Model Rule 8.4 lists what categories of professional misconduct?

• A. Dishonesty, fraud, deceit, and misrepresentation; conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice.
• B. Neglect of a client's matter.
• C. Failure to communicate.
• D. Poor billing practices.

Answer: (A)

Model Rule 8.4 defines professional misconduct as two broad categories: dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation; and conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice. This rule sets the wide standard for how lawyers must act, capturing acts that undermine trust in the legal system, from lying or fraud to behavior that harms the judicial process.

The option that lists dishonesty, fraud, deceit, and misrepresentation along with conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice matches exactly these two main categories in Rule 8.4. The other items describe issues that arise under different rules (for example, neglect of a client’s matter or failure to communicate under duties like diligence and communication) and are not the two broad categories specified in 8.4, nor do they by themselves enumerate the rule’s categories. Poor billing practices may raise ethics concerns, but they aren’t a direct listing of 8.4’s categories.