ALPP CLC Exam and Study
Guide 2025-2026 Exam With
200 Questions and Answers
Ethics & Professional Responsibility
1. Q: What is the primary ethical duty of a Certified Legal Consultant?
A: To provide competent legal services under the supervision of a licensed attorney,
while maintaining client confidentiality.
2. Q: The CLC must avoid the unauthorized practice of law (UPL). What constitutes UPL?
A: Providing legal advice, representing a client in court, or setting legal fees without
attorney supervision.
3. Q: True or False: A CLC can form an attorney-client relationship.
A: False. Only a licensed attorney can form the relationship; the CLC works under that
umbrella.
4. Q: What must a CLC do upon discovering a conflict of interest?
A: Immediately disclose it to the supervising attorney.
5. Q: Confidentiality under attorney-client privilege extends to communications with which
individuals?
A: The attorney, the client, and necessary agents (like the CLC) for the purpose of
obtaining legal services.
6. Q: What is the "fruit of the poisonous tree" doctrine in the context of ethics?
A: Evidence obtained from an initial ethical violation (like a breach of confidentiality) is
also tainted and likely inadmissible.
7. Q: Can a CLC sign pleadings filed with the court?
A: Generally, no. Pleadings must typically be signed by the attorney of record.
Civil Litigation & Procedure
8. Q: What is the purpose of the "discovery" phase in litigation?
,A: To gather evidence, assess the strength of claims/defenses, and prevent trial by ambush.
9. Q: List the four primary types of discovery.
A: Interrogatories, Requests for Production, Depositions, Requests for Admission.
10. Q: What is a "subpoena duces tecum"?
A: A court order commanding a person to produce documents or evidence at a specified
time/place.
11. Q: What is the difference between a "complaint" and an "answer"?
A: A complaint initiates a lawsuit by stating claims; an answer responds to those claims
with defenses and admissions/denials.
12. Q: Define "service of process."
A: The formal delivery of a summons, complaint, or other court document to a party,
giving them official notice.
13. Q: What is a "motion for summary judgment"?
A: A request for the court to rule that there are no genuine issues of material fact and
that the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.
14. Q: What is "voir dire"?
A: The process of questioning potential jurors to select an impartial jury.
Legal Research & Writing
15. Q: What is the standard legal citation manual in the U.S.?
A: The Bluebook: A Uniform System of Citation.
16. Q: What is the key difference between "primary" and "secondary" legal authority?
A: Primary authority (statutes, cases) is binding law. Secondary authority (treatises, law
reviews) explains or analyzes the law but is not binding.
17. Q: In a case citation "347 U.S. 483 (1954)," what do "347," "U.S.," and "483" represent?
A: Volume 347, United States Reports, page 483.
18. Q: What is a "holding" in a court opinion?
A: The court's definitive ruling on the legal issue that is binding precedent.
19. Q: What is "Shepardizing" or "KeyCiting" a case?
A: The process of checking the subsequent history and treatment of a case to ensure it is
still "good law."
, 20. Q: What should the "Question Presented" in a legal memo do?
A: Concisely state the specific legal issue to be analyzed.
21. Q: What is IRAC?
A: A structured writing method: Issue, Rule, Application, Conclusion.
Contracts Law
22. Q: What are the four basic elements of a valid contract?
A: Offer, Acceptance, Consideration, Legal Purpose/Capacity.
23. Q: What is "consideration"?
A: Something of value exchanged between parties to a contract (e.g., money, a promise,
an act).
24. Q: What is the "statute of frauds"?
A: A legal doctrine requiring certain contracts (e.g., for real estate, marriage, sales over a
certain amount) to be in writing to be enforceable.
25. Q: Define "breach of contract."
A: The failure, without legal excuse, to perform any promise that forms the whole or
part of a contract.
26. Q: What are the three main types of damages for breach of contract?
A: Compensatory (direct loss), Consequential (foreseeable indirect loss), Punitive (rare,
for egregious conduct).
