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Law vocabulary · Legal Professions

Attorney

Meaning in law, with examples

/əˈtɜːni/nounCore term

In law, attorney means: A lawyer, especially in the United States, who is licensed to advise clients and represent them in court; more generally, a person allowed to act for someone else.

In Turkish: avukat, vekil

How it is used

The standard American word, often in 'attorney at law' and 'defense attorney'. In the UK it appears mainly in 'power of attorney' and in the title 'Attorney General'. The plural is 'attorneys'.

Example sentences

  1. Her attorney advised her not to comment on the case in public.

  2. The firm employs forty attorneys in its New York office.

Common collocations

  • defense attorney
  • attorney at law
  • retain an attorney
  • attorney's fees
  • lawyerA person trained and qualified in law who advises clients and represents them in legal matters; the general word that covers attorneys, solicitors and barristers.
  • counselThe lawyer or lawyers who represent a party in court; in the UK it often means a barrister. A lawyer employed by a company is called in-house counsel.
  • power of attorneyA legal document that gives one person the authority to act for another in legal or financial matters, such as signing contracts or managing a bank account.
  • law firmA business in which lawyers work together to provide legal services to clients, often organised as a partnership.
  • clientA person or organisation that receives advice or services from a lawyer or law firm and pays for them.

More terms: Legal Professions

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not legal advice.