2006 Exam in Legal Ethics and Practical Exercises

1. Law Profession, Officer of the Court

1. Why is law a profession and not a trade? 2.5%

2. Why is an attorney considered an officer of the court? 2.5%

2. Practicing Lawyer, Trial Lawyer, Law Student

1. Is there a distinction between “practicing lawyer” and “trial lawyer”? 2.5%

2. Enumerate the instances when a law student may appear in court as counsel for a litigant. 2.5%

3. Suspended Lawyer

1. The Supreme Court suspended indefinitely Atty. Fernandez from the practice of law for gross immorality. He asked the Municipal Circuit Trial Court Judge of his town if he can be appointed counsel de oficio for Tony, a childhood friend who is accused of theft. The judge refused because Atty. Fernandez’s name appears in the Supreme Court’s List of Suspended Lawyers. Atty. Fernandez then inquired if he can appear as a friend for Tony to defend him.

If you were the judge, will you authorize him to appear in your court as a friend for Tony? 5%

2. Supposing Tony is a defendant in a civil case for collection of sum of money before the same court, can Atty. Fernandez appear for him to conduct his litigation? 5%

4. Senior Citizen Lawyer

Atty. Oldie, 80 years old, refuses to pay his IBP dues. He argues he is a senior citizen and semi-retired from the practice of law. Therefore, he should be exempt from paying IBP dues.

1. Is his argument correct? 3%

For the same reasons, Atty. Oldie also insists that he should be exempt from the Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) requirements.

2. Should he be exempt? 3%

5. Exorbitant Appearance Fees

Myrna, petitioner in a case for custody of children against her husband, sought advice from Atty. Mendoza whom she met at a party. She informed Atty. Mendoza that her lawyer, Atty. Khan, has been charging her exorbitant appearance fees when all he does is move for postponements which have unduly delayed the proceedings; and that recently, she learned that Atty. Khan approached her husband asking for a huge amount in exchange for the withdrawal of her Motion for Issuance of Hold Departure Order so that he and his children can leave for abroad.

1. Is it ethical for Atty. Mendoza to advise Myrna to terminate the services of Atty. Khan and hire him instead for a reasonable attorney’s fees? 5%

2. What should Atty. Mendoza do about the information relayed to him by Myrna that Atty. Khan approached her husband with an indecent proposal? 5%

7. Ignorant of the Applicable Laws

In his petition for certiorari filed with the Supreme Court, Atty. Dizon alleged that Atty. Padilla, a legal researcher in the Court of Appeals, drafted the assailed Decision; that he is ignorant of the applicable laws; and that he should be disbarred.

Can Atty. Dizon, in castigating Atty. Padilla, be held liable for unethical conduct against the Court of Appeals? 5%

7. Does Not Believe in the Position of the Client

Provincial Prosecutor Bonifacio refused to represent the Municipality of San Vicente in a case for collection of taxes. He explained that he cannot handle the case with sincerity and industry because he does not believe in the position taken by the municipality.

Can Prosecutor Bonifacio be sanctioned administratively? 5%

8. Prosecutor Failed to Reappear in Family Court

Prosecutor Coronel entered his appearance on behalf of the State before a Family Court in a case for declaration of nullity of marriage, but he failed to appear in all the subsequent proceedings.

When required by the Department of Justice to explain, he argued that the parties in the case were ably represented by their respective counsels and that his time would be better employed in more substantial prosecutorial functions, such as investigations, inquests and appearances in court hearings.

Is Atty. Coronel’s explanation tenable? 5%

9. Acquiescence

Atty. Marie consulted Atty. Hernandez whether she can successfully prosecute her case for declaration of nullity of marriage she intends to file against her husband. Atty. Hernandez advised her in writing that the case will not prosper for the reasons stated therein. Atty. Marie, however, decided to file the case and engaged the services of another lawyer, Atty. Pe. Her husband, Noel, having learned about the opinion of Atty. Hernandez, hired him as his lawyer.

Is Atty. Hernandez’s acquiescence to be Noel’s counsel ethical? 3%

10. Attorney-Client Privilege

In the course of a drinking spree with Atty. Holgado who has always been his counsel in business deals, Simon bragged about his recent sexual adventures with socialites known for their expensive tastes. When Atty. Holgado asked Simon how he manages to finance his escapades, the latter answered that he has been using the bank deposits of rich clients of Banco Filipino where he works as manager.

Is Simon’s revelation to Atty. Holgado covered by the attorney-client privilege? 5%

11. Contingent Fee

The contract of attorney’s fees entered into by Atty. Quintos and his client, Susan, stipulates that if a judgment is rendered in her favor, he gets 60% of the property recovered as contingent fee. In turn, he will assume payment of all expenses of the litigation.

1. Is the agreement valid? 2.5%

2. May Atty. Quintos and Susan increase the amount of the contingent fee to 80%? 2.5%

12. Assumpsit, Client Refuse to Pay His Lawyer in Full

1. What is “assumpsit” and when is it proper? 2%

2. Give 4 instances when a client may validly refuse to pay his lawyer the full amount of attorney’s fees stipulated in their written contract. 4%

13. Primary Duties

What are the primary duties imposed by the Lawyer’s Oath upon every member of the Bar? 5%

14. Automatic Disbarment

Atty. Perez was admitted as a member of the New York Bar.

While in Manhattan, he was convicted of estafa and was disbarred.

Does his disbarment in New York a ground for his automatic disbarment in the Philippines? 2.5%

15. Grounds for Disbarment

Which of the following acts does not constitute a ground for disbarment? Explain. 2.5%

1. Gross misconduct

2. Fraudulent misrepresentation

3. Grossly immoral conduct

4. Violation of the Lawyer’s Oath

5. Willful disobedience to a lawful order of the Supreme Court

6. Malpractice

7. Appearance of a non-lawyer as an attorney for a litigant in a case