shrewd lawyer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "shrewd lawyer" is correct in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who is skilled and knowledgeable in the law. For example, "The defendant was lucky to have such a shrewd lawyer representing them in court."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

But with a shrewd lawyer, even the well-off can reshuffle their assets until they qualify.For low-paid workers, Medicaid's very generosity creates perverse incentives.

The Economist

That would be welcome in itself as a shrewd lawyer would no doubt be as quick to point out as a sharp economist.

The Economist

His condition was invoked in both series: humorously on "Curb," and dramatically on "The Good Wife," where he played a shrewd lawyer who used his symptoms to sway a jury.

The New York Times - Arts

Intellectually brilliant and superbly educated, Cruz presents himself as a shrewd lawyer who can use sacred texts -- the Bible and the U.S. Constitution -- to force the courts and Congress to make America a conservative utopia.

Huffington Post

But, oddly for a shrewd lawyer and landowner who has lived his whole life in the ambrosial isles, he fails to mention that Hawaii is crumbling under the blows of cultural and environmental devastation.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

So its representatives on the committee — some shrewd lawyers who are also ministers — are negotiating with the citizens to thrash out a compromise.

The New York Times

"Godspell" is attempting to bring youthful energy and new investors to an old-guard industry that has always depended on the kindness of real-estate moguls and divorcees with shrewd lawyers.

The New York Times

But such wrinkles are where shrewd lawyers make their fortunes!

Huffington Post

Shrewd lawyering: in President Truman's time, Congress failed to predict Obamacare.

Huffington Post

Richie Phillips, a boisterous, street-shrewd lawyer who quintupled the salaries of major league baseball umpires as their union representative, then caused many of them to lose their jobs by having them resign en masse, died Friday at his home in Cape May, N.J.

The New York Times - Sports

The unlikely hero of this wartime tale was Ewen Montagu, a shrewd criminal lawyer and workaholic with a prematurely receding hairline and a penchant for stinky cheese — proving once again that not all spies are dashing romantic figures.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a lawyer as a "shrewd lawyer", provide specific examples of their shrewdness, such as successful case outcomes or clever legal strategies. This adds credibility to the description.

Common error

Avoid simply labeling a lawyer as "shrewd" without providing any supporting evidence or context. This can make the description seem generic and lacking in depth. Instead, illustrate their shrewdness with specific actions or qualities.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shrewd lawyer" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "shrewd" modifies the noun "lawyer". It serves to describe a particular type of lawyer characterized by their intelligence and astuteness. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "shrewd lawyer" is used to describe an attorney known for their intelligence, astuteness, and strategic thinking. Grammatically correct, the phrase functions as a noun phrase, with "shrewd" serving as a modifier. While generally appropriate in professional and formal contexts, it is most often found in "News & Media". According to Ludwig, the phrase conveys a neutral register and is used to characterize and identify a specific type of lawyer. While considered rare, providing specific examples is recommended to make the description more credible. Alternative phrases include "astute attorney", "canny legal expert", and "sharp legal mind".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

astute attorney

Replaces "shrewd" with "astute", emphasizing the lawyer's intelligence and discernment.

canny legal expert

Uses "canny" instead of "shrewd", highlighting the lawyer's practical intelligence and resourcefulness.

sharp legal mind

Focuses on the lawyer's intellectual acuity, using "sharp" to convey intelligence.

clever advocate

Replaces "lawyer" with "advocate" and "shrewd" with "clever", emphasizing skill in argumentation.

resourceful legal counsel

Highlights the lawyer's ability to find clever and effective solutions, substituting "shrewd" with "resourceful".

wise legal strategist

Emphasizes the lawyer's strategic thinking and good judgment using the word "wise".

insightful legal professional

Focuses on the lawyer's ability to understand complex legal issues, using "insightful" as a replacement for "shrewd".

skillful legal negotiator

Highlights the lawyer's proficiency in negotiation, emphasizing practical skill.

intelligent legal representative

A more formal alternative, using "intelligent" to describe the lawyer's mental capacity.

accomplished barrister

Uses "accomplished" and "barrister" for a more sophisticated and specialized tone, changing the focus to proven skill.

FAQs

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

You can use "shrewd lawyer" to describe an attorney known for their cleverness and strategic thinking, such as, "The company hired a "shrewd lawyer" to handle the complex merger negotiations".

What are some alternatives to "shrewd lawyer"?

Alternatives to "shrewd lawyer" include "astute attorney", "canny legal expert", or "sharp legal mind". These phrases offer similar connotations of intelligence and skill.

What qualities define a "shrewd lawyer"?

A "shrewd lawyer" is typically characterized by their intelligence, strategic thinking, and ability to navigate complex legal situations effectively. They often possess a keen understanding of the law and human behavior.

Is it appropriate to use "shrewd lawyer" in formal writing?

Yes, "shrewd lawyer" is generally appropriate in formal writing, particularly when describing someone's professional capabilities. However, it's essential to maintain a neutral tone and provide factual examples to support the description.