attorney

An attorney is someone authorized to practice law; a lawyer, also called attorney-at-law.

Less commonly, an agent authorized to act on behalf of another person, but not necessarily authorized to practice law, e.g. a person authorized to act by a power of attorney. Also called attorney-in-fact and private attorney.

See, e.g. Savings Bank v. Ward, 100 U.S. 195 (1879)

See also:

• Attorney's fees
• Pro se

[Last reviewed in March of 2025 by the Wex Definitions Team]

Wex

• THE LEGAL PROCESS
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