ABA 1 STUDY GUIDE 2026 TEST PAPER
QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
●● 1.0(e).
Answer: informed consent: agreement by person to conduct after lawyer
gives adequate info and explains mat risks / reas. alternatives
●● 1.1: Client-Lawyer relationships.
Answer: A lawyer shall provide competent representation to a client.
Competent representation requires legal knowledge, skill, thoroughness
and preparation reasonably necesssary for representation
●● 1.2: Scope of Representation and Allocation of Authority Between
Client and Lawyer.
Answer: (a) abide by C's decision for obj. of rep, per 1.4 consult w/ C
for means to accomplish. Must listen for when to settle
crim: client's decision to settle/ waive J trial, if C wants to testify
(b) rep ≠ endorsement of the client's political, economic, social or moral
views or activities.
,(c): may limit the scope of the rep if the limitation is reas under the circ
and the client gives informed consent.
(d) no counsel a C to engage/ assist a C, in conduct that the lawyer
knows is criminal or fraudulent,
but a lawyer may discuss the legal consequences of conduct with C and
may counsel or assist a client to make a good faith effort to determine
the validity, scope, meaning or application of the law.
●● 1.3: Diligence.
Answer: A lawyer shall act with reasonable diligence and promptness in
representing a client.
●● 1.4: Communication.
Answer: A lawyer shall:
1. promplty inform the client of any decision or circumstance with
respect to which the client's informed consent is required.
2. reasonably consult.. about the means by which the client's objectives
are to be accomplished.
3. keep the client reasonably informed about the status of the matter
,4. promptly comply with reasonable requests for information;
5. consult with the client about any relevant limitation on the lawyer's
conduct when the lawyer knows that the client expects assistance not
permitted by the Rules of Professional Conduct or other law.
(b) A lawyer shall explain a matter to the extent reasonably necesssary to
permit the client to make informed decisions regarding representation.
●● 1.5: Fees.
Answer: (a) A lawyer shall not make agreement for, charge, or collect
unreasonable fee or an unreasonable amount for expenses. Non-
exclusive factors:
1. the time and labor, the novelty and difficulty , and the skill;
2. the liklihood, the acceptance will preclude other employment;
3. fee charged in the locality for similar services;
4. amount involved / results obtained;
5. time limit imposed by the client / by circ;
6. nature / length of prof. rel with client;
7. the exp., rep., and ability of the lawyer or lawyers performing the
service; and
8. fee is fixed or contingent?
●● 1.5(b):.
, Answer: scope of rep, basis/rate of fees& expenses must be
communicated, preferb. in writing, before /w/in reas. period of time after
commencing rep. (cept. when lawyer will charge same rate) Any change
must tell client.
●● 1.5(c).
Answer: may have contingent fee unless prohibted by law OR 1.5(d)
(crim /DR exceptions).
must be sgined by the client, method to determine, percentage, deduct
expenses before or after contingent fee
must clearly notify client of fees which will be deducted
must give 'final accountin'
●● 1.5(d).
Answer: 1.5(d) A lawyer shall not enter into an arrangement for, charge,
or collect:
(1) any fee in a domestic relations matter, the payment or amount of
which is contingent
(2) a contingent fee for representing a defendant in a criminal case.
QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
●● 1.0(e).
Answer: informed consent: agreement by person to conduct after lawyer
gives adequate info and explains mat risks / reas. alternatives
●● 1.1: Client-Lawyer relationships.
Answer: A lawyer shall provide competent representation to a client.
Competent representation requires legal knowledge, skill, thoroughness
and preparation reasonably necesssary for representation
●● 1.2: Scope of Representation and Allocation of Authority Between
Client and Lawyer.
Answer: (a) abide by C's decision for obj. of rep, per 1.4 consult w/ C
for means to accomplish. Must listen for when to settle
crim: client's decision to settle/ waive J trial, if C wants to testify
(b) rep ≠ endorsement of the client's political, economic, social or moral
views or activities.
,(c): may limit the scope of the rep if the limitation is reas under the circ
and the client gives informed consent.
(d) no counsel a C to engage/ assist a C, in conduct that the lawyer
knows is criminal or fraudulent,
but a lawyer may discuss the legal consequences of conduct with C and
may counsel or assist a client to make a good faith effort to determine
the validity, scope, meaning or application of the law.
●● 1.3: Diligence.
Answer: A lawyer shall act with reasonable diligence and promptness in
representing a client.
●● 1.4: Communication.
Answer: A lawyer shall:
1. promplty inform the client of any decision or circumstance with
respect to which the client's informed consent is required.
2. reasonably consult.. about the means by which the client's objectives
are to be accomplished.
3. keep the client reasonably informed about the status of the matter
,4. promptly comply with reasonable requests for information;
5. consult with the client about any relevant limitation on the lawyer's
conduct when the lawyer knows that the client expects assistance not
permitted by the Rules of Professional Conduct or other law.
(b) A lawyer shall explain a matter to the extent reasonably necesssary to
permit the client to make informed decisions regarding representation.
●● 1.5: Fees.
Answer: (a) A lawyer shall not make agreement for, charge, or collect
unreasonable fee or an unreasonable amount for expenses. Non-
exclusive factors:
1. the time and labor, the novelty and difficulty , and the skill;
2. the liklihood, the acceptance will preclude other employment;
3. fee charged in the locality for similar services;
4. amount involved / results obtained;
5. time limit imposed by the client / by circ;
6. nature / length of prof. rel with client;
7. the exp., rep., and ability of the lawyer or lawyers performing the
service; and
8. fee is fixed or contingent?
●● 1.5(b):.
, Answer: scope of rep, basis/rate of fees& expenses must be
communicated, preferb. in writing, before /w/in reas. period of time after
commencing rep. (cept. when lawyer will charge same rate) Any change
must tell client.
●● 1.5(c).
Answer: may have contingent fee unless prohibted by law OR 1.5(d)
(crim /DR exceptions).
must be sgined by the client, method to determine, percentage, deduct
expenses before or after contingent fee
must clearly notify client of fees which will be deducted
must give 'final accountin'
●● 1.5(d).
Answer: 1.5(d) A lawyer shall not enter into an arrangement for, charge,
or collect:
(1) any fee in a domestic relations matter, the payment or amount of
which is contingent
(2) a contingent fee for representing a defendant in a criminal case.
