What is a limit on what a legal assistant can do for a client?

• A. Actions that cannot be performed by a non-attorney, specifically giving legal advice or representing the client in court
• B. Filing documents independently
• C. Negotiating settlements with permission
• D. Providing client counseling on ethical issues

Answer: (A)

Legal assistants work under the supervision of a licensed attorney, and they are not allowed to perform duties that require a license. Giving legal advice and representing a client in court are activities that only an attorney can do. This is the defining limit because it protects clients by ensuring that legally binding guidance and advocacy come from someone who is authorized to practice law. Other tasks like filing documents with supervision, negotiating settlements under direction, or discussing ethical issues in general terms can be handled under an attorney’s guidance, but they do not define the core restriction in the same way.