Attorney Defined
An attorney is a highly trained legal professional who is authorized to practice law and act on behalf of others in legal matters. They are also known as lawyers and serve as representatives for individuals, organizations, and entities in various legal capacities. These professionals undergo rigorous education and training to obtain their credentials and maintain their licensure.
Definition
- A person who is authorized to practice law after completing extensive legal education, passing the bar examination, and meeting state-specific requirements for licensure
- A qualified legal professional who is authorized to act on behalf of another person in legal matters, providing representation and counsel
- A person who has met all necessary qualifications to prosecute or defend actions in court, draft legal documents, and provide legal advice across various practice areas
- A licensed professional who has sworn to uphold the law and maintain the highest ethical standards in their legal practice
Synonyms
Advocate, Counsel, Counselor, Legal eagle, Barrister (in some jurisdictions), Solicitor (in some jurisdictions), Legal practitioner, and Legal representative.
Role
- Attorneys can sue people, defend people, and provide expert legal advice across numerous areas of law, including criminal, civil, corporate, and family law
- They can work for businesses, schools, the government, and individuals in various capacities, serving as in-house counsel, public defenders, prosecutors, or private practitioners
- Attorneys are often involved in complex legal issues, such as writing wills, resolving contracts, defending clients in court, handling real estate transactions, and managing intellectual property matters
- They serve as advocates for their clients’ interests while maintaining professional obligations to the court and the legal system
Someone authorized to practice law; a lawyer who has completed the necessary educational requirements and obtained proper licensing. Also called attorney-at-law, these professionals must maintain ongoing education and adhere to strict ethical guidelines. Less commonly, an agent authorized to act on behalf of another person, but not necessarily authorized to practice law, e.g., a person authorized to act by a power of attorney. Also called attorney-in-fact and private attorney, though these roles are distinctly different from licensed legal practitioners.
Attorney includes a person appointed by someone to do something in their absence, or to act in their place, though this broader definition has become less common in modern usage. An attorney-at-law would be a person you appoint to handle your legal affairs, providing representation and counsel in matters ranging from simple contracts to complex litigation.
attorney
n. 1) an agent or someone authorized to act for another, particularly in legal or financial matters. 2) a person who has been qualified by a state or federal court to provide legal services, including appearing in court, after meeting rigorous educational and professional requirements. Each state has a comprehensive bar examination which is a qualifying test to practice law, designed to assess both legal knowledge and ethical understanding. The examinations vary in difficulty and content by jurisdiction, but cannot be taken until the applicant is a graduate of an accredited law school (with a three-year minimum course of study) or in seven states has fulfilled extensive other training requirements. Passage of the bar examination qualifies the attorney for that state only and for the federal courts located in that state (and other federal courts upon request). Some states will accept attorneys from other states through reciprocity agreements, but many will not grant this “reciprocity” and require at least a basic test for out-of-state attorneys. Attorneys from other states may practice in a limited way, but cannot appear (except on a single case with court permission) in state courts (but in federal courts). Graduation from law school alone does not make one an attorney; proper licensure is required. There are also patent attorneys who can practice in federal patent courts only and have both legal and engineering training. Most patent attorneys today are regular attorneys who specialize in intellectual property law and have additional qualifications in technical fields.
attorney at law (or attorney-at-law)
n. (or attorney-at-law) a slightly fancier way of saying attorney or lawyer, though the term specifically refers to someone who has met all the requirements to practice law in their jurisdiction and is actively licensed to do so.
attorney of record
The attorney who has officially appeared in court and/or signed pleadings or other forms on behalf of a client, thereby assuming responsibility for representing that client’s interests in legal proceedings. The lawyer remains the attorney of record until some other attorney or the client substitutes for him/her, he/she is allowed by the court to withdraw, or after the case is closed. Sometimes lawyers find themselves still on the record in cases (such as divorces) which they believe have long since been completed, highlighting the importance of proper procedural closure in legal matters. This status carries specific obligations and responsibilities to both the client and the court system.
