Duties

Attorney Duties

Attorneys have a range of core duties grounded in both ethical standards and the legal system’s expectations. As members of the profession, attorneys serve as representatives of clients, officers of the legal system, and public citizens entrusted with special responsibility for the quality of justice[1][2][4].

  • Advisor: Attorneys provide clients with an informed understanding of their legal rights and obligations, explaining the practical implications of legal decisions and actions[1][2][4][6][8].
  • Advocate: They zealously assert a client’s position under the rules of the adversary system, ensuring the client’s interests are forcefully and ethically advanced within the boundaries of the law[1][2][4][6][7][8].
  • Negotiator: Lawyers seek results advantageous to clients, while maintaining honesty and integrity in dealings with others[1][2][4][6][8].
  • Evaluator: Attorneys examine legal affairs and report findings and recommendations to clients or other parties, often providing objective assessments of legal matters[1][2][4][6][8].
  • Third-Party Neutral: In some roles, such as mediators or arbitrators, attorneys facilitate dispute resolution between parties without representing any party’s specific interests[1][2][4][6][8].
  • Drafting Legal Documents: Attorneys prepare contracts, wills, pleadings, and other documents to ensure clarity, legality, and alignment with client goals[5].
  • Representing Clients in Court: They argue cases, present evidence, and advocate client positions before judges and juries, ensuring fair and effective legal proceedings[5][7].
  • Handling Settlements: Many disputes are resolved through negotiation rather than trial, with attorneys playing a key role in crafting agreements[5].
  • Maintaining Client Confidentiality: Attorneys are obligated to keep information relating to representation confidential, except as required or permitted by law[4].
  • Upholding Professional Responsibility: Lawyers must conform to the law and ethical standards in all professional, business, and personal affairs, maintaining competence, promptness, and diligence in all matters[4][6][8].

Additionally, attorneys, including attorneys general, may serve the public interest by providing counsel to government agencies, representing the state in court, issuing formal opinions, enforcing laws, and advocating for legislative or policy changes[3].

References

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