Who is guided by the Rules of Professional Conduct?

The correct answer identifies that the lawyer's assistant is guided by the Rules of Professional Conduct. Legal professionals, including attorney's assistants, are expected to adhere to ethical guidelines as they support the work of lawyers. These Rules of Professional Conduct establish standards for the behavior of legal practitioners, ensuring that all individuals in the legal field, regardless of their specific roles, help maintain integrity and professionalism within the legal system.

While it may seem that only attorneys are bound by these rules, the nature of legal practice requires that all those who support the attorneys in their work—including paralegals and legal assistants—understand and follow ethical guidelines to ensure that the law is upheld. Their actions can have significant implications for client confidentiality, conflicts of interest, and ethical dealings, making it essential for them to be guided by such rules.

In contrast, the other options imply a limited scope of responsibility regarding the ethical guidelines, which does not fully represent the structure of a legal environment where all support staff play a role in adhering to the professional conduct standards.