MPRE® Exam Prep 2026 Updated Practice
Questions, Comprehensive Legal Ethics Review
Guide Detailed Explanations, Verified Answers,
Complete Success Workbook
MPRE Content Outline
Topic Area Approximate Coverage
Regulation of the Legal Profession 10–15%
The Client-Lawyer Relationship 15–20%
Client Confidentiality 15–20%
Conflicts of Interest 12–18%
Competence & Legal Malpractice 10–15%
Litigation & Advocacy 10–15%
Judicial Conduct 5–10%
SECTION 1: REGULATION OF THE LEGAL PROFESSION (Questions 1–10)
1. Under the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct, which of the
following is the PRIMARY purpose of lawyer disciplinary proceedings?
A) To punish lawyers who violate ethical rules
B) To protect the public and maintain the integrity of the legal
,profession
C) To provide compensation to clients harmed by lawyer misconduct
D) To reduce the number of lawyers in the profession
Rationale:
• A is incorrect: While punishment may be a secondary effect, it is not
the primary purpose of disciplinary proceedings.
• B is correct: The primary purpose of lawyer disciplinary proceedings is
to protect the public and maintain the integrity of the legal
profession. Disciplinary sanctions are imposed to safeguard the public
from unfit practitioners and to uphold professional standards.
• C is incorrect: Compensation to clients is the purpose of malpractice
actions and client protection funds, not disciplinary proceedings.
• D is incorrect: Reducing the number of lawyers is not a purpose of
disciplinary proceedings.
2. A lawyer is licensed to practice in State A and State B. The lawyer is
disciplined by State A for ethical violations. Under the ABA Model Rules,
what is the lawyer's obligation regarding State B?
A) The lawyer must disclose the discipline only if State B asks.
B) The lawyer must report the discipline to State B, and State B may
impose reciprocal discipline.
C) The lawyer is not required to report the discipline to State B.
D) The discipline in State A has no effect on the lawyer's license in State B.
Rationale:
• A is incorrect: The obligation to report discipline is generally proactive,
not merely reactive.
• B is correct: Under the ABA Model Rules and the principle
of reciprocal discipline, a lawyer disciplined in one jurisdiction
must report the discipline to other jurisdictions where they are
licensed. The other jurisdiction may then impose reciprocal discipline
based on the original sanction.
, • C is incorrect: Reporting is generally required.
• D is incorrect: Discipline in one jurisdiction can affect a lawyer's
license in another jurisdiction through reciprocal discipline.
3. Which of the following is NOT a sanction available in lawyer
disciplinary proceedings?
A) Disbarment
B) Suspension
C) Monetary damages to the client
D) Public censure
Rationale:
• A is incorrect: Disbarment is a common disciplinary sanction.
• B is incorrect: Suspension is a common disciplinary sanction.
• C is correct: Monetary damages to the client are not a disciplinary
sanction. Disciplinary proceedings impose sanctions such as
disbarment, suspension, public censure, and probation. Monetary
compensation to clients is handled through malpractice actions or client
protection funds.
• D is incorrect: Public censure is a common disciplinary sanction.
4. Under the ABA Model Rules, a lawyer who is the subject of a
disciplinary investigation must:
A) Waive the attorney-client privilege
B) Cooperate with the disciplinary authority's investigation
C) Refuse to respond to any questions
D) Immediately resign from the practice of law
Rationale:
• A is incorrect: Lawyers are not required to waive the attorney-client
privilege.
, • B is correct: Under the Model Rules, lawyers have a duty to cooperate
with disciplinary authorities in their investigations. Failure to
cooperate can itself be a basis for discipline.
• C is incorrect: Refusing to respond may constitute non-cooperation.
• D is incorrect: Resignation is not required.
5. A lawyer is admitted to practice in State X but has never practiced
there. The lawyer's practice is exclusively in State Y, where the lawyer is
also admitted. The lawyer is disciplined in State Y. Which of the
following is TRUE regarding State X?
A) State X must automatically disbar the lawyer.
B) State X may impose reciprocal discipline based on the State Y
sanction.
C) State X has no jurisdiction over the lawyer.
D) The lawyer must reapply for admission in State X.
Rationale:
• A is incorrect: Reciprocal discipline is not automatic; State X must
follow its own procedures.
• B is correct: A lawyer admitted in multiple jurisdictions is subject to
discipline in all jurisdictions where admitted. State X may impose
reciprocal discipline based on the State Y sanction, even if the lawyer
never practiced in State X.
• C is incorrect: State X has jurisdiction because the lawyer is admitted
there.
• D is incorrect: The lawyer does not need to reapply; the existing license
is subject to discipline.
6. A lawyer is a member of the state bar and serves as a state legislator.
The lawyer introduces a bill that would benefit a client. Under the ABA
Model Rules, which statement is TRUE?
