-1.7. This rule addresses conflicts of interest in representing clients, requiring attorneys to avoid situations where their duties to one client might be compromised by their relationship with another client.
Which of the following actions is a violation of an attorney’s duty of confidentiality under the Florida Rules?
Revealing client information in a public setting without consent. Rule 4-1.6 outlines an attorney’s duty to keep client information confidential unless the client consents or disclosure is required by law.
What is required under the Florida Bar rules before an attorney can represent clients with potentially conflicting interests?
Written, informed consent from all affected clients. When there’s a potential conflict of interest, attorneys must obtain written, informed consent from all clients after fully disclosing the situation.