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MPRE (Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam
1 ) 2025 Questions And Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationales
- An attorney learns that their client intends to commit perjury during trial testimony. What is the attorney’s ethical duty? A. Allow the client to testify as planned. B. Withdraw from representation immediately. C. Take reasonable remedial measures, including disclosure if necessary. D. Do nothing because of attorney-client privilege. Answer: C A lawyer must take reasonable remedial measures, including disclosure to the tribunal if necessary, to prevent or rectify client fraud on the court, even if it means revealing confidential information.
- Which of the following is true about an attorney advertising their services? A. Attorneys may make false or misleading statements. B. Attorneys may claim they can guarantee case results. C. Attorneys may advertise truthful, non-misleading information. D. Attorneys may pay clients for referrals. Answer: C
Attorneys are allowed to advertise as long as the information is truthful and not misleading; false guarantees are prohibited.
- An attorney represents multiple clients whose interests conflict but gives informed consent in writing. Is this permissible? A. Yes, if the clients provide informed consent confirmed in writing. B. No, conflicts of interest are always prohibited. C. Yes, even without client consent. D. No, if any conflict exists, withdrawal is mandatory. Answer: A A lawyer may represent clients with conflicting interests if they reasonably believe they can provide competent representation and each client gives informed consent confirmed in writing.
- Which scenario violates the rules on fees? A. Charging a reasonable hourly rate. B. Charging an unreasonable fee. C. Entering into a contingent fee agreement in a civil case. D. Explaining fees clearly to the client in writing. Answer: B A lawyer must not charge or collect an unreasonable fee. Fees must be reasonable under the circumstances.
D. To gossip with other attorneys. Answer: B A lawyer may disclose confidential information to prevent reasonably certain death or substantial bodily harm.
- Which of the following is prohibited in lawyer communications? A. Truthful direct mail solicitations. B. In-person solicitation of a non-lawyer for profit. C. Advertising on a website. D. Truthful TV advertising. Answer: B Lawyers are prohibited from soliciting professional employment in person for pecuniary gain unless the recipient is another lawyer or family member.
- A judge is a close friend of an attorney appearing before them. What should the judge do? A. Disclose the friendship and recuse if necessary. B. Automatically rule in favor of the friend. C. Hide the relationship. D. Ignore the conflict. Answer: A Judges must disclose any relationships that could create a conflict of interest and recuse themselves if impartiality might reasonably be questioned.
10.Which is true about safekeeping client funds? A. Lawyers may commingle client funds with personal funds. B. Lawyers must keep client funds in a separate trust account. C. Lawyers may borrow from client trust accounts. D. Lawyers may invest client funds in the stock market. Answer: B Lawyers must keep client funds separate from their own funds in a designated trust account. 11.Which situation creates a conflict of interest? A. Representing two co-defendants in a minor traffic case. B. Representing a client in a lawsuit against a former client on the same matter. C. Representing a client in a civil case. D. Representing a client in a criminal matter. Answer: B A lawyer must not represent a client against a former client in the same or substantially related matter without informed consent. 12.A lawyer receives an inadvertent email from opposing counsel containing privileged information. What should the lawyer do? A. Read the entire email immediately. B. Forward it to the client.
15.Which statement is true about fees paid to non-lawyers? A. A lawyer may split fees with a non-lawyer. B. A lawyer may pay referral fees to non-lawyers. C. A lawyer may not share legal fees with non-lawyers. D. A lawyer must always split fees equally with staff. Answer: C Lawyers may not share legal fees with non-lawyers except in very narrow circumstances such as paying salaries or retirement benefits. 16.A lawyer learns their client has lied to them about key facts. What is required? A. The lawyer must continue representation without question. B. The lawyer must withdraw if continued representation would violate the rules. C. The lawyer must disclose the lie to the opposing party. D. The lawyer must file a complaint with the bar. Answer: B A lawyer must withdraw if continued representation would result in a violation of the rules. 17.Which is an example of a prohibited contingency fee? A. In a personal injury case. B. In a divorce case. C. In a breach of contract case.
D. In a tort case. Answer: B Contingency fees are prohibited in domestic relations matters and criminal cases. 18.What duty does a prosecutor have? A. To secure a conviction at any cost. B. To seek justice. C. To represent victims directly. D. To withhold exculpatory evidence. Answer: B A prosecutor’s primary duty is to seek justice, not merely to convict. 19.An attorney learns that opposing counsel is incompetent. What is the attorney’s duty? A. Report the incompetence to the bar if it affects the case. B. Take advantage of the incompetence. C. Do nothing. D. Represent the other side too. Answer: A Lawyers have a duty to report substantial misconduct or incompetence of another lawyer if it raises a substantial question about their fitness to practice law.
confidential information. C. If the former client doesn't object. D. Only with court approval. Answer: B A lawyer may represent a new client against a former client if the new matter is not the same or substantially related and there is no risk of using the former client's confidential information. 23.Which of the following is considered professional misconduct? A. Representing a client zealously. B. Making a good-faith argument for legal change. C. Committing a criminal act that reflects adversely on honesty or fitness. D. Accepting court appointments. Answer: C Criminal acts involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation reflect adversely on a lawyer's fitness and constitute professional misconduct. 24.A lawyer is asked to serve as both advocate and witness in a client’s case. What should the lawyer do? A. Proceed without issue. B. Decline representation unless the testimony is uncontested or relates to legal services. C. Charge extra for the dual role.