27. Q: What is the "parol evidence rule"?
A: Prevents parties from introducing extrinsic evidence of prior or contemporaneous
negotiations to contradict a final, integrated written contract.
Torts Law
28. Q: What is a "tort"?
A: A civil wrong, other than breach of contract, for which the law provides a remedy (typically
damages).
29. Q: What are the three elements of negligence?
A: Duty, Breach of Duty, Causation (actual & proximate) and Damages.
30. Q: What is "strict liability"?
A: Liability without fault, applied to abnormally dangerous activities or defective
products.
, 31. Q: Define "defamation."
A: A false statement of fact communicated to a third party that harms a person's
reputation (Libel = written; Slander = spoken).
32. Q: What is the key defense to a claim of defamation for a public figure?
A: "Actual Malice" – the defendant knew the statement was false or acted with reckless
disregard for the truth.
33. Q: What does "res ipsa loquitur" mean?
A: "The thing speaks for itself." A doctrine allowing negligence to be inferred when the
incident wouldn't normally happen without negligence and the defendant had exclusive
control.
Family Law
34. Q: What are "no-fault" grounds for divorce?
A: Irreconcilable differences or irretrievable breakdown of the marriage, without needing to
prove wrongdoing.
35. Q: What is the "best interests of the child" standard?
A: The primary legal standard used by courts to make decisions regarding child custody
and welfare.
36. Q: What is the difference between "legal custody" and "physical custody"?
A: Legal custody involves decision-making rights (health, education). Physical custody
involves where the child lives.
37. Q: What factors do courts consider when calculating child support?
A: Income of both parents, number of children, custody arrangement, and state-specific
guidelines.
38. Q: What is a "QDRO"?
A: Qualified Domestic Relations Order. A court order that divides a retirement plan (e.g.,
401k) in a divorce.
Criminal Law & Procedure
39. Q: What does "beyond a reasonable doubt" mean?
A: The high standard of proof required for a criminal conviction.
40. Q: What are "Miranda Rights"?
A: Warnings (right to remain silent, right to an attorney) that must be given to a suspect
in custody before interrogation.
Guide 2025-2026 Exam With
200 Questions and Answers
Ethics & Professional Responsibility
1. Q: What is the primary ethical duty of a Certified Legal Consultant?
A: To provide competent legal services under the supervision of a licensed attorney,
while maintaining client confidentiality.
2. Q: The CLC must avoid the unauthorized practice of law (UPL). What constitutes UPL?
A: Providing legal advice, representing a client in court, or setting legal fees without
attorney supervision.
3. Q: True or False: A CLC can form an attorney-client relationship.
A: False. Only a licensed attorney can form the relationship; the CLC works under that
umbrella.
4. Q: What must a CLC do upon discovering a conflict of interest?
A: Immediately disclose it to the supervising attorney.
5. Q: Confidentiality under attorney-client privilege extends to communications with which
individuals?
A: The attorney, the client, and necessary agents (like the CLC) for the purpose of
obtaining legal services.
6. Q: What is the "fruit of the poisonous tree" doctrine in the context of ethics?
A: Evidence obtained from an initial ethical violation (like a breach of confidentiality) is
also tainted and likely inadmissible.
7. Q: Can a CLC sign pleadings filed with the court?
A: Generally, no. Pleadings must typically be signed by the attorney of record.
Civil Litigation & Procedure
8. Q: What is the purpose of the "discovery" phase in litigation?
,A: To gather evidence, assess the strength of claims/defenses, and prevent trial by ambush.
9. Q: List the four primary types of discovery.
A: Interrogatories, Requests for Production, Depositions, Requests for Admission.
10. Q: What is a "subpoena duces tecum"?
A: A court order commanding a person to produce documents or evidence at a specified
time/place.
11. Q: What is the difference between a "complaint" and an "answer"?
A: A complaint initiates a lawsuit by stating claims; an answer responds to those claims
with defenses and admissions/denials.
12. Q: Define "service of process."
A: The formal delivery of a summons, complaint, or other court document to a party,
giving them official notice.
