Get The Yulys App

Highlights

1. Attorneys can represent clients in court, while lawyers may lack the licensure required to perform courtroom representation.
2. Attorneys must pass the bar exam after law school, while lawyers may or may not have this licensure.
3. Attorneys often handle courtroom cases, while lawyers focus on drafting documents, advising clients, and providing consultations outside of court.
4. Lawyers and attorneys can specialize in family, corporate, or immigration law.

There are many rewarding and challenging careers in the legal field. Two popular roles are attorney and lawyer. While they have some things in common, there are important differences between them.

In this article, we’ll explore the differences between an attorney vs lawyer and also share other legal careers you might find interesting.

Attorney vs Lawyer: Definition 

In the United States, people use "lawyer" and "attorney" similarly. This might lead to the question, "Are an attorney and a lawyer the same thing?"

While these terms may be used interchangeably in casual conversation, there are important differences that law students should understand.

Attorney

The term "attorney" comes from French, meaning to act on behalf of others. "Attorney" is short for "attorney at law." An attorney not only studies law but also practices it in court. In short, an attorney is a lawyer licensed to practice law and can represent clients in court.

Lawyer

The word "lawyer" comes from Middle English and refers to someone trained and educated in law. Lawyers have gone to law school and may have passed the bar exam.

Attorney At Law vs Lawyer Roles

A lawyer has studied law, graduated from law school, and may or may not have passed the bar exam. An attorney, however, is a lawyer who has passed the bar exam and is licensed to practice law.

Lawyer Duties

Although many consider lawyers courtroom figures, most lawyers don’t spend much time in court. Many specialize in real estate or tax law, offering legal advice, drafting documents, negotiating deals, and handling disputes. 

Lawyers may represent clients at administrative hearings or in arbitrations. Moreover, a lawyer's job is to offer legal advice and help clients solve legal issues lawfully and ethically.

Attorney-at-Law Duties

An attorney-at-law has graduated from law school, passed the bar exam, and is licensed to practice law. Like lawyers, attorneys provide legal advice, draft documents, and negotiate deals. However, the key difference between lawyer and attorney is that attorneys can practice law in court.

What’s the Difference Between an Attorney vs Lawyer?

The main difference between an attorney versus lawyer is that attorneys can represent clients in court, while lawyers cannot. All attorneys are lawyers, but not all lawyers are attorneys.

Education and Licensure

Both lawyers and attorneys graduate from law school, but only attorneys have passed the bar exam. The bar exam, given by the state’s bar association, tests knowledge of state and federal laws and takes two to three days to complete.

Law school covers federal and state laws, past cases, and how to apply logic to help clients. Most graduates earn a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, though some may pursue a Master of Laws (LLM), allowing for global specialization in international law, tax law, and human rights law.

Specialization

During law school, both lawyers and attorneys pick an area of law to focus on, like:

1. Real estate law
2. Family law
3. Criminal law
4. Corporate and business law
5. Environmental law
6. Immigration law

Attorneys and lawyers receive extra training in their chosen specialty to gain more expertise. Attorneys generally offer services only in cases related to their specialty.

Lawyer vs Attorney Salary And Jobs

Jobs for Lawyers

Here are some potential career options for lawyers:

Legal Officer

National Average Salary: $82,364 per year

Primary Duties: A legal officer oversees all legal affairs within an organization. This includes handling internal and external legal matters, providing legal advice, conducting research, drafting legal documents, and identifying potential organizational risks.

Lawyer

National Average Salary: $93,741 per year

Primary Duties: Lawyers advise individuals, businesses, and government agencies. They interpret laws, rulings, and regulations and prepare legal documents.

Legal Counsel Lawyer

National Average Salary: $148,617 per year

Primary Duties: Legal counsel lawyers guide corporations or organizations, acting as in-house legal resources. They handle all legal-related matters within the organization and ensure legal compliance.

Jobs for Attorneys

Here are some common roles for attorneys:

Staff Attorney

National Average Salary: $78,839 per year

Primary Duties: Staff attorneys work for a specific organization, managing its legal services. They analyze and research legal issues, offer training for professional development, handle contracts and employment agreements, and protect the organization’s legal rights.

