What is the Difference Between a Lawyer and Attorney

Often the words ‘Lawyer’ and ‘Attorney’ are used interchangeably by many people in the United States. It is easy for those outside the legal arena to confuse the terms. However, in reality, a slight difference does exist. Eric Thole, attorney at law, here explains the subtle difference between both. It enables you to make the right call while hiring your legal representative in a court of law.

What Qualifies Someone For A Lawyer?

A lawyer is a person who has earned a law degree or Juris Doctor (JD) from a law school but may not practice law. They can only give you legal advice.

What Qualifies Someone For An Attorney?

An attorney is a person who has a law degree and also practices it in a court of law. The person has passed the bar examination and can represent you in the court apart from giving you legal advice.

Licensing Requirements for Attorneys in the USA

●    State Bar Exam

No matter how many legal degrees lawyers have, they cannot legally practice law in a given US state without passing that State's Bar Examination. A qualified attorney will have passed bar exams in several states in the US. 

●    Character and Fitness Review

An attorney must have the ability to display diligence, honesty, reliability, and trustworthiness to clients. Note that the practice of law involves finances in high stake endeavors. Therefore, a qualified attorney must undergo moral character and fitness reviews to gauge the ethical makeup for licensing.

●    Oath

Every attorney has to take a legally binding oath to get the license. It is for upholding the codes and the Constitution of the United States.

Choosing the Right Attorney for Your Case

The process of finding an attorney right for you can be frustrating. Eric Thole advises you to meet with more than one attorney, ask the right questions. Go with the one that makes you feel comfortable discussing your case.

Remember, all qualified attorneys will offer a free initial consultation. Use it to evaluate the relevant fitment of attorney for you and your case.

Some Questions You Must Ask An Attorney

●     Ask about how much experience they have in handling cases similar to yours

●     Enquire about their success rate.

●     Question how frequently they take a case to trial compared to settling it.

●     Get clarity on who will work with you during the case - the attorney themself or a paralegal?

●     Clarify whether they take cases on a contingency fee basis or not

●     Talk about how much money you have to pay in addition to their fees.

●     Ask about the number of years of their practicing law.

●     What kind of resources and tools does your law firm have to help me with my claim?

Eric Thole, attorney at law, advises you to listen carefully to the answers attorneys give. Evaluate whether they are rushing for it or responding calmly. Also, keep an eye on their listening skills.

Conclusion

Identifying the difference between a lawyer and an attorney is critical. Eric Thole advises you not to forget to check with your State's Bar Association for the distinct requirements for a law license. Ultimately, a qualified attorney must be the person who listens patiently to you and explains the legal course without legal jargon.

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