Attorney vs. lawyer: what’s the difference?
The short answer
In American English the two are mostly used interchangeably. Strictly, lawyer is anyone trained and qualified in law, while attorney (short for attorney-at-law) is a lawyer licensed to act for clients. In British English, lawyer is the usual general word, and attorney is rare outside phrases like power of attorney.
What they have in common
Both attorney and lawyer refer to legal professionals who are qualified to offer legal advice and represent clients in legal matters.
Examples
attorney
- She consulted an attorney about her case.
- The attorney presented strong arguments in court.
- He hired an attorney to handle the legal matter.
lawyer
- She dreams of becoming a lawyer one day.
- The lawyer provided valuable counsel on the issue.
- He is a corporate lawyer specializing in mergers and acquisitions.
Which one is more common?
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