Tuesday, November 9, 2010

What's the difference between a lawyer and an attorney?



In the United States, the terms lawyer and attorney are used as synonyms--that is, they are used interchangeably.   However, there is a difference between the two terms.

The term attorney is really short for "attorney-at-law" who is a member of the legal profession.  An attorney is licensed and qualified to represent a client in the court of law, act on behalf of the client (if given attorney powers), and defend a case in legal proceedings.

On the other hand, a lawyer is trained in law and provides advice on legal matters.  A lawyer also conducts suits in legal proceedings and represents clients similar to that of an attorney, which is the main reason why these two terms are typically interchanged.

57 comments:

  1. didn't know their was a difference. now i know

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  2. Today I learned something really important! Thanks, I was a little confused about this.

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  3. Ha, good to know. Never really even realized there was a difference.

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  4. dude, awesome post, I didnt actually know the difference before!
    cheers man.

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  5. I never knew there was a difference.

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  6. I can remmeber when I used to watch to be a lawyer.

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  7. Actually didn't know this, great stuff!

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  8. Thanks for the explaination of the difference between these two terms.
    Really interesting :)

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  9. Nice. I didn't know that. But here in Belgium, we have the same difference, but no words to express the actual difference.

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  10. Interesting! soo...attorney > lawyer?

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  11. i suppose there is no difference

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  12. Oh didn't know that, maybe because i don't live in the USA

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  13. Wow. I never knew this. I'm glad someone cleared this up.

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  14. So if I had a need for a legal assistant, which one is better to hire?

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  15. I always wanted to find out that, thanks

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  16. What about solicitor? Or do you not use that term over there?

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  17. very good and clear post! thank you.. it sums up things preety good!

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  18. had no idea - thanks for the knowledge

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  19. Good to know. I need to brush up on my legal skills.

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  20. lo, anybody don't know the differences? -_-
    meh - americans

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  21. So attorneys by definition don't provide advice?

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  22. haha im still not sure im clear on the difference =D sounds like attorney is more useful though

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  23. I never knew that! Thanks great info.

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  24. I watched to be a lawyer when i was a kid

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  25. I didnt know the difference before! ty

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  26. I still don't get the difference... but oh well.

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  27. Great way to explain the differences!

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  28. Did not think there was a difference.

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  29. I never knew this and hope I'll never have to choose between any of them! haha

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  30. I wish this applied over here in the UK

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  31. I like this explanation. It's very clear.

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  32. so which one is saul? better call saul! i love that guy's character, the commercials, his office...everything. "quick, give me a dollar!"

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  33. so which one makes more money?

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  34. I never really got the difference before.

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  35. The definitions seem to similar to me. lol.

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  36. mmmyeah very similar definitions :o seems a lawyer is more educated but w/e

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  37. so thats why theres power of attorney and power of lawyer ....>.> lol

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  38. Ww thanks for clearing this up for me
    Between attorney and lawyers :)

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  39. o i didn't even realize there is a difference...thought they were the same thing this whole time

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  40. one sleeps with you and the other doesn't xD

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