Certified Legal Professional (CLP) Practice Exam

Which element is not part of the dominant conception of the lawyer's role?

1. Role morality

2. The public good

3. Extreme partisanship

4. Moral non accountability

The correct answer is: The public good

The dominant conception of the lawyer's role traditionally emphasizes the responsibilities and ethical obligations a lawyer has to their clients and society. This includes maintaining role morality, which encompasses the ethical standards and duties lawyers must adhere to, often prioritizing client interests while balancing the public good and the administration of justice. The correct answer pertains to the public good, which, although important, is not considered a core part of the dominant conception of a lawyer's role in terms of advocacy. While lawyers may contribute to the public good through their work, their primary obligation is to advocate for their clients, sometimes leading to a tension between client interests and broader societal implications. Role morality is intrinsic to determining how lawyers should act within their professional capacity, whereas extreme partisanship and moral non-accountability refer to attitudes or behaviors that can arise within the legal profession but are not foundational principles of the role itself. The focus remains on the ethical duty of the lawyer to represent their client effectively and vigorously, which may sometimes conflict with serving the public good.