PREAMBLE AND SCOPE PREAMBLE: AN LLLT'S RESPONSIBILITIES[1] An LLLT is authorized to provide limited legal services that lie within the scope of the practice that the LLLT is licensed to undertake. Within that scope, an LLLT is a member of the legal profession, is a representative of clients, and has a special responsibility for the quality of justice.[2] As a representative of clients within a limited scope, an LLLT performs various functions. As advisor, an LLLT provides a client with an informed understanding of the client's legal rights and obligations and explains their practical implications. As an evaluator, an LLLT acts by examining a client's legal affairs and reporting about them to the client or to others. To the extent an LLLT is allowed to act as an advocate or as a negotiator under APR 28, an LLLT conscientiously acts in the best interest of the client, and seeks a result that is advantageous to the client but consistent with the requirements of honest dealings with others.[3] In addition to these limited representational functions, an LLLT may serve as a third-party neutral, a nonrepresentational role helping the parties to resolve a dispute or other matter. Some of these Rules apply directly to LLLTs who are or have served as third-party neutrals. See, e.g.,Rules 1.12 and 2.4. In addition, there are Rules that apply to LLLTs who are not active in the practice of law or to practicing LLLTs even when they are acting in a nonprofessional capacity. For example, an LLLT who commits fraud in the conduct of a business is subject to discipline for engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation. See Rule 8.4.[4] In all professional functions an LLLT should be competent, prompt, and diligent. An LLLT should maintain communication with a client concerning the representation. An LLLT should keep in confidence information relating to representation of a client except so far as disclosure is required or permitted by the Rules of Professional Conduct for LLLTs.[5] An LLLT's conduct should conform to the requirements of the law, both in professional service to clients and in the LLLT's business and personal affairs. An LLLT should use the law's procedures only for legitimate purposes and not to harass or intimidate others. An LLLT should demonstrate respect for the legal system and for those who serve it, including judges, lawyers, other LLLTs, and public officials.[6] As a member of the legal profession, an LLLT should seek to improve access to the legal system, the administration of justice, and the quality of service rendered by the legal profession, and should also seek to strengthen legal education. An LLLT should be mindful of deficiencies in the administration of justice and of the fact that the poor, and sometimes persons who are not poor, cannot afford adequate legal assistance. Therefore, all LLLTs should devote professional time and resources to ensure equal access to our system of justice for all those who because of economic or social barriers cannot afford or secure adequate legal counsel. An LLLT should aid the legal profession in pursuing these objectives and should help the legal profession regulate itself in the public interest.[7] Many of an LLLT's professional responsibilities are prescribed in the Rules of Professional Conduct for LLLTs, as well as substantive and procedural law to the extent applicable to LLLTs. However, an LLLT is also guided by personal conscience and the approbation of lawyers, clients, and professional peers. Within the authorized scope of an LLLT's practice, the LLLT should strive to attain the highest level of skill and to exemplify the legal profession's ideals of public service.[8] An LLLT's responsibilities as a limited-scope representative of clients and as a public citizen are usually harmonious. Thus, an LLLT can be sure that preserving client confidences ordinarily serves the public interest because people are more likely to seek legal advice, and thereby heed their legal obligations, when they know their communications will be private.[9] Notwithstanding the limited scope of authority of an LLLT, however, conflicting responsibilities are encountered. Virtually all difficult ethical problems arise from conflict between an LLLT's responsibilities to clients, to the legal system, and to the LLLT's own interest in remaining an ethical person while earning a satisfactory living. The Rules of Professional Conduct for LLLTs often prescribe terms for resolving such conflicts. Within the framework of these Rules, however, many difficult issues of professional discretion can arise. Such issues must be resolved through the exercise of sensitive professional and moral judgment guided by the basic principles underlying the Rules. [10] The legal profession is largely self-governing. Although other professions also have been granted powers of self-government, the legal profession is unique in this respect because of the close relationship between the profession and the processes of government and law enforcement. This connection is manifested in the fact that ultimate authority over the legal profession is vested largely in the courts.[11] To the extent that LLLTs meet the obligations of their professional calling, the occasion for government regulation is obviated. Self-regulation also helps maintain the legal profession's independence from government domination. An independent legal profession is an important force in preserving government under law, for abuse of legal authority is more readily challenged by a profession whose members are not dependent on government for the right to practice.[12] The legal profession's relative autonomy carries with it special responsibilities of self-government. The profession has a responsibility to assure that its regulations are conceived in the public interest and not in furtherance of parochial or self-interested concerns. Every LLLT is responsible for observance of the Rules of Professional Conduct for LLLTs. An LLLT should also aid in securing their observance by other legal practitioners. Neglect of these responsibilities compromises the independence of the profession and the public interest which it serves.[13] LLLTs are obliged to understand their relationship to our legal system. The Rules of Professional Conduct for LLLTs, when properly applied, serve to define that relationship.