Attorney
An attorney, or more formally an attorney-at-law, is a professional who is licensed to practice law in a particular jurisdiction. An attorney acts as an advocate, advisor, and representative for their clients in legal matters.[1] The term is primarily used in the United States and is often used interchangeably with lawyer.
To act as an attorney, an individual must typically pass a jurisdiction's bar examination and be admitted to the bar, which grants them the authority to represent clients in legal proceedings, such as in court.
Terminology: Attorney vs. Lawyer
In the United States, the terms "attorney" and "lawyer" are often used as synonyms, but they have a subtle technical distinction:
- A lawyer is a person who has been educated in the law and holds a law degree (such as a Juris Doctor (J.D.)).
- An attorney is a lawyer who has been licensed to practice law by passing a bar exam and being admitted to a state bar.[2]
Essentially, all practicing attorneys are lawyers, but not all lawyers are licensed attorneys. A person with a law degree who has not passed a bar exam is a lawyer but not an attorney and cannot legally represent clients.
Roles and Responsibilities
The primary duties of an attorney are centered on the representation and counsel of their client. These responsibilities include:
- Providing Legal Advice: Interpreting laws, rulings, and regulations for individuals and businesses and advising them on their legal rights and responsibilities.
- Representing Clients: Acting as an advocate for a client in legal proceedings, such as civil lawsuits or criminal trials, by presenting evidence and making legal arguments.
- Drafting Legal Documents: Preparing and reviewing legal documents such as contracts, wills, deeds, leases, and corporate filings.
- Negotiation: Negotiating settlements, plea bargains, and other agreements on behalf of their clients to resolve legal disputes outside of court.[3]
Education and Licensing
In the United States, the path to becoming a licensed attorney is a lengthy and regulated process:
- Undergraduate Degree: A four-year bachelor's degree from a college or university is the first requirement.
- Law School: Candidates must then earn a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association, a process that typically takes three years.
- Bar Examination: After graduating from law school, an individual must pass the bar examination in the state where they wish to practice. The bar exam is a multi-day test that assesses knowledge of general legal principles and the specific laws of that state.[4]
- Character and Fitness Review: Applicants must also pass a character and fitness evaluation by the state bar association, which scrutinizes an applicant's past conduct for any issues that would disqualify them from practicing law.
Upon successful completion of all steps, the individual is sworn in as a member of the bar.
Professional ethics
Attorneys are bound by a strict code of professional ethics, often called the Rules of Professional Conduct. A central tenet of these rules is the attorney–client privilege, which ensures that communications between an attorney and their client are kept confidential. Attorneys have a fiduciary duty to act in the best interest of their clients with loyalty and care.
See also
References
- ↑ Attorney. American Bar Association. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
- ↑ The Legal Definition of Attorney. Merriam-Webster Legal Dictionary. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
- ↑ What Lawyers Do. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
- ↑ How to Become a Lawyer. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved 8 October 2025.