What's the Difference Between: A Lawyer, Solicitor, Advocate, Barrister, Counselor, and an Attorney?

Have you ever wondered where all these somewhatcourtroom, conducting research, interviewing clients
confusing terms came from? Well the answer is theyand witnesses, and handling other details in preparation
are all types of Lawyers originated from various legalfor trial.
systems. Some of the terms are from the English legalLawyers types:
system, some are from Scotland and some from theThe legal system affects nearly every aspect of our
American legal system.society, from buying a home to crossing the street.
An Attorney is somebody legally empowered toLawyers hold positions of great responsibility and are
represent another person, or act on their behalf.obligated to adhere to a strict code of ethics.
A Lawyer is somebody who can give legal advice andThe more detailed aspects of a lawyer’s job
has been trained in the law.depend upon his or her field of specialization and
Are Attorney and Lawyer are synonyms? Basicallyposition. Although all lawyers are licensed to represent
yes, but they are not necessarily Interchangeableparties in court, some appear in court more frequently
terms, you cannot for instance say I give you thethan others.
Power of a Lawyer, but you definitely might say I giveLawyers may specialize in a number of different
you the power of Attorney...areas, such as bankruptcy, probate, international, or
Look again at the above definitions, does it now makeelder law. Those specializing in environmental law, for
any sense? Off course it does.example, may represent public-interest groups, waste
An attorney in fact is an agent who conducts businessdisposal companies, or construction firms in their
under authority that is controlled and limited by adealings with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
written document called a letter, or power, of attorney(EPA) and other Federal and State agencies. These
granted by the principal. An attorney at law is anlawyers help clients prepare and file for licenses and
officer of a court of law authorized to represent theapplications for approval before certain activities may
person employing him (the client) in legal proceedings.occur. In addition, they represent clients’ interests in
A Solicitor- One that solicits, especially one that seeksadministrative adjudications.
trade or contributions. The chief law officer of a city,Some lawyers concentrate in the growing field of
town, or government department but does not act asintellectual property, helping to protect clients’ claims
an advocate in court, as opposed to the Attorney whoto copyrights, artwork under contract, product designs,
pleads in court. (English Law).and computer programs. Still other lawyers advise
A Barrister(Called Advocate in Scotland) presents theinsurance companies about the legality of insurance
case in court. Most senior and distinguished barristerstransactions, writing insurance policies to conform with
are designated King's (Queen's) counsel.the law and to protect companies from unwarranted
A Counselor at law- In the past at least in some U.Sclaims.
states there was a distinction between the term AMost lawyers are found in private practice, where they
Counselor at Law who argued the case in court andconcentrate on criminal or civil law. In criminal law,
an attorney who prepared the case but didn’tlawyers represent individuals who have been charged
argue it.with crimes and argue their cases in courts of law.
Nowadays an attorney at law is authorized toAttorneys dealing with civil law assist clients with
exercise all the functions of a practicing lawyer. All oflitigation, wills, trusts, contracts, mortgages, titles, and
them must, however, like the ordinary attorney, beleases. Other lawyers handle only public-interest
admitted to the bar. The term attorney is also used forcases—civil or criminal—which may have an
county, state, and federal prosecuting officers, asimpact extending well beyond the individual client.
county attorney, district attorney, and attorney general.These issues might involve patents, government
Lawyers, also called attorneys, act as both advocatesregulations, and contracts with other companies,
and advisors in our society. As advocates, theyproperty interests, or collective-bargaining agreements
represent one of the parties in criminal and civil trials bywith unions.
presenting evidence and arguing in court to supportOther lawyers work for legal-aid societies—private,
their client. As advisors, lawyers counsel their clientsnonprofit organizations established to serve
concerning their legal rights and obligations and suggestdisadvantaged people. These lawyers generally handle
particular courses of action in business and personalcivil, rather than criminal, cases. A relatively small
matters. Although all lawyers are licensed to representnumber of trained attorneys work in law schools.
parties in court, some appear in court more frequentlyThe real life situations have created “specialties”
than others. Trial lawyers, who specialize in trial work,according to business profitability. This is how terms like
must be able to think quickly and speak with ease andVioxx Lawyer, DUI Attorney, Lemon Law Lawyer ,
authority. In addition, familiarity with courtroom rules andStructured Settlements Lawyer and others came
strategy is particularly important in trial work. Still, trialabout.
lawyers spend the majority of their time outside the