{"id":358090,"date":"2016-04-04T10:46:22","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:46:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/hirealawyer\/do-you-need-a-lawyer\/what-is-legal-advice.html"},"modified":"2026-01-29T20:53:28","modified_gmt":"2026-01-30T01:53:28","slug":"what-is-legal-advice","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/hirealawyer\/do-you-need-a-lawyer\/what-is-legal-advice.html","title":{"rendered":"What Is ‘Legal Advice’?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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What Is 'Legal Advice'?<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Susan Buckner, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Legal advice<\/span> is professional, well-informed guidance about a matter involving the law, often by recommending a specific course of action<\/span>. A legal professional<\/span> must have a formal attorney-client relationship with you before giving advice on your case. Legal advice<\/span> differs from providing general information<\/span> about the law and other legal services<\/span>.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

When you have a legal problem, you need legal advice<\/span>. When you go to a legal aid<\/span> clinic, they warn you they can only give you \u201clegal information<\/span>\u201d but not \u201clegal advice<\/span>.\u201d You came for legal services<\/span>, and they gave you information but not advice? What\u2019s the difference?<\/p>\n

The\u00a0American Bar Association<\/span>\u2019s<\/a>\u00a0ethics rules make it malpractice for a non-attorney to practice law, give legal advice<\/span>, or hold themselves out as an attorney. Anyone in a lawyer\u2019s office is subject to the same rules. A secretary in a law office cannot dispense legal advice<\/span>. But how do they know what that is?<\/p>\n

Bad legal advice<\/span> could damage your ability to get a successful outcome for a legal issue<\/span>. There is only one way to make sure you get real legal advice<\/span>: consult with an attorney<\/a> who has experience with cases like yours.<\/p>\n

Legal Advice<\/span> vs. Legal Information<\/span><\/h2>\n

There is no good definition for \u201clegal advice<\/span>.\u201d State laws<\/span> are often circular and unhelpful when defining \u201clegal advice<\/span>.\u201d One state defines practicing law as \u201cany service rendered involving legal knowledge or legal advice<\/span>,\u201d which might mean that notaries<\/a>, paralegals<\/span>, and title agents also \u201cpractice law.\u201d<\/p>\n

The person providing it must distinguish legal information<\/span> from legal advice<\/span>. A licensed attorney<\/span> in good standing with the bar association<\/span><\/a> can give legal advice<\/span> about your specific case. Anyone else can only provide legal information<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Defining Legal Advice<\/span><\/h3>\n

The practice of law involves an attorney and a client who have established an attorney-client relationship<\/a>. The attorney agrees to represent<\/a> the client in a particular legal matter<\/span>, and the client signs a fee agreement. The client explains the circumstances of the case, and the attorney gives the client an opinion on possible outcomes, the legal basis for these outcomes, an estimate of the number of hours<\/a> it will take for the legal work, and any filing fees or costs. This is what distinguishes legal advice<\/span> from legal information<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Legal advice<\/span> requires:<\/p>\n