Meaning
An attorney is a person who is legally qualified to represent and advise clients in legal matters. In the United States, it usually refers to a lawyer who practices law and can appear in court.
Grammar and Usage
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Part of speech: Noun
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Countable: an attorney / attorneys
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Often used with "at law" → attorney-at-law
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Common structures:
- an attorney for [someone]
- attorney at law
- district attorney
Common Phrases
- attorney-at-law – a lawyer licensed to practice law.
- district attorney (DA) – a public prosecutor representing the government.
- power of attorney – a legal document that gives someone the authority to act on another person’s behalf.
Collocations
- criminal attorney
- defense attorney
- corporate attorney
- attorney-client privilege
- appoint an attorney
- consult an attorney
Examples
- She hired an attorney to handle her divorce case.
- The attorney advised him not to answer any questions without legal counsel present.
- He works as a district attorney in New York.
- My father gave me power of attorney to manage his financial affairs.
- The defense attorney argued that there was not enough evidence.
- If you are unsure about the contract, consult an attorney.
- The company has several corporate attorneys to deal with business law.
- Attorney-client privilege protects confidential conversations between a lawyer and their client.
Synonyms or Related
- lawyer
- counsel
- legal representative
- solicitor (UK, similar but not always the same)
- barrister (UK, trial lawyer)
Antonym
- layperson (non-lawyer)
- client
- defendant (when opposite role in court)