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An attorney, also known as a lawyer, is a professional trained and licensed to represent clients in legal matters. This includes preparing and managing court actions, advising on legal rights and obligations, and negotiating settlements. Attorneys apply the law to specific cases by investigating facts, gathering evidence, and presenting arguments in court. They also assist with legal arrangements outside of court, such as drafting wills and contracts. The practice of law involves loyalties to clients, the justice system, and the community, with ethical principles guiding conduct when these loyalties conflict. Legal ethics are principles of conduct expected of legal professionals, developed to ensure competence and prevent abuses within the legal system.123

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