lawyer to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lawyer to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the role or position of a lawyer in relation to a specific client or case. Example: "She is the lawyer to the high-profile defendant in the ongoing trial."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He also hired a lawyer to sue.

The New York Times

I've told my lawyer to sell up".

The Guardian - Sport

Luce dashed to another lawyer to check.

The New Yorker

She will appoint a stand-by lawyer to offer advice.

The New York Times

He declined, through his lawyer, to comment for this article.

The New York Times

His lawyer will call your lawyer to try to settle.

The New York Times

He declined a request through his lawyer to be interviewed.

The New York Times

And another lawyer to sue the first lawyer.

The New Yorker

"And then get a lawyer to prove my innocence".

The New York Times

"She did not become a lawyer to be a lawyer.

The New York Times

He wrote to his lawyer to explain the relevant procedures.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When clarity is paramount, specify the area of law your "lawyer to" specializes in, such as "real estate lawyer to" or "divorce lawyer to", for better understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "lawyer to" without specifying the context or client. The phrase is most effective when it clarifies the lawyer's specific role or connection. For example, instead of saying "He's a lawyer to the company", specify "He's the lead trial lawyer to the company" or "He is the in-house lawyer to the company".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lawyer to" functions as a descriptor, indicating the relationship between a lawyer and a client or a specific role. Ludwig confirms its usability. It is frequently used to specify a lawyer's involvement or association, as shown in the numerous examples where individuals "hired a lawyer to" perform a specific action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lawyer to" is a commonly used phrase that effectively identifies the relationship between a lawyer and a client, case, or role. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used in various contexts, including News & Media, Wiki, and Formal & Business settings. While alternatives such as "legal counsel for" or "attorney representing" can be used, "lawyer to" provides a clear and concise way to specify a lawyer's involvement. To avoid overgeneralization, it's often best to clarify the lawyer's specific area of expertise or role. Pay attention to which sources use this phrase as not all are the same (e.g. academic versus news). Therefore, always choose "lawyer to" when you want to indicate the professional involvement in easy to understand, clear way.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

legal counsel for

Replaces "lawyer" with a more formal term, emphasizing the advisory role.

attorney representing

Uses "attorney" instead of "lawyer" and highlights the act of representation.

legal representative of

Focuses on the representative function of a lawyer.

counselor to

Emphasizes the advisory and guidance aspects of a lawyer's role.

solicitor for

A term more commonly used in the UK legal system.

barrister representing

Specifies a type of lawyer (barrister) and their representational role.

legal advisor to

Highlights the advisory function of the lawyer.

advocate for

Emphasizes the lawyer's role as a supporter and promoter of the client's interests.

defense counsel for

Specifically refers to a lawyer representing the defendant.

prosecuting attorney for

Specifically refers to a lawyer acting on behalf of the prosecution.

FAQs

How can I use "lawyer to" in a sentence?

You can use "lawyer to" to describe a lawyer's role or connection to a client or case. For example, "She is the "legal counsel for" the defendant in the ongoing trial".

What are some alternatives to saying "lawyer to"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "attorney representing", "legal representative of", or "counselor to".

Is it correct to say "attorney to" instead of "lawyer to"?

While "attorney" and "lawyer" are often used interchangeably, "lawyer to" is generally more common. You can also use "attorney representing" for a more formal tone.

When should I specify the type of lawyer when using "lawyer to"?

It's helpful to specify the type of lawyer (e.g., "real estate lawyer to", "divorce lawyer to") when the context requires clarification and precision. This ensures clarity about the lawyer's area of expertise.