What is an Attorney?
Most people are familiar with the term attorney, but are not quite sure exactly what they are, and what they do. Continue reading for a full and informative breakdown of what an attorney is, what they do, and how they can help you handle your case.
Is There a Difference Between a Lawyer and an Attorney?
The term “attorney” is commonly confused or interchanged with the term “lawyer”, though there is a difference between the two.
A lawyer is a law professional who has a formal educational background and degree in law, but they may not actually practice law by representing clients in court. Instead, a lawyer may practice as a legal researcher, a law professor, or they may provide services writing up legal documents or contracts.
As attorneys not only attend law school but pass a bar exam as well, they are qualified to actually practice law by providing representation to their clients in court. In short, an attorney can provide the services that a lawyer can provide, but a lawyer is not qualified to provide the services that an attorney can provide.
What Do Attorneys Do?
An attorney is a licensed law professional that provides their clients with legal counsel and representation in court.
Attorneys provide the following services:
- Provide representation for their clients in court
- Provide criminal defense or prosecution services in a court of law
- Provide professional counsel and advice to their clients on various legal concerns or questions
- Examine evidence presented for a case
- Conduct research on laws pertaining to their client’s case
- Meet with judges
- Request appeals
- Request damages (compensation) for injuries pertaining to the case
Attorneys provide services for the following courts of law:
- Criminal Law
- Family Law
- Real Estate Law
- Employment Law
- Immigration Law
- Business Law
- Personal Injury Law
- Government Law
- Bankruptcy Law
- Wills, Trusts, and Estates
- Defective Products Law
- Intellectual Property Law
Requirements for Becoming an Attorney
In order to become a licensed attorney at law, an individual must first achieve their bachelor’s degree and complete law school in order to achieve their Juris Doctor (JD) degree. After their schooling is complete, they must pass a state bar exam regulated by the American Bar Association (ABA) in order to become licensed to practice law. When this is successfully completed, the individual is now a licensed attorney at law, and can begin representing clients in a court of law.
Do I Need to Hire an Attorney?
While you do have the option of representing yourself in a court of law, most people do not have the legal knowledge that is required to completely and accurately examine all aspects of evidence and present a solid defense or argument in court. For this reason, it is always recommended to seek the professional assistance and guidance of an attorney at law in order to ensure that your case is resolved as best as possible.
Jeremy Bryant Law is here to provide you with legal counsel and representation, no matter the situation you are facing. To learn more about us, visit our site or give us a call at 606-261-7381 for a free consultation.