Ethical Assignment Questions

1. You take a phone call from client Ida Ipana, who demands to know how much her case is worth or she will pull it from the office as she did with her previous attorneys. As a non-lawyer, may you discuss this matter with Mrs. Ipana? Explain your reasoning.

1. You've been asked to assist Travis Dorn with the Witherspoon v. Town Taverncase but you previously worked at Town Tavern as a bartender. May you continue to work on the file? What should the office do if it wants to continue to represent Mr. Witherspoon?

1. Murphy, Miller & Dorn contracts with a legal nurse consultant named Florence Nightengale. Florence has been asked to review the Beatrice Clemensfile and summarize the medical records. Florence also works as a nurse at Goodheart Hospital, the hospital which Beatrice Clemens is looking at bringing a lawsuit against. May Florence contact the hospital and let it know that it may be sued? Explain your reasoning.

1. Travis Dorn is out of the office and won't be returning in time to review and file a complaint in the Hessler v. Novick case. May Jennifer Douglas, the paralegal, sign Mr. Dorn's name and file the complaint to protect the statute of limitations? Explain your reasoning.

1. You've been asked to draft some documents in a new case, but when you bring them to the supervising attorney for his review and critique, he tells you to go ahead and send the documents without looking at them. What should you do?

1. Your neighbours wish to divorce and, because they believe the proceeding will be amicable, ask your law office to represent them both. Is this a good idea? Explain your reasoning.