MD Bar Professional Responsibility 1

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

Rule 1.1 requires competence defined as the thoroughness and preparation reasonably necessary for the representation, not mastery of all law or minimum years of experience.

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

Rule 1.4 requires lawyers to keep clients reasonably informed and to promptly comply with reasonable requests for information about the representation.

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

Rule 1.5 lists eight factors for reasonableness of fees, none of which include the client's personal income or financial circumstances.

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

Rule 1.7 identifies two types of concurrent conflicts: direct adversity between current clients and a significant risk that representation will be materially limited by the lawyer's other interests or responsibilities.

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

Rule 1.8(a) requires fair and reasonable terms disclosed in writing, advisement that the client may seek independent counsel, and the client's informed written consent.

(MD Bar) Maryland Bar Exam Practice Test

(MD Bar) Maryland Bar Exam Practice Test

MD Bar Professional Responsibility 1