Regulation of the Legal Profession
State high courts regulate lawyers; the MPRE tests the ABA Model Rules as written. This area covers admission, discipline, reporting misconduct, unauthorized and multijurisdictional practice, and how law firms may be owned and run.
Admission and discipline
Rule 8.1 binds bar applicants and anyone writing to the bar about an applicant: no knowing false statements and no silence that leaves a known misunderstanding in place. Rule 8.4 makes misconduct of dishonesty in any setting and of crimes that reflect on honesty or fitness. Rule 8.3 requires a report to the disciplinary authority only when a lawyer knows of a violation raising a substantial question about another lawyer's honesty or fitness, and never requires revealing confidential client information.
Practice across lines and firm structure
Rule 5.5 bars practice where a lawyer is not admitted, with safe harbors for temporary work and continuing work for an employer. Rule 5.4 forbids sharing fees with, partnering with, or being owned by nonlawyers, though staff may share in profit-based compensation plans. Rules 5.1–5.3 make supervisors answer for failing to put reasonable measures in place, and Rule 5.6 voids restrictions on a lawyer's right to practice except for retirement benefits. The PrepPass MPRE Study Guide works through each safe harbor and exception with worked examples.
Keep going: the full MPRE — Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination guide covers every section of the exam. MPRE Study Guide — 2026 Edition — PDF + EPUB, $24.99 · 14-day refund →
Practice stays free. The full MPRE — Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination study guide is the material itself, taught start to finish — a downloadable PDF + EPUB you keep.