Attorney

Attorney, in law, any person authorized by another to represent him or her. An agent who has been granted express authority to bind his or her principal is called an attorney in fact. Such authority is usually granted by a written instrument called a power of attorney. The powers conferred may be general, as when one gives another a mandate to manage all one's affairs during an absence, or special, as when the authority extends only to a particular business, or is otherwise limited or qualified. The term attorney at law is used in the United States to denote a legal adviser or representative in all manner of business. In Britain, upon the fusion of law and equity by the Judicature Act of 1873, the two classes of attorney and barrister were united under the name of solicitor in the High Court of Justice.

An attorney at law is an officer of the court, and as such is required, in the U.S., to take a binding oath of office to observe the U.S. Constitution and the constitution of the state of residence. Each state regulates by law the training and qualifications of attorneys. Usually a preliminary examination in general scholarship is required, followed by study at a school of law and sometimes by a clerkship or apprenticeship, varying from one to two years, in the office of a practicing attorney. Finally, an applicant must pass an examination in law before being admitted to the bar.

The duties of an attorney are to act with diligence and fidelity to one's client and to show average prudence, knowledge, and skill in professional dealings. In order to settle an action, the attorney requires, as a rule, the special authority of the client. No attorney can be compelled to reveal confidential information related by a client.