What do attorneys do
An attorney is a legal professional who advises and represents people, businesses, and organizations on legal matters. Attorneys explain how the law applies to a situation, protect a client's interests, prepare legal documents, negotiate solutions, and represent clients in court or other legal proceedings.
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What Are an Attorney's Main Responsibilities?
An attorney's six main responsibilities are legal advice, legal research, document preparation, negotiation, court representation, and client communication.
| Responsibility | What It Involves |
|---|---|
| Legal advice | Explaining rights, duties, risks, and legal options |
| Legal research | Reviewing statutes, regulations, court decisions, and legal records |
| Document preparation | Drafting contracts, lawsuits, wills, agreements, and other filings |
| Negotiation | Trying to resolve disputes through settlements, plea agreements, mediation, or arbitration |
| Court representation | Presenting arguments, evidence, and legal defenses in hearings and trials |
| Client communication | Discussing the matter with clients, opposing attorneys, judges, and other professionals |
Do Attorneys Go to Court?
Some attorneys appear in court regularly, while others do most of their work outside the courtroom.
A trial attorney may:
- File motions and other court documents
- Question witnesses
- Present evidence
- Make opening and closing arguments
- Negotiate settlements
- Represent a client at a hearing or trial
Other attorneys focus on legal advice and transactions. A business attorney, for example, may draft contracts, help form a company, review regulatory requirements, or guide a client through a merger.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics describes lawyers as advocates and advisors in criminal matters, civil disputes, and legal transactions.
What Does an Attorney Do for a Client?
An attorney learns the facts, identifies the legal issues, researches the law, explains the available choices, develops a strategy, and takes action on the client's behalf.
The process often includes:
- Learning the facts by interviewing the client and reviewing documents.
- Identifying the legal issues involved in the matter.
- Researching the law and assessing the strengths and weaknesses of the case or transaction.
- Explaining the options, likely outcomes, costs, and risks.
- Creating a legal strategy based on the client's goals.
- Taking action, such as filing a claim, negotiating with another party, preparing a contract, or appearing in court.
The attorney makes legal recommendations, but the client generally makes major decisions, such as whether to accept a settlement or proceed to trial.
What Types of Attorneys Are There?
Attorneys practice in many areas of law, including:
- Criminal defense attorneys, who defend people accused of crimes
- Personal injury attorneys, who handle claims involving injuries caused by another party
- Family law attorneys, who work on divorce, custody, adoption, and support matters
- Business attorneys, who advise companies on contracts, disputes, and business formation
- Employment attorneys, who handle workplace rights and employment disputes
- Estate planning attorneys, who prepare wills, trusts, and related plans
- Real estate attorneys, who assist with property purchases, leases, and disputes
- Immigration attorneys, who help with visas, residency, citizenship, and removal proceedings
- Civil rights attorneys, who handle claims involving constitutional or legally protected rights
Some attorneys work for private law firms. Others work for government agencies, companies, nonprofit organizations, or themselves.
What Is the Difference Between an Attorney and a Lawyer?
In the United States, "attorney" and "lawyer" commonly mean the same thing: a legal professional qualified to advise and represent clients.
The American Bar Association identifies lawyer, attorney, counsel, and counselor as related terms for a person who provides legal advice and representation.
How Are Attorneys Different From Paralegals?
Attorneys are licensed to practice law and represent clients. Paralegals and legal assistants support attorneys by conducting research, organizing case files, preparing documents, and helping with trial preparation.
Paralegals generally cannot provide independent legal advice or represent a client in court as an attorney does.
What Does an Attorney Need to Practice Law?
In the United States, an attorney typically completes law school and obtains a license from a state. State licensing usually requires passing that state's bar examination, and an attorney's authority to practice can vary by jurisdiction.