lawyer

An individual who is authorized to practice law. A lawyer is also called an attorney or attorney-at-law.

The court in Savings Bank v. Ward deftly illustrates various qualities and duties of an attorney. The opinion mentions that attorneys:

Are officers of the court, but are not officers of the United States
If acting without reasonable care, may be liable for damages stemming from negligence
If acting with skill, reasonable care, and to the best of their knowledge, will not be held liable for every mistake that may occur in legal practice
Claim to be reasonably well acquainted with the law, rules, and court practices
Do not claim to know all the law or to be incapable of making errors or mistakes in applying the law to facts
Are generally obligated to their clients rather than to a third party, with exceptions

[Last updated in June of 2020 by the Wex Definitions Team ]