Which type of authority allows an attorney to make decisions without specific client input?

The correct answer is that implied authority based on previous agreements allows an attorney to make decisions without specific client input. This concept refers to the authority that is not explicitly given by the client but is inferred from the actions and agreements that have preceded the current situation. For example, if a client has previously allowed an attorney to make certain decisions within a specific scope, that attorney may continue to do so in similar situations unless instructed otherwise by the client.

Implied authority arises from the client’s prior conduct and the nature of the attorney-client relationship, serving to facilitate the efficient handling of a case. It is important in legal practice because clients often cannot be involved in every decision, and attorneys must act in the best interest of their clients, leveraging their expertise to make decisions based on their understanding of the case and the client's intent.

The other options do not correctly describe a situation in which an attorney has the authority to make decisions without specific client input. Actual authority specifically refers to the explicit permission given by a client, while apparent authority relates to how third parties perceive the attorney's ability to act, which does not grant the attorney independent decision-making power. The notion that all decisions require client approval contradicts the established principles of implied authority that allow lawyers to operate within the