Practice Test Geeks(CP) California Certified Paralegal Practice Test
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CP Ethics & Professional Responsibility Flashcards

6 cards from real CP practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 6 CP Ethics & Professional Responsibility flashcards as text

  1. Which ethical rule most directly prohibits a California paralegal from splitting fees with an attorney based on case outcomes?

    Answer: California Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.5

    Rule 1.5 of the California Rules of Professional Conduct governs attorney fees and prohibits fee-splitting arrangements that would give non-attorneys a stake in legal fees.

  2. A paralegal's supervisor asks them to backdate a contract to avoid a statute-of-limitations problem. The paralegal should:

    Answer: Refuse and explain that backdating is fraudulent and potentially criminal

    Backdating a document to deceive a court or parties is fraud; a paralegal must refuse to participate in illegal or unethical conduct regardless of supervisor pressure.

  3. Under California law, which entity has authority to discipline an attorney whose paralegal engages in misconduct under the attorney's supervision?

    Answer: The State Bar of California

    The State Bar of California can discipline a supervising attorney for the misconduct of supervised non-lawyer staff, including paralegals.

  4. Which of the following actions would constitute a conflict of interest requiring a California paralegal's disqualification from a matter?

    Answer: Working on a case adverse to a former client whose confidential information the paralegal possesses

    A paralegal must be screened from matters adverse to former clients if they possess material confidential information from prior representation.

  5. The 'Chinese wall' or ethical screen in a law firm is primarily designed to:

    Answer: Isolate a conflicted paralegal or attorney from a matter to prevent disclosure of confidential information

    An ethical screen (Chinese wall) prevents a conflicted legal professional from accessing files, communications, or information related to a conflicted matter.

  6. California's § 6450 definition of 'paralegal' expressly excludes which of the following?

    Answer: Secretaries who also perform law-related tasks but are not designated as paralegals

    Administrative staff who occasionally assist with legal tasks but are not formally designated as paralegals fall outside the statutory definition of paralegal under § 6450.