Lawyers and Attorneys

A lawyer is a person qualified to give legal advice who advises clients in legal matters. Some lawyers represent clients in courts of law and in other forms of dispute resolution. Law is a theoretical and abstract discipline, and working as a lawyer represents the "practical" application of legal theory and knowledge to solve real problems or to advance the interests of those who retain (i.e., hire) lawyers for legal services. The role of the lawyer varies significantly across legal jurisdictions, and therefore can be treated here in only the most general terms.