What do attorneys do?

There are numerous areas of legal practice that are very unique and diverse. Within the judicial system, attorneys are fiduciaries and advocates to clients and representatives of the court.

What are the areas of legal practice?

There are dozens of areas of law practice that are largely, if not completely, separate and unrelated. 

Not all attorneys practice law in a courtroom; however, these standards apply equally to attorneys who provide legal services outside of the courtroom.

Very few attorneys are experts in more than a couple of legal areas. Below are some common areas of legal practice: 

• Criminal Law, Civil Action (Tort Lawyers), Insurance Litigation, Secured Transactions, Administrative law, Contract law, Consumer Law, International shipping and trade, Immigration law, Intellectual Property law, Antitrust law, Securities law, Banking and Finance Law, Corporate Governance, Environmental law, Land and Property, Labor and Employment, Social Security & Disability, Elder Law, Estate Planning, Workers Compensation, Family law, Human Rights, Election law, Sports law, etc. 

What are the Attorney's Duties to Clients? 

Attorneys are counselors, advocates, and public servants. More specifically, they are fiduciaries and advocates for their clients interests and officers of the court. 

The attorneys oath of office subjects the attorney to a professional code of ethics that governs all of her professional practice activities. 

The attorney is generally trained to navigate the legal system. This may involve working within the courtroom. 

Below are some universal truths about lawyers and those who practice in the courtroom.

Attorneys are Fiduciaries 

Attorneys have a duty of trust, confidentiality, and loyalty to their clients. This means that, absent certain exceptions, an attorney cannot disclose confidences related to her by a client. This relationship requires a high degree of professional and ethical conduct. Lawyers are subject to sanction (or even disbarment) for failure to live up to these high ethical standards.

Attorneys can Represent their Clients in Court 

Individuals may represent themselves or hire a licensed attorney to counsel and represent them before the court. Attorneys must be licensed by and admitted to a court bar to represent clients before that body.

Attorneys are Officers of the Court 

Attorneys are officers of the court and are required to seek justice and to try cases on the merits only. While attorneys represent their clients, they have ethical obligations to the court to promote and seek justice. The system is not designed to be a battle of wits, but rather a presentation of evidence for a just decision.

Related Topics

• US Courts (Intro)
• What is the Authority for Article III Courts?
• What is the Authority for Article I Courts?
• What is the authority for courts under Article II?
• What is the authority for Article IV Territorial Courts?
• What is the authority for State Courts?
• What are Article III Courts?
• What are Article I Administrative Courts?
• What are Article IV Territorial Courts?
• What are state courts?
• What is Subject-Matter Jurisdiction?
• What is Federal Court Subject-Matter Jurisdiction?
• What is State Court Subject-Matter Jurisdiction?
• Can a Federal trial courts hear state matters & vice versa?
• Can a Federal appellate court hear federal matters & vice versa?
• What is Personal Jurisdiction?
• How to establish Federal Court Personal Jurisdiction?
• How to establish State Court Personal Jurisdiction?
• What is a Long-Arm Statute?
• Who are the primary players in the state judicial system?
• What types of judges are part of the judiciary?
• What are the duties of trial judges in the legal system?
• Contempt of Court
• Declaratory Judgment
• Equitable Relief
• Equity - Definition
• What are the duties of Appellate Judges & Justices?
• De Novo Review
• What is the role of jurors in the judicial system?
• What number of jurors and juror votes are required for guilt or liability?
• What do Attorneys do?
• Who are the other players in the judicial system?
• US Circuit Court?
• US Supreme Court?
• Appeals from Legislative and Administrative Courts
• Appeals in the state court system?