Attorney vs. Lawyer — What's the Difference?

A legal agent or representative.

An expert in or practitioner of law.

A lawyer qualified to represent clients in court.

A counselor or legal expert.

Counselor or advisor in law.

A person trained in legal matters.

A person who is legally qualified and licensed to represent a person in a legal matter, such as a transaction or lawsuit.

A lawyer or attorney is a person who practices law, as an advocate, attorney at law, barrister, barrister-at-law, bar-at-law, canonist, canon lawyer, civil law notary, counsel, counselor, solicitor, legal executive, or public servant preparing, interpreting and applying the law, but not as a paralegal or charter executive secretary. Working as a lawyer involves the practical application of abstract legal theories and knowledge to solve specific individualized problems, or to advance the interests of those who hire lawyers to perform legal services.

(US) A lawyer; one who advises or represents others in legal matters as a profession.

One whose profession is to give legal advice and assistance to clients and represent them in court or in other legal matters.

One such who practised in the courts of the common law.

A professional person with a graduate law degree that qualifies for legal work (such as Juris Doctor)

A solicitor.

A professional person qualified (as by a law degree or bar exam) and authorized to practice law as an attorney-at-law, solicitor, advocate, barrister or equivalent, i.e. represent parties in lawsuits or trials and give legal advice.

An agent or representative authorized to act on someone else's behalf.

(by extension) A legal layman who argues points of law.

An honorific given to lawyers and notaries public, or those holders by profession who also do other jobs. Usually capitalized or abbreviated as Atty.

The burbot.

Clusia spp.

The stem of a bramble.

A prosecutor

Any of various plants. en

To work as a legal attorney.

To practice law.

To provide with a legal attorney.

(intransitive) To perform, or attempt to perform, the work of a lawyer.

A substitute; a proxy; an agent.

(intransitive) To make legalistic arguments.

One who is legally appointed by another to transact any business for him; an attorney in fact.

To barrage (a person) with questions in order to get them to admit something.

To perform by proxy; to employ as a proxy.

One versed in the laws, or a practitioner of law; one whose profession is to conduct lawsuits for clients, or to advise as to prosecution or defence of lawsuits, or as to legal rights and obligations in other matters. It is a general term, comprehending attorneys, counselors, solicitors, barristers, sergeants, and advocates.

A professional person authorized to practice law; conducts lawsuits or gives legal advice

The black-necked stilt. See Stilt.

A person appointed to act for another in business/legal matters.

A professional person authorized to practice law; conducts lawsuits or gives legal advice

One given the power of attorney.

One who provides legal advice.

A legal scholar or teacher.

If they are qualified as an attorney, then yes.

Most do, but their primary role is representation.

No, not all lawyers represent clients in court.

In many contexts, especially in the U.S., lawyers also act as attorneys.

"Attorney-at-Law" is more specific, often meaning a lawyer qualified to practice in court.

Yes, they can be trained in law but not actively practice.

No, it refers to legal authority granted to someone to act on another's behalf.

"Attorney" is often more specific, especially when referring to representation.

No, their meanings and implications can vary by country.

Yes, but not all lawyers are necessarily attorneys.

Yes, lawyers can draft and advise on legal documents.

No, but becoming an attorney might require additional qualifications in some jurisdictions.

Typically, no. Representation often requires an active license.

The term "lawyer" is older, as it refers to anyone trained in law.

Yes, depending on licensing and qualifications for each state.