Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam Practice Question
Sam, an attorney, receives a cherished painting from a non-client. The painting is part of a legal settlement and must remain with Sam until the final distribution. Sam considers keeping it in a locked cabinet near his desk for convenience. Which choice best aligns with his ethical responsibility to protect the non-client's property?
Lock the painting in a cabinet at his office and treat it like any other personal file
Provide the painting to the client for storage until the settlement terms are finalized
The painting must be secured in an outside facility to be properly separated from the attorney's belongings
Store the painting separate from his personal items in a specialized and secured area until it is delivered to the rightful recipient
Attorneys must safeguard a non-client's property in a secure and separate environment. They should store items safely so there is no commingling with the attorney’s own belongings and no unnecessary risk of loss. A locked personal cabinet is a private space, but it may not give adequate assurance of safekeeping. Handing over possession to the attorney’s client would risk confusion over responsibility, which violates professional standards of protection. Storing the item in a secure place distinct from personal property meets the duty of care attorneys must uphold.
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