Attorney at law

Attorney at Law is a term used primarily in the United States to refer to a practitioner in a court of law who is legally qualified to prosecute and defend actions in court on the retainer of clients. The English word attorney has French origins, meaning "a person acting for another as an agent or deputy."

History

The term "attorney at law" can trace its origins to the Middle Ages in Europe. During this time, there was a distinction between the barrister, who argued cases in court, and the attorney, who prepared cases but did not argue them. In England and Wales, "attorney" is used to refer to a person who conducts business on behalf of another.

Role and Responsibilities

An attorney at law is responsible for advising clients about their legal rights and obligations and to represent clients in civil or criminal cases, business transactions, and other matters in which legal advice and other assistance are sought. They are also responsible for conducting research and analysis of legal problems, interpreting laws, rulings, and regulations for individuals and businesses, and presenting facts in writing and verbally to their clients or others, and argue on their behalf.

Education and Training

In order to become an attorney at law in the United States, an individual must complete a Bachelor's degree, followed by three years of law school, and then pass the bar examination in the jurisdiction in which they wish to practice.

Regulation

In the United States, the practice of law is conditioned upon admission to the bar of a particular state or other territorial jurisdiction. Regulation of the practice of law is left to the individual states, and their definitions vary.

See Also

• Lawyer
• Solicitor
• Barrister
• Advocate
• Legal profession