Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination
(MPRE) Exam
Question 1. Which of the following best describes the inherent authority of the judiciary to regulate the
legal profession?
A) Derived solely from legislative statutes
B) Based on the judiciary's inherent power to oversee its own officers
C) Exclusively granted by state bar associations
D) Limited to disciplinary actions after licensure
Answer: B
Explanation: The judiciary has inherent authority to regulate the legal profession as part of its broader
powers to supervise and discipline its officers, including lawyers, to maintain the integrity of the courts
and the legal system.
Question 2. Which is a primary requirement for admission to the legal profession?
A) Passing the MPRE only
B) Demonstrating good moral character and fitness
C) Being a graduate of any college
D) Completing a mandatory internship
Answer: B
Explanation: Admission typically requires demonstrating good moral character and fitness, alongside
passing the bar exam, to ensure the applicant’s integrity and suitability for the profession.
Question 3. Which statement accurately reflects the disclosure obligations during the admission
process?
A) Applicants must disclose all criminal convictions, regardless of age
B) Applicants are only required to disclose current employment
C) Full disclosure of any past misconduct relevant to character and fitness is required
D) Disclosures are optional and at the applicant’s discretion
Answer: C
Explanation: Applicants must fully disclose any past misconduct or circumstances that could reflect on
their character and fitness to practice law, ensuring the integrity of the admission process.
, Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination
(MPRE) Exam
Question 4. Which is a common ground for lawyer discipline?
A) Failure to pay client fees on time
B) Engaging in criminal conduct that reflects adversely on honesty
C) Losing a case
D) Practicing in multiple jurisdictions
Answer: B
Explanation: Engaging in criminal conduct, especially that which reflects dishonesty or fraud, is a serious
ground for discipline, as it undermines public confidence in the profession.
Question 5. Which disciplinary sanction involves suspension or disbarment?
A) Reprimand
B) Censure
C) Disbarment or suspension
D) Probation
Answer: C
Explanation: Disbarment and suspension are the most severe sanctions, removing or temporarily
restricting a lawyer’s license to practice.
Question 6. When is a lawyer generally required to report professional misconduct?
A) Only if the misconduct results in a client complaint
B) When the misconduct raises a substantial question about the lawyer’s honesty, trustworthiness, or
fitness
C) Only if the misconduct is criminal
D) Never, as confidentiality always overrides reporting obligations
Answer: B
Explanation: Lawyers have a duty to report misconduct that raises a substantial question about a
lawyer’s honesty or fitness, even if the misconduct is not criminal or does not directly affect a client.
Question 7. Which activity by a nonlawyer constitutes the unauthorized practice of law?
A) Preparing legal documents under supervision
, Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination
(MPRE) Exam
B) Providing general legal advice without license
C) Drafting contracts for a fee without a law license
D) All of the above
Answer: D
Explanation: All these activities can constitute unauthorized practice of law if performed in an
unauthorized context, especially when they involve giving legal advice or preparing legal documents for
others.
Question 8. Which is an allowable activity for a nonlawyer under the unauthorized practice of law rules?
A) Giving legal advice in a jurisdiction where they are not licensed
B) Filing legal pleadings in court
C) Providing administrative or clerical support without giving legal advice
D) Representing clients in court
Answer: C
Explanation: Nonlawyers may perform clerical or administrative support but cannot give legal advice or
represent clients in court, as those activities constitute practicing law.
Question 9. Under multijurisdictional practice rules, which scenario permits a lawyer to practice
temporarily in a foreign jurisdiction?
A) Engaging in a permanent practice without license
B) Participating in a multi-jurisdictional legal team for a client’s matter
C) Practicing independently without any admission
D) Offering legal advice via online platform without license
Answer: B
Explanation: Temporary practice is generally permitted when a lawyer participates in a multi-
jurisdictional legal team or engages in specific activities like consultations, often under rules like pro hac
vice.
Question 10. Which practice is generally prohibited regarding fee sharing with nonlawyers?
A) Sharing fees with a nonlawyer as part of a legal services plan
, Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination
(MPRE) Exam
B) Paying a nonlawyer for referring clients
C) Both A and B
D) All of the above
Answer: C
Explanation: Fee sharing with nonlawyers is generally prohibited unless permitted under specific
exceptions, such as compensation for non-lawyer employees or legal services plans.
Question 11. Which form of legal practice involves a group of lawyers sharing profits and
responsibilities?
A) Sole proprietorship
B) Law firm partnership
C) Non-profit organization
D) Sole practice
Answer: B
Explanation: A law firm partnership involves lawyers sharing profits, responsibilities, and liabilities, and
is subject to ethical rules regarding such arrangements.
Question 12. Which is an ethical obligation of a supervising partner in a law firm?
A) Ensuring subordinate lawyers follow the Rules of Professional Conduct
B) Ignoring misconduct to avoid liability
C) Only overseeing billing practices
D) Delegating all responsibilities without oversight
Answer: A
Explanation: Supervising partners are ethically obligated to ensure that lawyers under their supervision
adhere to professional conduct rules and to take corrective action when misconduct occurs.
Question 13. Which restriction is generally placed on non-compete clauses in lawyer employment
contracts?
