Certified Legal Professional (CLP) Practice Exam

What is true regarding leading legal ethics experts and the teaching of legal ethics?

1. They have always believed that legal ethics could be taught

2. Research finds that law students' altruism decreases during law school

3. Bar associations have always required law schools to provide training in legal ethics

4. Leading legal ethics experts have not always believed that legal ethics could be taught

The correct answer is: They have always believed that legal ethics could be taught

The assertion that leading legal ethics experts have always believed that legal ethics could be taught lacks nuance and does not account for historical shifts in perspective. Over the years, there has been considerable debate among legal scholars and practitioners regarding whether ethical behavior can be effectively taught. Some experts argue that ethics education can instill a sense of professionalism, while others maintain that ethical behavior is more a matter of personal conviction and character, shaped by real-world experiences rather than formal instruction. In contrast, evidence supporting the idea that research finds law students’ altruism decreases during law school is well-documented. Studies have shown that as students progress through their legal education, they often become more cynical, which raises important questions about the impact of legal education on ethical behavior. Furthermore, the requirement for law schools to provide training in legal ethics by bar associations has evolved over time. While many bar associations now mandate ethics training, this requirement has not been a constant throughout the history of legal education. The option stating that leading legal ethics experts have not always believed that legal ethics could be taught highlights a significant perspective within the field. It acknowledges the diversity of thought regarding the teachability of ethics and recognizes the ongoing dialogue surrounding the effectiveness of ethics education in law schools. This choice reflects a more realistic