Complete MPRE Prep Guide Multiple-Choice
Questions with Rationales Based on ABA Model Rules
Question 1
A lawyer who has been retained by a client must:
A) Accept all cases offered by the client
B) Act with reasonable diligence and promptness in representing the client
C) Guarantee a favorable outcome
D) Defer all decisions to the client without professional judgment
Answer: B
Rationale: Under Rule 1.3, a lawyer must act with reasonable diligence and promptness in
representing a client. Lawyers are not required to accept all cases and cannot guarantee outcomes.
Question 2
When may a lawyer withdraw from representing a client?
A) Only with court approval
B) At any time without notice
C) If the client insists upon taking action that the lawyer considers repugnant
D) Only if the client fails to pay fees
Answer: C
Rationale: Rule 1.16 permits withdrawal if the client insists upon taking action that the
lawyer considers repugnant or with which the lawyer has a fundamental disagreement. Other
reasons include client breach of obligations, and where continued representation would violate the
rules.
, Question 3
What is the scope of representation in a criminal case where a lawyer believes the client is guilty?
A) The lawyer must withdraw
B) The lawyer may still provide effective representation and test the prosecution's case
C) The lawyer must inform the court of the client's guilt
D) The lawyer must encourage the client to plead guilty
Answer: B
Rationale: Even if a lawyer believes the client is guilty, the lawyer may still provide a vigorous
defense. It is the prosecution's burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The lawyer cannot
disclose client confidences and must maintain client confidentiality.
Question 4
A lawyer's responsibilities regarding client decisions include:
A) Making all strategic decisions independently
B) Making all decisions after consulting with the client
C) Determining whether to accept a plea offer after consultation with the client
D) Deciding whether to testify in a criminal trial
Answer: C
Rationale: Under Rule 1.2, a lawyer must abide by a client's decisions concerning the
objectives of representation and must consult with the client regarding the means to achieve those
objectives. In a criminal case, the client has the ultimate authority to decide whether to accept a plea
offer and whether to testify.
, Question 5
A lawyer who has a client with diminished capacity:
A) Must withdraw from representation
B) May take protective action and, where necessary, seek the appointment of a guardian
C) Must disregard the client's wishes entirely
D) Must always follow the client's instructions regardless of capacity
Answer: B
Rationale: Rule 1.14 allows a lawyer to take protective action and, where necessary, seek the
appointment of a guardian for a client with diminished capacity.
Question 6
A lawyer's duty to communicate with a client includes:
A) Only providing information when the client asks
B) Keeping the client reasonably informed about the status of the matter
C) Only communicating in writing
D) Only at the beginning and end of representation
Answer: B
Rationale: Rule 1.4 requires lawyers to keep clients reasonably informed about the status of
the matter and promptly comply with reasonable requests for information.
, Question 7
A lawyer who charges a fee that is "clearly excessive":
A) May be subject to discipline
B) Can avoid discipline by disclosing the fee to the client
C) Is immune from discipline if the fee is in writing
D) Is never subject to discipline
Answer: A
Rationale: Rule 1.5 prohibits charging a clearly excessive fee. A lawyer who charges such a fee
may be subject to professional discipline.
Question 8
Contingent fee arrangements:
A) Are prohibited in all cases
B) Are permitted in civil cases but prohibited in criminal cases
C) Are permitted in criminal cases
D) Are permitted in divorce cases
Answer: B
Rationale: Rule 1.5(d) prohibits contingent fees in criminal cases and domestic relations
matters where the fee is contingent on the securing of a divorce or the amount of support.
Question 9
Questions with Rationales Based on ABA Model Rules
Question 1
A lawyer who has been retained by a client must:
A) Accept all cases offered by the client
B) Act with reasonable diligence and promptness in representing the client
C) Guarantee a favorable outcome
D) Defer all decisions to the client without professional judgment
Answer: B
Rationale: Under Rule 1.3, a lawyer must act with reasonable diligence and promptness in
representing a client. Lawyers are not required to accept all cases and cannot guarantee outcomes.
Question 2
When may a lawyer withdraw from representing a client?
A) Only with court approval
B) At any time without notice
C) If the client insists upon taking action that the lawyer considers repugnant
D) Only if the client fails to pay fees
Answer: C
Rationale: Rule 1.16 permits withdrawal if the client insists upon taking action that the
lawyer considers repugnant or with which the lawyer has a fundamental disagreement. Other
reasons include client breach of obligations, and where continued representation would violate the
rules.
, Question 3
What is the scope of representation in a criminal case where a lawyer believes the client is guilty?
A) The lawyer must withdraw
B) The lawyer may still provide effective representation and test the prosecution's case
C) The lawyer must inform the court of the client's guilt
D) The lawyer must encourage the client to plead guilty
Answer: B
Rationale: Even if a lawyer believes the client is guilty, the lawyer may still provide a vigorous
defense. It is the prosecution's burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The lawyer cannot
disclose client confidences and must maintain client confidentiality.
Question 4
A lawyer's responsibilities regarding client decisions include:
A) Making all strategic decisions independently
B) Making all decisions after consulting with the client
C) Determining whether to accept a plea offer after consultation with the client
D) Deciding whether to testify in a criminal trial
Answer: C
Rationale: Under Rule 1.2, a lawyer must abide by a client's decisions concerning the
objectives of representation and must consult with the client regarding the means to achieve those
objectives. In a criminal case, the client has the ultimate authority to decide whether to accept a plea
offer and whether to testify.
, Question 5
A lawyer who has a client with diminished capacity:
A) Must withdraw from representation
B) May take protective action and, where necessary, seek the appointment of a guardian
C) Must disregard the client's wishes entirely
D) Must always follow the client's instructions regardless of capacity
Answer: B
Rationale: Rule 1.14 allows a lawyer to take protective action and, where necessary, seek the
appointment of a guardian for a client with diminished capacity.
Question 6
A lawyer's duty to communicate with a client includes:
A) Only providing information when the client asks
B) Keeping the client reasonably informed about the status of the matter
C) Only communicating in writing
D) Only at the beginning and end of representation
Answer: B
Rationale: Rule 1.4 requires lawyers to keep clients reasonably informed about the status of
the matter and promptly comply with reasonable requests for information.
, Question 7
A lawyer who charges a fee that is "clearly excessive":
A) May be subject to discipline
B) Can avoid discipline by disclosing the fee to the client
C) Is immune from discipline if the fee is in writing
D) Is never subject to discipline
Answer: A
Rationale: Rule 1.5 prohibits charging a clearly excessive fee. A lawyer who charges such a fee
may be subject to professional discipline.
Question 8
Contingent fee arrangements:
A) Are prohibited in all cases
B) Are permitted in civil cases but prohibited in criminal cases
C) Are permitted in criminal cases
D) Are permitted in divorce cases
Answer: B
Rationale: Rule 1.5(d) prohibits contingent fees in criminal cases and domestic relations
matters where the fee is contingent on the securing of a divorce or the amount of support.
Question 9
