MD Bar Professional Responsibility

Question 1

Under Maryland Rule of Professional Conduct 1.1, which statement best describes a lawyer's duty of competence?

Accepted Answer

A lawyer must provide legal services with the thoroughness and preparation reasonably necessary for the matter

Answer

A lawyer must have complete mastery of all areas of law before accepting any client

Answer

A lawyer must only handle cases in areas where they have at least five years of experience

Answer

A lawyer's competence is determined solely by their bar admission status

Question 2

Under Maryland Rule of Professional Conduct 1.4, what is a lawyer's core communication obligation to a client?

Accepted Answer

Keep the client reasonably informed and promptly respond to reasonable requests for information

Answer

Provide a written status report every 30 days

Answer

Hold monthly in-person meetings to discuss matter updates

Answer

Only update the client when there are significant developments in the matter

Question 3

Under Maryland Rule of Professional Conduct 1.5, which of the following factors is NOT relevant to determining whether a fee is reasonable?

Accepted Answer

The client's personal income and financial circumstances

Answer

The time and labor required and the novelty and difficulty of the questions involved

Answer

The experience, reputation, and ability of the lawyer performing the services

Answer

The customary fee charged in the locality for similar legal services

Question 4

Under Maryland Rule of Professional Conduct 1.7, when does a concurrent conflict of interest exist?

Accepted Answer

When the representation of one client is directly adverse to another client, or when there is a significant risk the representation will be materially limited by other responsibilities

Answer

Only when a lawyer represents two clients in the same lawsuit

Answer

Only when both clients are aware of the potential conflict and have not consented

Answer

Only when the lawyer stands to gain financially from both clients simultaneously

Question 5

Under Maryland Rule of Professional Conduct 1.8(a), before entering a business transaction with a client, a lawyer must:

Accepted Answer

Ensure terms are fair and reasonable in writing, advise the client to seek independent counsel, and obtain the client's informed written consent

Answer

Obtain prior approval from the Attorney Grievance Commission

Answer

Simply obtain the client's verbal consent before proceeding with the transaction

Answer

Withdraw from the representation before entering any business transaction with the client

Question 6

Under Maryland Rule of Professional Conduct 1.9, a lawyer who formerly represented a client may represent an adverse party in the same or a substantially related matter ONLY if:

Accepted Answer

The former client gives informed consent confirmed in writing

Answer

The new client gives informed consent confirmed in writing

Answer

More than two years have passed since the prior representation ended

Answer

The Maryland State Bar Association approves the representation

Question 7

Under Maryland Rule of Professional Conduct 1.15, how must a lawyer handle funds belonging to a client?

Accepted Answer

Client funds must be deposited in a separate trust account and must not be commingled with the lawyer's own funds

Answer

Client funds may be kept in the lawyer's personal account if properly documented in a ledger

Answer

Client funds may be held personally by the lawyer for up to 30 days before deposit

Answer

Client funds under $1,000 may be kept in the law firm's operating account for administrative convenience