lawyer

USAGE SUMMARY

"lawyer" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the word lawyer to refer to a person who has studied law and is qualified to practice it. Example sentence: My brother is a lawyer, so he gives me legal advice when I need it.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

John is a lawyer: slick, conniving and low.

The Guardian - Film

"What the government's decision today means is that a group of vulnerable men, women and children will not be sent back to their persecutors in Sri Lanka and I want to take a moment to thank the minister and the prime minister for showing some compassion to these people," said George Newhouse, a lawyer who brought the case.

The Guardian

Redactions marked in the text were made by the US government when Mohamedou Ould Slahi's diary was cleared for public release Listen to live and recorded readings by Brian Eno, Colin Firth and others, as well as a panel discussion with Slahi's lawyer and brother about this remarkable account of imprisonment.

The Guardian

And do national identities play a part in that?" When Kaye Campbell was offered the screenwriting job, he told the producers he could not go ahead until he had met E Randol Schoenberg, the US lawyer (played in the film by Ryan Reynolds) who gave up his job to help the octogenarian Altmann pursue her case.

The Guardian - Arts

Just before Easter, News Corp Australia reached a confidential settlement with the human rights lawyer George Newhouse over an allegedly defamatory article by its star columnist and host of Ten's The Bolt Report, Andrew Bolt.

The Guardian

Lamb, a former employment lawyer, is more aligned with the politics of the coalition, having served as minister for care and support.

The Guardian

"It's sort of an open secret among attorneys that regularly make police station visits, this place – if you can't find a client in the system, odds are they're there," said Chicago lawyer Julia Bartmes.

The Guardian

For the record, there was no indication at the time of writing that any other of the staff positions in the White House was at risk or that anyone would need a lawyer.

The Guardian

Facebook Twitter Google plus Share Share this post Facebook Twitter Google plus close 1.27pm BST13:27 Q: Miranda was offered a lawyer, but refused to have one.

The Guardian

Shadi Sadr, a London-based Iranian lawyer with the rights group Justice for Iran, told the Guardian that the case against Razieh Ebrahimi - also known as Maryan - underlined a hidden social and legal issue in Iran.

The Guardian

Several police forces could be investigated over their handling of sexual abuse allegations against Jimmy Savile after the police watchdog confirmed that an inquiry was a possibility and a lawyer representing alleged victims said there were urgent questions to be answered.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "attorney" interchangeably with "lawyer" to add variety to your writing.

Common error

Avoid assuming all lawyers have the same expertise. If you need a "lawyer", ensure they specialize in the relevant area of law for your specific issue.

Linguistic Context

Lawyer functions primarily as a noun, denoting a professional qualified to practice law. It identifies an individual's occupation, as shown in Ludwig's examples where individuals are described as a "lawyer" for various organizations or with specific specializations. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage as a noun.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "lawyer" is a very common and grammatically sound noun used to describe a professional authorized to practice law. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is correct across various contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media and Formal & Business settings, "lawyer" denotes a specific role and expertise. When using the term, it's beneficial to specify the area of law in which the "lawyer" specializes to provide greater clarity. Alternatives include "attorney at law" and "legal counsel", each offering slight variations in formality and emphasis. Understanding these nuances ensures precise and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attorney at law

A more formal term for a lawyer, emphasizing their official capacity to represent clients.

legal counsel

Focuses on the advisory role of a lawyer, providing guidance on legal matters.

barrister

Specifically refers to a lawyer who is specialized in courtroom advocacy.

solicitor

Refers to a lawyer who typically handles legal matters outside of court.

legal representative

Highlights the role of a lawyer as someone who acts on behalf of their client.

advocate

Emphasizes the lawyer's role in supporting and pleading the case of their client.

legal advisor

Focuses on the lawyer's role in providing advice and guidance on legal matters.

counselor at law

An older and more formal title for a lawyer, similar to attorney at law.

member of the bar

Highlights the lawyer's membership in the legal profession and their qualifications to practice law.

legal professional

A broader term that encompasses various roles within the legal field, including lawyers.

FAQs

What's the difference between a "lawyer" and an attorney?

The terms "lawyer" and "attorney" are often used interchangeably. However, "attorney" specifically refers to someone who is qualified and admitted to practice law.

What are some common types of lawyers?

Common types of lawyers include "corporate lawyers", criminal defense lawyers, family lawyers, and real estate lawyers, among many others.

When should I hire a lawyer?

You should consider hiring a "lawyer" when you face significant legal issues, such as involvement in a lawsuit, dealing with complex contracts, or facing criminal charges.

What skills and qualities are important in a good lawyer?

Important skills for a good "lawyer" include strong analytical and research abilities, excellent communication skills, attention to detail, and a commitment to ethical conduct.