Public Interest Law Ethics

Description: This quiz covers ethical considerations in public interest law, including conflicts of interest, confidentiality, and the duty to advocate for clients.
Number of Questions: 5
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Tags: public interest law legal ethics conflicts of interest confidentiality duty to advocate
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Which of the following is NOT a potential conflict of interest for a public interest lawyer?

  1. Representing clients with opposing interests.

  2. Accepting a fee from a client who is also a donor to the lawyer's organization.

  3. Representing a client in a case against a former client.

  4. Representing a client in a case against a government agency that is a major funder of the lawyer's organization.


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Accepting a fee from a client who is also a donor to the lawyer's organization is not a conflict of interest because the lawyer is not representing the donor in the case.

What is the duty of confidentiality for a public interest lawyer?

  1. To keep all information about a client confidential, even if the client consents to its disclosure.

  2. To keep all information about a client confidential, unless the lawyer is required by law to disclose it.

  3. To keep all information about a client confidential, unless the lawyer believes that disclosure is necessary to prevent harm to the client or others.

  4. To keep all information about a client confidential, unless the lawyer believes that disclosure is necessary to advance the public interest.


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The duty of confidentiality for a public interest lawyer is to keep all information about a client confidential, unless the lawyer is required by law to disclose it.

What is the duty to advocate for clients for a public interest lawyer?

  1. To zealously advocate for the client's interests, even if the lawyer believes that the client's position is wrong.

  2. To zealously advocate for the client's interests, unless the lawyer believes that the client's position is frivolous.

  3. To zealously advocate for the client's interests, unless the lawyer believes that the client's position is harmful to the public interest.

  4. To zealously advocate for the client's interests, unless the lawyer believes that the client's position is illegal.


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The duty to advocate for clients for a public interest lawyer is to zealously advocate for the client's interests, unless the lawyer believes that the client's position is frivolous.

Which of the following is NOT a potential ethical issue for a public interest lawyer who is representing a client in a class action lawsuit?

  1. The lawyer may have a conflict of interest if the lawyer also represents other clients who are members of the class.

  2. The lawyer may have a duty to disclose to the court any information that the lawyer learns about the class members that could be harmful to their interests.

  3. The lawyer may have a duty to withdraw from the case if the lawyer believes that the class action is not in the best interests of the class members.

  4. The lawyer may have a duty to settle the case even if the lawyer believes that the settlement is not fair to the class members.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

A public interest lawyer does not have a duty to settle a case even if the lawyer believes that the settlement is not fair to the class members.

Which of the following is NOT a potential ethical issue for a public interest lawyer who is representing a client in a criminal case?

  1. The lawyer may have a conflict of interest if the lawyer also represents other clients who are charged with the same crime.

  2. The lawyer may have a duty to disclose to the court any information that the lawyer learns about the client that could be harmful to the client's case.

  3. The lawyer may have a duty to withdraw from the case if the lawyer believes that the client is guilty of the crime.

  4. The lawyer may have a duty to advise the client to plead guilty even if the lawyer believes that the client is innocent.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

A public interest lawyer does not have a duty to advise the client to plead guilty even if the lawyer believes that the client is innocent.

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