legal education and practice

Definition

Against. Abbreviated as v. and vs. Used in case names, e.g. McDonald v. Chicago, 130 S.Ct. 3020 (2010). 

Definition

An abbreviation for contract.

See also

• Contract implied in fact

• Contract implied in law

Definition

The revocation of a lawyer’s license to practice law, usually as a result of a violation of professional ethics.

Disbarment may be imposed by the state bar association if a lawyer commits an offense that directly relates to his or her fitness to practice law. Such offenses may include dishonesty, fraud, felony, substance abuse, abuse of public office, or “conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice.”

Definition

A written examination that a person must pass in order to obtain a license to practice law.

Definition

A professional organization of lawyers.

State bar associations, which are usually created by state statute, often require membership for anyone desiring to practice law in that state. Such organizations have the authority to regulate the legal profession by disciplining lawyers or formally bringing lawsuits against them.

Local bar associations, which have voluntary membership, are organized at the county or city level.

Definition

The Bachelor of Laws (abbreviated LL.B., LLB, or rarely, Ll.B.) is an undergraduate degree in law generally offered after three or more years of college, and then three years of study of the law.

This degree originated in England and traditionally offered in most common law countries as the primary law degree.  In the United States, the degree has been replaced by the J.D. (Juris Doctor), and many common law countries  have or are in the process of phasing out their LL.B. degrees in favor of the J.D.

Definition

The amount billed to a client for legal services performed on his or her behalf. Attorney's fees may be an hourly, flat (for a particular service, e.g. $10,000 to handle all aspects of a DUI case) or contingent fee (a percentage of client's recovery, e.g. 33%). Attorney's fees may be set by an attorney-client compensation agreement or in certain types of cases, by statute or a court. 

Definition

Written or oral materials prepared by or for an attorney in the course of legal representation, especially in preparation for litigation. Generally, an opposing party may not discover or compel disclosure of work product. In limited circumstances, however, an opposing party may discover or compel disclosure of work product upon a showing of "substantial need" and "undue hardship." Fed. R. Evid.

Definition

A rule that an opposing party generally may not discover or compel disclosure of written or oral materials prepared by or for an attorney in the course of legal representation, especially in preparation for litigation. In limited circumstances, however, an opposing party may discover or compel disclosure of work product upon a showing of "substantial need" and "undue hardship." 

Definition

Someone authorized to practice law; a lawyer. Also called attorney and public attorney.

Illustrative caselaw

See, e.g. Supreme Court of Virginia v. Consumers Union of U.S., Inc., 446 U.S. 719 (1980).