Questions, Comprehensive Legal Ethics Review
Guide Detailed Explanations, Verified Answers,
Complete Success Workbook
MPRE Content Outline
Topic Area Approximate Coverage
Regulation of the Legal Profession 10–15%
The Client-Lawyer Relationship 15–20%
Client Confidentiality 15–20%
Conflicts of Interest 12–18%
Competence & Legal Malpractice 10–15%
Litigation & Advocacy 10–15%
Judicial Conduct 5–10%
SECTION 1: REGULATION OF THE LEGAL PROFESSION (Questions 1–10)
1. Under the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct, which of the
following is the PRIMARY purpose of lawyer disciplinary proceedings?
A) To punish lawyers who violate ethical rules
B) To protect the public and maintain the integrity of the legal
,profession
C) To provide compensation to clients harmed by lawyer misconduct
D) To reduce the number of lawyers in the profession
Rationale:
• A is incorrect: While punishment may be a secondary effect, it is not
the primary purpose of disciplinary proceedings.
• B is correct: The primary purpose of lawyer disciplinary proceedings is
to protect the public and maintain the integrity of the legal
profession. Disciplinary sanctions are imposed to safeguard the public
from unfit practitioners and to uphold professional standards.
• C is incorrect: Compensation to clients is the purpose of malpractice
actions and client protection funds, not disciplinary proceedings.
• D is incorrect: Reducing the number of lawyers is not a purpose of
disciplinary proceedings.
2. A lawyer is licensed to practice in State A and State B. The lawyer is
disciplined by State A for ethical violations. Under the ABA Model Rules,
what is the lawyer's obligation regarding State B?
A) The lawyer must disclose the discipline only if State B asks.
B) The lawyer must report the discipline to State B, and State B may
impose reciprocal discipline.
C) The lawyer is not required to report the discipline to State B.
D) The discipline in State A has no effect on the lawyer's license in State B.
Rationale:
• A is incorrect: The obligation to report discipline is generally proactive,
not merely reactive.
• B is correct: Under the ABA Model Rules and the principle
of reciprocal discipline, a lawyer disciplined in one jurisdiction
must report the discipline to other jurisdictions where they are
licensed. The other jurisdiction may then impose reciprocal discipline
based on the original sanction.
, • C is incorrect: Reporting is generally required.
• D is incorrect: Discipline in one jurisdiction can affect a lawyer's
license in another jurisdiction through reciprocal discipline.
3. Which of the following is NOT a sanction available in lawyer
disciplinary proceedings?
A) Disbarment
B) Suspension
C) Monetary damages to the client
D) Public censure
Rationale:
• A is incorrect: Disbarment is a common disciplinary sanction.
• B is incorrect: Suspension is a common disciplinary sanction.
• C is correct: Monetary damages to the client are not a disciplinary
sanction. Disciplinary proceedings impose sanctions such as
disbarment, suspension, public censure, and probation. Monetary
compensation to clients is handled through malpractice actions or client
protection funds.
• D is incorrect: Public censure is a common disciplinary sanction.
4. Under the ABA Model Rules, a lawyer who is the subject of a
disciplinary investigation must:
A) Waive the attorney-client privilege
B) Cooperate with the disciplinary authority's investigation
C) Refuse to respond to any questions
D) Immediately resign from the practice of law
Rationale:
• A is incorrect: Lawyers are not required to waive the attorney-client
privilege.
, • B is correct: Under the Model Rules, lawyers have a duty to cooperate
with disciplinary authorities in their investigations. Failure to
cooperate can itself be a basis for discipline.
• C is incorrect: Refusing to respond may constitute non-cooperation.
• D is incorrect: Resignation is not required.
5. A lawyer is admitted to practice in State X but has never practiced
there. The lawyer's practice is exclusively in State Y, where the lawyer is
also admitted. The lawyer is disciplined in State Y. Which of the
following is TRUE regarding State X?
A) State X must automatically disbar the lawyer.
B) State X may impose reciprocal discipline based on the State Y
sanction.
C) State X has no jurisdiction over the lawyer.
D) The lawyer must reapply for admission in State X.
Rationale:
• A is incorrect: Reciprocal discipline is not automatic; State X must
follow its own procedures.
• B is correct: A lawyer admitted in multiple jurisdictions is subject to
discipline in all jurisdictions where admitted. State X may impose
reciprocal discipline based on the State Y sanction, even if the lawyer
never practiced in State X.
• C is incorrect: State X has jurisdiction because the lawyer is admitted
there.
• D is incorrect: The lawyer does not need to reapply; the existing license
is subject to discipline.
6. A lawyer is a member of the state bar and serves as a state legislator.
The lawyer introduces a bill that would benefit a client. Under the ABA
Model Rules, which statement is TRUE?