Criminal Attorney
A criminal attorney is a specialized legal professional who focuses primarily on defending individuals and entities charged with criminal offenses. While many attorneys handle criminal defense cases as part of their broader practice, criminal attorneys dedicate their expertise specifically to criminal law. These specialists navigate the complex terrain of criminal justice, representing clients throughout the entire legal process, from arrest and arraignment through trial and, if necessary, appeal. Some jurisdictions offer specialized certification programs where lawyers can become certified “criminal law specialists” by demonstrating extensive experience, completing additional training, and passing rigorous examinations in criminal law. This certification helps distinguish attorneys who have developed particular expertise in handling criminal matters.
Defense Attorney
- A defense attorney serves as the primary legal advocate for individuals or entities facing legal action in civil or criminal proceedings. These professionals work diligently to protect their clients’ rights, develop strategic defense strategies, and ensure fair representation throughout the legal process. They analyze evidence, interview witnesses, file motions, and present compelling arguments in court to defend their clients’ interests.
- In the insurance defense sector, a defense attorney represents defendants whose legal representation is provided through their insurance coverage. These attorneys are typically selected by insurance companies from a pre-approved panel of lawyers who have demonstrated expertise in handling insurance-related cases. They manage various aspects of insurance defense, including personal injury claims, property damage disputes, and liability matters.
- Criminal defense attorneys specialize in representing defendants facing criminal charges. These legal professionals possess in-depth knowledge of criminal law, constitutional rights, and procedural requirements specific to criminal proceedings. They work to protect their clients’ rights, challenge evidence, negotiate plea agreements, and present defense strategies in court. In contrast, attorneys who primarily handle civil cases seeking damages for their clients are commonly referred to as “plaintiff’s attorneys.”
An attorney is a licensed legal professional who has met stringent educational and professional requirements to represent individuals and entities in legal matters. This encompasses both transactional work and litigation, requiring comprehensive knowledge of applicable laws, regulations, and legal procedures.
Attorney encompasses three primary definitions:
1. (Law) A person who has received legal authorization to act on behalf of another party through formal appointment or power of attorney. This role requires strict adherence to fiduciary duties and responsible representation of the principal’s interests.
2. (Law) US In the American legal system, an attorney refers to a qualified legal professional who has completed the necessary education, passed the bar examination, and received licensing to represent clients in legal proceedings. These professionals must maintain ongoing education and ethical compliance.
3. (Professions) US Within the professional context, an attorney is a licensed legal practitioner qualified to provide comprehensive legal services, including representation in court proceedings, legal consultation, and document preparation.
An attorney, synonymous with lawyer or attorney-at-law, is a professional who has demonstrated the knowledge, skills, and ethical understanding necessary to practice law. These individuals must complete extensive educational requirements, including obtaining a Juris Doctor degree and passing their jurisdiction’s bar examination.
An attorney serves as a qualified legal professional authorized to practice law, conducting various legal activities including litigation, legal consultation, and document preparation. Their role requires extensive knowledge of legal principles, procedures, and ethical obligations.
The term attorney specifically refers to a person legally empowered to act on another’s behalf, particularly in legal matters. This authority comes with significant responsibilities and obligations to both clients and the legal system.
Attorney, in its broadest sense, describes an individual who acts as a legal representative or agent, authorized to conduct business or legal matters on behalf of another party. When used in the context of court proceedings or legal practice, the term specifically refers to an “attorney at law,” a licensed legal professional qualified to represent clients in legal matters.
An attorney (attorney at law) must meet specific educational and professional requirements to represent clients in legal proceedings. These professionals serve as advocates, counselors, and officers of the court, working to protect their clients’ interests while upholding legal and ethical standards.
An attorney at large describes a legal professional who maintains a general practice and appears in various courts within their jurisdiction. These attorneys typically handle diverse legal matters rather than specializing in a particular area of law.
An attorney in fact refers to an individual granted specific powers through a written document known as a “power of attorney” or “letter of attorney.” This role differs from an attorney at law, as it does not require legal training or licensing. Instead, it authorizes the designated individual to act on behalf of another person (the principal) in specific matters, which may include financial transactions, business dealings, or other non-legal activities. The scope of authority can be either limited to particular actions or broad enough to encompass general business matters, though it typically excludes legal representation in court proceedings.