NALA Professional and Ethical Responsibility 2

Question 1

A paralegal discovers that a supervising attorney has been billing a client for work the paralegal never performed. What is the paralegal's ethical obligation?

Accepted Answer

Report the conduct to appropriate authorities or the attorney's superiors

Answer

Ignore it to protect job security

Answer

Bill additional hours to balance the discrepancy

Answer

Inform the client directly without telling the attorney

Question 2

Under NALA's Code of Ethics, which of the following best describes the concept of 'competence' for a paralegal?

Accepted Answer

Maintaining legal knowledge, skill, thoroughness, and preparation reasonably necessary for assigned tasks

Answer

Passing the CLA/CP exam

Answer

Having a four-year college degree

Answer

Working under an attorney for at least two years

Question 3

A paralegal working on a personal injury case is approached by a claims adjuster who offers a gift card in exchange for early settlement information. The paralegal should:

Accepted Answer

Decline and report the contact to the supervising attorney

Answer

Accept if the gift is under $25

Answer

Accept and donate the value to charity

Answer

Accept only if the client would not object

Question 4

Which NALA ethical canon addresses a paralegal's obligation to maintain integrity in professional relationships?

Accepted Answer

Canon 7

Answer

Canon 1

Answer

Canon 3

Answer

Canon 9

Question 5

A paralegal's friend asks the paralegal to look up information about another client's pending lawsuit using their firm's case management system. The paralegal should:

Accepted Answer

Refuse, as accessing client files for personal reasons violates confidentiality

Answer

Look up only publicly available docket information

Answer

Help only if the friend is a party to the case

Answer

Access only general case status, not documents

Question 6

When a paralegal signs a letter drafted on behalf of a supervising attorney, the letter must make clear that:

Accepted Answer

The paralegal's non-attorney status is disclosed

Answer

The paralegal is a licensed professional

Answer

The supervising attorney approved every word

Answer

The firm takes no responsibility for the content

Question 7

A paralegal who simultaneously works part-time at two competing law firms must be most concerned about which ethical issue?

Accepted Answer

Conflicts of interest and confidentiality breaches

Answer

Billing accuracy

Answer

Unauthorized practice of law

Answer

Competence