NALA Certified Paralegal Practice Exam

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Prepare to ace the NALA Certified Paralegal Exam with our comprehensive quiz. Engage with multiple-choice questions and enrich your understanding through hints and thorough explanations. Get ready to take your paralegal career to the next level!

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What ethical rule has attorney Barnes violated by making himself the sole beneficiary of a client's will?

The client confidentiality rule
The attorney-client privilege
The duty of competence
The conflict of interest rule

The correct answer is: The conflict of interest rule

Attorney Barnes has violated the conflict of interest rule by making himself the sole beneficiary of a client's will. It is unethical for an attorney to put their own interests above those of their client, and by doing so, Barnes has created a clear conflict of interest. Option A, the client confidentiality rule, is incorrect because this rule pertains to the protection of a client's personal and sensitive information, not their estate or will decisions. Option B, the attorney-client privilege, is incorrect because this rule pertains to the confidentiality of communication between an attorney and their client, again not the same issue as the question. Option C, the duty of competence, is incorrect because this rule pertains to an attorney's ability to provide competent and diligent representation, not their personal involvement in a client's legal matters. Therefore, the most accurate answer is D, the conflict of interest rule.