Certified Legal Professional (CLP) Practice Exam

What ethical obligation did the attorney have regarding the biased judge's behavior?

1. Notify the judge directly

2. Inform the appropriate disciplinary authorities

3. Protect the judge's reputation

4. Advise the judge on her conduct

The correct answer is: Inform the appropriate disciplinary authorities

The attorney's ethical obligation in this scenario is to inform the appropriate disciplinary authorities about the biased judge's behavior. This action aligns with the professional responsibility of attorneys to uphold the integrity of the legal system. When a judge exhibits bias, it can undermine the fairness of judicial proceedings, which poses a significant risk to the rule of law and the rights of individuals involved in cases before the court. Ethical rules, such as those established by the American Bar Association, typically require attorneys to report known violations of professional conduct by judges or other lawyers. By reporting the misconduct, the attorney ensures that the judge's behavior is investigated, which is essential to maintaining the public's trust in the judiciary and ensuring that justice is administered fairly. While notifying the judge directly, protecting the judge’s reputation, or advising the judge on her conduct may seem like avenues of action, they do not have the same effectiveness in addressing potential harm to the legal process and preserving the ethical standards required of judges. These alternatives fall short because they do not lead to accountability for the judge’s actions or contribute to the overall integrity of the judicial system. Therefore, informing the appropriate disciplinary authorities is the most responsible and ethical step for the attorney to take in this situation.