My English teacher told me that an attorney and a lawyer are 2 different things....is this true?
2007-02-26 08:50:40 · 7 answers · asked by vickie 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Are lawyer and attorney synonyms? Essentially yes. Around our office we have many other synonyms for lawyer as well, most of them muttered between clenched teeth. But I digress. According to several dictionaries, a lawyer is somebody who can give legal advice and has been trained in the law. An attorney is somebody legally empowered to represent another person, or act on their behalf.
So if you give somebody "power of attorney," that doesn't mean they suddenly become the comic book hero, "Super Litigator," it means they can legally sign papers and make decisions for you in the area in which you've given them that power. In many, perhaps most, cases, lawyers are given power of attorney--but it doesn't have to be that way.
In everyday usage, the terms are virtually synonymous. Indeed, a quick poll of lawyers at my office found none who really thought there was any difference. But if we stick to our dictionary guns, there is a definite distinction.
As a side note, the British have several additional terms for people who practice law. "Lawyer" is a general term describing all of them. "Solicitors" do most of the office work, draft documents, talk to clients, etc., and may only appear as advocates in the lower courts. "Barristers" do most of the trial work, especially in the higher courts, where they are the only ones who may act as advocates. "Attorney" has pretty much the same meaning in Britain as in America--one who acts on behalf of another.
Why use yellow pads? Because they are allegedly (like the use of that lawyerly term?) easier on the eyes than white paper. And for people who have to write and read a lot, it makes sense to use something that's easier on the eyes. Nowadays, though, yellow paper is becoming more difficult to find as many offices switch to white paper, which can be recycled more easily.
What about the long paper? Well, I was going to make the standard cracks about lawyers needing 30% more space than normal folks to say the same thing. But a quick check of Cecil's archives found that not only did he already answer this question (see http://www.straightdope.com/classics/ a3_016.html), but he dissed that joke as well. So never mind. Hmph.
2007-02-26 08:54:28 · answer #1 · answered by Brite Tiger 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
An attorney at law (also known simply as an attorney or lawyer) in the United States is a person licensed to practice law by the highest court of a state or other jurisdiction. Alternate terms include attorney-at-law and attorney and counselor (or counsellor) at law.
So your teacher is wrong.
Look at the site below for more proof.
2007-02-26 08:54:11 · answer #2 · answered by Tenn Gal 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A "lawyer" is someone who knows the law and has been admitted to the bar. He advises his clients about their legal rights and often pleads their cases in a court of law. In the strictest sense an attorney need not be a lawyer; in other words, he need not be someone who practices law. An "attorney" is someone empowered to act in a legal capacity on someone's behalf. For example, when you give the power of attorney to someone, you are authorising the individual to act on your behalf. This individual need not be a lawyer; he could be anyone - your brother, husband or friend. If you wish to use the word "attorney" to mean "lawyer", then the correct term is "attorney at law".
2007-02-26 08:53:44 · answer #3 · answered by starr 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Suuposedly an attorney practices higher law and works on cases, but a lawyer is technically only a person who studies law.
They're pretty synonamous in today's vernacular.
2007-02-26 08:56:02 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think attorney is also known as lawyer
2007-02-26 08:54:57 · answer #5 · answered by dk 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All attorneys are lawyers, but it is inappropriate to say that all lawyers are attorneys.
Who Are Lawyers?
A lawyer is someone who is knowledgeable in the law. An individual who has been knowledgeable in the law will always be resolved as a lawyer, even if he or she does not give lawful counsel to other individuals. However, the lawyer who has just finished law university may not be permitted to do certain lawful tasks until they efficiently successfully pass the bar examination that is performed in the particular lawful place they wish to exercise.
Who Are Attorneys?
Attorneys are also known as lawyers. Attorney complete law university and they can also decide to exercise law as a career. Apart from executing the standard features of a lawyer, attorneys can also act as lawful associates for their prospective customers.
2017-03-28 08:48:24 · answer #6 · answered by Jose 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
isn't attorney just an american term?
2007-02-26 08:53:33 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