Litigation Attorney

National Average Salary: $134,290 per year

Primary Duties: Litigation attorneys represent clients in court, mediation, and arbitration proceedings. They prepare legal cases, review past cases, meet with clients, draft legal documents, and manage complex legal issues.

Patent Attorney

National Average Salary: $211,351 per year

Primary Duties: Patent attorneys help inventors secure legal rights for their inventions. They provide advice on intellectual property, draft patent applications, and may represent clients in patent infringement cases.

What Are the Types of Lawyers and Attorneys?

Here's a breakdown of some of the different types of lawyers and attorneys and their specializations:

Types of Lawyers

Corporate Lawyer

Specializes in corporate law, focusing on the legal aspects of businesses, including mergers, acquisitions, compliance, and contract law. They often work for large corporations or private law firms.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Represents defendants in criminal cases, providing counsel, negotiating plea deals, and defending clients in court. They work on cases involving theft, assault, drug crimes, and more.

Personal Injury Lawyer

Represents clients injured due to accidents, negligence, or other causes. They help secure compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.

Family Lawyer

Deals with family-related issues like divorce, child custody, alimony, and adoption. They help clients navigate the complexities of family court.

Immigration Lawyer

Assists clients with visa applications, green cards, citizenship, and deportation proceedings. They help clients understand and handle immigration laws.

Employment Lawyer

They focus on labor and employment law and deal with workplace issues such as discrimination, wrongful termination, and wage disputes. They may represent either employees or employers.

Bankruptcy Lawyer

Helps individuals or businesses struggling with debt, guiding them through bankruptcy proceedings, restructuring plans, or negotiations with creditors.

Tax Lawyer

Specializes in tax law, assisting individuals or businesses with tax planning, disputes with tax authorities, and ensuring compliance with tax regulations.

Types of Attorneys

Litigation Attorney

Specializes in representing clients in lawsuits handling all aspects of the litigation process, including pre-trial negotiations, trials, and appeals.

Transactional Attorney

Focuses on legal tasks that don’t involve courtroom appearances, such as drafting contracts, conducting due diligence, and advising on mergers and acquisitions.

Estate Planning Attorney

Assists clients with wills, trusts, and estate management. They help people plan to distribute their assets after death and handle probate matters.

Real Estate Attorney

Handles property transactions, including buying, selling, leasing, and zoning issues. They ensure that real estate deals comply with local, state, and federal laws.

Civil Rights Attorney

Represents clients in cases involving human rights violations, including discrimination, freedom of speech, and unfair treatment by government agencies.

Military Attorney (JAG)

Serves in the military’s legal division, providing legal services to military personnel. They may handle issues ranging from military law to personal legal matters for service members.

Health Care Attorney

Specializes in the legal aspects of the healthcare industry, including regulatory compliance, healthcare fraud, and patient rights.

Are you a lawyer looking for the best place to find remote jobs or local employment opportunities? Yulys has got you covered! Whether you want to work remotely or explore jobs close to home, our platform helps you quickly search for positions that match your expertise. Plus, with our free resume builder, creating a standout resume is simple!

Summary

The main difference between an attorney vs lawyer lies in licensure and courtroom representation. Attorneys represent clients in court, while lawyers provide advice and specialized legal services. Understanding this difference helps clients make informed choices based on their legal needs.

FAQs

Are Attorneys and Lawyers The Same?

Attorneys and lawyers are used interchangeably, but there’s a difference. A lawyer is trained in law, while an attorney is a lawyer who practices law in court.

What Are The Different Kinds Of Attorneys?

Attorneys specialize in various fields, including criminal law, family law, corporate law, personal injury, immigration, and intellectual property. Each type addresses specific legal needs.

What Is Legal Counsel vs. Lawyer?

"Lawyer" is a term for someone trained in law. "Legal counsel" often refers to a lawyer who provides advice and guidance rather than representing clients in court.