What is the primary responsibility of a lawyer according to the ABA Model Rules?

The primary responsibility of a lawyer, as articulated in the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct, is to represent the client's interests. This fundamental principle underscores the role of an attorney as an advocate for their client, ensuring that the client's legal rights are protected and that their interests are asserted vigorously within the bounds of the law.

The duty to the client emphasizes that the lawyer's paramount obligation is to act in the best interests of those they represent. This includes providing competent representation, maintaining client confidentiality, and avoiding conflicts of interest. While lawyers also have obligations to the court and the legal system as a whole, these obligations must be balanced against their duty to their clients, who ultimately engage their services and pay for their advocacy.

In contrast, while serving the court and fulfilling public duties are important aspects of a lawyer's responsibilities, they are secondary to the obligation to the client. The role of advocating for the state is also not the primary duty unless the lawyer is serving as a prosecutor or in a similar capacity, but even then, the representation must be conducted with a commitment to justice and fairness. Thus, the model rules firmly establish that the client's interests are the lawyer's focal point in their professional practice.