LAWYER AND ATTORNEY: IS THERE A
DIFFERENCE?
Who Are Lawyers?
A lawyer
is someone who is educated in the law. A person who has been educated in the
law will always be addressed as a lawyer, even if he or she does not give legal
advice to other people. In fact, a lawyer in the United States is simply anyone
who has gone through law school.
However, the lawyer who has just completed law school may not be allowed
to do certain legal jobs (e.g. representive you in court) until they
successfully pass the bar
exam that is conducted in the specific legal area they wish to
practice.
Who Are Attorneys?
Attorneys
are also recognized as lawyers. Attorneys graduate from law school and they can
also choose to practice law as a profession. However a potential attorney must
pass the bar exam to be eligible to practice law within a specific
jurisdiction. Apart from performing the basic functions of a lawyer, attorneys
can also act as legal representatives for their clients. An attorney does not
just interpret the law; he or she also applies his knowledge of the law to
provide the needs of his client. Attorneys act as lawyers but not all lawyers
can perform the work of attorneys.
How Can I Find a Qualified Attorney?
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Other differences:
One of the
essential steps involved in becoming an attorney is sitting for the bar exam.
This is usually a rigorous test lasting two or three days and in many states
the passing rate is below 50%. Conversely, a lawyer may work as a technical
lawyer by serving as a consultant or policy advisor although he is not
empowered to act as a legal representative.
Another
term that is often misunderstood in law is "esquire". The term is an
informal title for acknowledging educated people in the UK. Apart from being a
title for solicitors and barristers (terms also used in the UK for legal
professionals), it is also used to honor doctors and those that have successfully
completed their doctorate courses. In the US, "esquire" is mostly
used as a title for attorneys. Other people in the US who use the term
"esquire" as a title may find themselves in trouble especially if
they do the things that are solely reserved for lawyers.
Although
it is possible to differentiate these terms, the real meaning of the words can
only be appreciated by a lawyer. Many people just feel safe to interchange
these terms inasmuch as the lawyer in charge of their case also acts as an
attorney.
Everyday,
people make use of the words "attorney" and "lawyer" on
televisions and newspapers. Sometimes, our family and friends may also talk
about their need for a lawyer or attorney. These words are often interpreted to
mean the same, but they are actually two different things. Although there is
little difference between them, state bar associations consider it very
important to use them appropriately, especially in cases where the practice of
law is investigated. However, the two words are often interchanged in the
United States.
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