13. Q: What is a "motion for summary judgment"?
A: A request for the court to rule that there are no genuine issues of material fact and
that the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.
14. Q: What is "voir dire"?
A: The process of questioning potential jurors to select an impartial jury.
Legal Research & Writing
15. Q: What is the standard legal citation manual in the U.S.?
A: The Bluebook: A Uniform System of Citation.
16. Q: What is the key difference between "primary" and "secondary" legal authority?
A: Primary authority (statutes, cases) is binding law. Secondary authority (treatises, law
reviews) explains or analyzes the law but is not binding.
17. Q: In a case citation "347 U.S. 483 (1954)," what do "347," "U.S.," and "483" represent?
A: Volume 347, United States Reports, page 483.
18. Q: What is a "holding" in a court opinion?
A: The court's definitive ruling on the legal issue that is binding precedent.
19. Q: What is "Shepardizing" or "KeyCiting" a case?
A: The process of checking the subsequent history and treatment of a case to ensure it is
still "good law."
, 20. Q: What should the "Question Presented" in a legal memo do?
A: Concisely state the specific legal issue to be analyzed.
21. Q: What is IRAC?
A: A structured writing method: Issue, Rule, Application, Conclusion.
Contracts Law
22. Q: What are the four basic elements of a valid contract?
A: Offer, Acceptance, Consideration, Legal Purpose/Capacity.
23. Q: What is "consideration"?
A: Something of value exchanged between parties to a contract (e.g., money, a promise,
an act).
24. Q: What is the "statute of frauds"?
A: A legal doctrine requiring certain contracts (e.g., for real estate, marriage, sales over a
certain amount) to be in writing to be enforceable.
25. Q: Define "breach of contract."
A: The failure, without legal excuse, to perform any promise that forms the whole or
part of a contract.
26. Q: What are the three main types of damages for breach of contract?
A: Compensatory (direct loss), Consequential (foreseeable indirect loss), Punitive (rare,
for egregious conduct).
27. Q: What is the "parol evidence rule"?
A: Prevents parties from introducing extrinsic evidence of prior or contemporaneous
negotiations to contradict a final, integrated written contract.
Torts Law
28. Q: What is a "tort"?
A: A civil wrong, other than breach of contract, for which the law provides a remedy (typically
damages).
29. Q: What are the three elements of negligence?
A: Duty, Breach of Duty, Causation (actual & proximate) and Damages.
30. Q: What is "strict liability"?
A: Liability without fault, applied to abnormally dangerous activities or defective
products.
, 31. Q: Define "defamation."
A: A false statement of fact communicated to a third party that harms a person's
reputation (Libel = written; Slander = spoken).
32. Q: What is the key defense to a claim of defamation for a public figure?
A: "Actual Malice" – the defendant knew the statement was false or acted with reckless
disregard for the truth.
33. Q: What does "res ipsa loquitur" mean?
A: "The thing speaks for itself." A doctrine allowing negligence to be inferred when the
incident wouldn't normally happen without negligence and the defendant had exclusive
control.
Family Law
34. Q: What are "no-fault" grounds for divorce?
A: Irreconcilable differences or irretrievable breakdown of the marriage, without needing to
prove wrongdoing.
35. Q: What is the "best interests of the child" standard?
A: The primary legal standard used by courts to make decisions regarding child custody
and welfare.
36. Q: What is the difference between "legal custody" and "physical custody"?
A: Legal custody involves decision-making rights (health, education). Physical custody
involves where the child lives.
37. Q: What factors do courts consider when calculating child support?
A: Income of both parents, number of children, custody arrangement, and state-specific
guidelines.
38. Q: What is a "QDRO"?
A: Qualified Domestic Relations Order. A court order that divides a retirement plan (e.g.,
401k) in a divorce.
Criminal Law & Procedure
39. Q: What does "beyond a reasonable doubt" mean?
A: The high standard of proof required for a criminal conviction.
40. Q: What are "Miranda Rights"?
A: Warnings (right to remain silent, right to an attorney) that must be given to a suspect
in custody before interrogation.
