Attorney Canonsburg PA

Attorneys

The word attorney normally means a licensed attorney at law. The right of an attorney to practice law is governed in every jurisdiction by statute, court rules, or both. An applicant to practice law must meet specific standards or requirements before he or she will be authorized to engage in the practice of law. Once an attorney has been so authorized, the attorney's right to practice law may be revoked for engaging in unethical or illegal conduct.

The term practice of law includes the appearance in court representing another. It embraces all advice to clients and all action taken for them in matters connected with the law, including the preparation of pleadings and other papers involving a judicial action, the management of such actions and proceedings on behalf of clients before judges and courts, the preparation of legal instruments such as contracts, deeds, leases, wills, in general, advising clients and taking action for them in matters connected with law.

Most, if not all, states have statutes which prohibits the unauthorized practice of law. The practice of law is generally defined or interpreted as doing and performing services in a court of justice in any matter pending therein throughout its various stages and in conformity with the adopted rules of procedure. The representation of others before judicial or administrative bodies constitutes the practice of law. The character of the act done, and not the place where it is performed, is the decisive factor in determining whether certain conduct constitutes the practice of law.

An attorney at law has both public and private obligations because the attorney is sworn to act with all good fidelity toward both his or her client and the court. The attorney's private obligations comprise those duties owed to his or her client; the attorney's public duty consists of the obligation to aid the administration of justice and to uphold the dignity of the court and respect its authority. Lawyers are considered to be an officer of the court in that he/she has an obligation to promote justice and effective operation of the judicial system. As officers of the court, lawyers have an absolute ethical duty to tell judges the truth in all matters related to conduct of the courts.

An attorney is required by law and/or bar regulation to faithfully, honestly, and consistently represent his/her client’s interests, protect the rights of the client, observe the highest and utmost good faith toward the client, and to inform the client promptly of any known information important to him or her. With certain exceptions, a lawyer may not knowingly reveal a confidence or secret of his or her client, use a confidence or secret of his or her client to the disadvantage of the client, or use a confidence or secret of his or her client for the advantage of himself or herself or of a third person.

The American Bar Association (ABA) is the largest organization of American lawyers. It is a private orga...