A) They are always enforceable
B) They are void if they unreasonably restrict a lawyer’s right to practice
(MPRE) Exam
Question 1. Which of the following best describes the inherent authority of the judiciary to regulate the
legal profession?
A) Derived solely from legislative statutes
B) Based on the judiciary's inherent power to oversee its own officers
C) Exclusively granted by state bar associations
D) Limited to disciplinary actions after licensure
Answer: B
Explanation: The judiciary has inherent authority to regulate the legal profession as part of its broader
powers to supervise and discipline its officers, including lawyers, to maintain the integrity of the courts
and the legal system.
Question 2. Which is a primary requirement for admission to the legal profession?
A) Passing the MPRE only
B) Demonstrating good moral character and fitness
C) Being a graduate of any college
D) Completing a mandatory internship
Answer: B
Explanation: Admission typically requires demonstrating good moral character and fitness, alongside
passing the bar exam, to ensure the applicant’s integrity and suitability for the profession.
Question 3. Which statement accurately reflects the disclosure obligations during the admission
process?
A) Applicants must disclose all criminal convictions, regardless of age
B) Applicants are only required to disclose current employment
C) Full disclosure of any past misconduct relevant to character and fitness is required
D) Disclosures are optional and at the applicant’s discretion
Answer: C
Explanation: Applicants must fully disclose any past misconduct or circumstances that could reflect on
their character and fitness to practice law, ensuring the integrity of the admission process.
, Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination
(MPRE) Exam
Question 4. Which is a common ground for lawyer discipline?
A) Failure to pay client fees on time
B) Engaging in criminal conduct that reflects adversely on honesty
C) Losing a case
D) Practicing in multiple jurisdictions
Answer: B
Explanation: Engaging in criminal conduct, especially that which reflects dishonesty or fraud, is a serious
ground for discipline, as it undermines public confidence in the profession.
Question 5. Which disciplinary sanction involves suspension or disbarment?
A) Reprimand
B) Censure
C) Disbarment or suspension
D) Probation
Answer: C
Explanation: Disbarment and suspension are the most severe sanctions, removing or temporarily
restricting a lawyer’s license to practice.
Question 6. When is a lawyer generally required to report professional misconduct?
A) Only if the misconduct results in a client complaint
B) When the misconduct raises a substantial question about the lawyer’s honesty, trustworthiness, or
fitness
C) Only if the misconduct is criminal
D) Never, as confidentiality always overrides reporting obligations
Answer: B
Explanation: Lawyers have a duty to report misconduct that raises a substantial question about a
lawyer’s honesty or fitness, even if the misconduct is not criminal or does not directly affect a client.
Question 7. Which activity by a nonlawyer constitutes the unauthorized practice of law?
A) Preparing legal documents under supervision
, Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination
(MPRE) Exam
B) Providing general legal advice without license
C) Drafting contracts for a fee without a law license
D) All of the above
Answer: D
Explanation: All these activities can constitute unauthorized practice of law if performed in an
unauthorized context, especially when they involve giving legal advice or preparing legal documents for
others.
Question 8. Which is an allowable activity for a nonlawyer under the unauthorized practice of law rules?
A) Giving legal advice in a jurisdiction where they are not licensed
B) Filing legal pleadings in court
C) Providing administrative or clerical support without giving legal advice
D) Representing clients in court
Answer: C
Explanation: Nonlawyers may perform clerical or administrative support but cannot give legal advice or
represent clients in court, as those activities constitute practicing law.
Question 9. Under multijurisdictional practice rules, which scenario permits a lawyer to practice
temporarily in a foreign jurisdiction?
A) Engaging in a permanent practice without license
B) Participating in a multi-jurisdictional legal team for a client’s matter
C) Practicing independently without any admission
D) Offering legal advice via online platform without license
Answer: B
Explanation: Temporary practice is generally permitted when a lawyer participates in a multi-
jurisdictional legal team or engages in specific activities like consultations, often under rules like pro hac
vice.
Question 10. Which practice is generally prohibited regarding fee sharing with nonlawyers?
A) Sharing fees with a nonlawyer as part of a legal services plan
, Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination
(MPRE) Exam
B) Paying a nonlawyer for referring clients
C) Both A and B
D) All of the above
Answer: C
Explanation: Fee sharing with nonlawyers is generally prohibited unless permitted under specific
exceptions, such as compensation for non-lawyer employees or legal services plans.
Question 11. Which form of legal practice involves a group of lawyers sharing profits and
responsibilities?
A) Sole proprietorship
B) Law firm partnership
C) Non-profit organization
D) Sole practice
Answer: B
Explanation: A law firm partnership involves lawyers sharing profits, responsibilities, and liabilities, and
is subject to ethical rules regarding such arrangements.
Question 12. Which is an ethical obligation of a supervising partner in a law firm?
A) Ensuring subordinate lawyers follow the Rules of Professional Conduct
B) Ignoring misconduct to avoid liability
C) Only overseeing billing practices
D) Delegating all responsibilities without oversight
Answer: A
Explanation: Supervising partners are ethically obligated to ensure that lawyers under their supervision
adhere to professional conduct rules and to take corrective action when misconduct occurs.
Question 13. Which restriction is generally placed on non-compete clauses in lawyer employment
contracts?
A) They are always enforceable
B) They are void if they unreasonably restrict a lawyer’s right to practice
