Attorney at law

Attorney at law or attorney-at-law

Attorney at law or attorney-at-law, usually shortened in everyday speech to attorney, is the official name for a lawyer in certain countries, including Japan, Sri Lanka and the United States.


The term was also used in England and Wales for lawyers who practised in the common law courts. In 1873, however, attorneys were redesignated solicitors (which had always been the title for those lawyers who practised in the courts of equity). Attorneys did not generally actually appear as advocates in the higher courts, a role reserved (as it still generally is) for barristers.