D. Ask opposing counsel for permission. Answer: B A lawyer may not act as advocate at a trial in which they are likely to be a necessary witness unless the testimony relates to uncontested issues or legal services rendered. 25.A lawyer receives a gift from a client in a will. What is ethically required? A. Nothing. B. Accept the gift without question. C. Ensure that the client is independently represented. D. Offer to split the gift with opposing counsel. Answer: C A lawyer must not solicit a substantial gift from a client, including a testamentary gift, unless the client is related or independently represented. 26.May a lawyer disclose a client’s intention to commit a future crime? A. No, never. B. Only if it involves legal malpractice. C. Yes, if it’s likely to result in death or substantial bodily harm. D. Only with court approval. Answer: C A lawyer may reveal confidential information to prevent a client from committing a future crime that is likely to result in death or substantial bodily harm.
B. Report it only if it affects their own case. C. Report it if it raises a substantial question about honesty or fitness. D. Sue the opposing counsel. Answer: C Lawyers have a duty to report misconduct of another lawyer if it raises a substantial question regarding that lawyer's honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness as a lawyer. 30.What is the ethical rule regarding frivolous claims? A. All claims are permitted. B. Frivolous claims are allowed if a client insists. C. Lawyers must not bring or defend frivolous claims. D. Frivolous claims are okay in criminal defense. Answer: C A lawyer must not bring or defend a proceeding or issue unless there is a basis in law and fact for doing so that is not frivolous. 31.Which of the following must a lawyer avoid in communications about a case? A. Statements supported by admissible evidence. B. Truthful information that does not prejudice proceedings. C. Statements likely to materially prejudice the case. D. Public court filings. Answer: C
A lawyer must not make extrajudicial statements that are likely to materially prejudice an adjudicative proceeding. 32.May a lawyer pay a non-expert witness for testifying? A. Yes, always. B. No, never. C. Yes, for reasonable expenses and lost time, not for testimony itself. D. Only if approved by the judge. Answer: C A lawyer may pay a non-expert witness for reasonable expenses incurred and compensation for time lost, but not for the content of their testimony. 33.May a lawyer contact a represented party directly? A. Yes, to save time. B. Only with the other lawyer’s consent. C. Yes, if the client consents. D. Only by phone. Answer: B A lawyer must not communicate about a matter with a represented person unless the other lawyer consents or the law authorizes it. 34.A lawyer suspects that a client is using their services to commit fraud. What should the lawyer do? A. Ignore it.
Answer: C A lawyer must not knowingly offer evidence that they know to be false. 37.When may a lawyer reveal information about a former client? A. Never, under any circumstances. B. Only with court approval. C. If the information has become generally known. D. If the lawyer thinks it’s helpful to a new client. Answer: C A lawyer may reveal former client information if the information has become generally known. 38.Which situation is most likely to trigger mandatory withdrawal? A. A client fails to return phone calls. B. The representation will result in violation of the rules. C. The client requests frequent updates. D. The lawyer dislikes the client. Answer: B A lawyer must withdraw from representation if continuing would result in violation of the rules or other law. 39.May a lawyer limit the scope of representation? A. No, full representation is always required. B. Yes, if the limitation is reasonable and the client gives informed consent.
C. Only with a court order. D. Only if the client is indigent. Answer: B A lawyer may limit the scope of representation if the limitation is reasonable under the circumstances and the client gives informed consent. 40.What is the duty of confidentiality? A. Only protects written communication. B. Only applies in court. C. Covers all information relating to the representation. D. Is the same as attorney-client privilege. Answer: C The duty of confidentiality applies to all information relating to the representation, regardless of the source or context. 41.Can a lawyer be disciplined for private misconduct? A. No, only professional conduct matters. B. Yes, if the conduct reflects adversely on the lawyer’s fitness. C. No, unless a crime was committed. D. Only if it affects a client. Answer: B A lawyer may be disciplined for private conduct if it involves dishonesty or reflects adversely on their fitness to practice law.
C. No, such statements are misleading. D. Only for settlements. Answer: C Guaranteeing outcomes is misleading and violates the ethics rules on attorney advertising. 45.A client insists on a strategy the lawyer finds repugnant. What should the lawyer do? A. Follow instructions blindly. B. Withdraw if permitted. C. Leak the information. D. Ignore the client. Answer: B A lawyer may withdraw from representation if the client insists on pursuing a course of action the lawyer finds repugnant or fundamentally disagrees with. 46.May a lawyer instruct a client to be evasive during deposition? A. Yes, if helpful. B. Only if opposing counsel is rude. C. No, this violates the duty of fairness. D. Yes, as long as it's not recorded. Answer: C
A lawyer must not counsel or assist a client to engage in evasive or dishonest conduct during legal proceedings. 47.A lawyer is appointed to represent an unpopular client. What must the lawyer do? A. Refuse the case. B. Accept unless there’s good cause to decline. C. Publicly criticize the client. D. Delegate to an assistant. Answer: B A lawyer must not seek to avoid appointment by a tribunal except for good cause, such as inability to represent the client competently. 48.Is sexual conduct with a client ethically prohibited? A. Never prohibited. B. Always prohibited. C. Prohibited unless a consensual relationship existed prior to representation. D. Only prohibited in family law. Answer: C Sexual relationships with clients are generally prohibited unless a consensual relationship existed before the legal representation began.
