A more thorough explanation:

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

Lawyers are officers of the court, which means they have a duty to uphold the law and ensure justice is served. They are not officers of the United States, however.

If a lawyer acts without reasonable care, they may be liable for damages stemming from negligence. However, if they act with skill, reasonable care, and to the best of their knowledge, they will not be held liable for every mistake that may occur in legal practice.

Lawyers claim to be reasonably well acquainted with the law, rules, and court practices, but they do not claim to know all the law or to be incapable of making errors or mistakes in applying the law to facts.

Lawyers are generally obligated to their clients rather than to a third party, with exceptions.

For example, in the court case Savings Bank v. Ward, the opinion mentions various qualities and duties of an attorney. The court illustrates that lawyers are officers of the court, and they have a duty to act with reasonable care. If they do not, they may be held liable for damages. However, if they act with skill and reasonable care, they will not be held liable for every mistake that may occur in legal practice. The court also notes that lawyers claim to be reasonably well acquainted with the law, but they do not claim to know all the law or to be incapable of making errors or mistakes in applying the law to facts. Finally, the court mentions that lawyers are generally obligated to their clients rather than to a third party, with exceptions.