
What Is An Attorney?
What is an Attorney?
Outside of television shows or movies, you may have no knowledge of what lawyers are or what they do. While fictional depictions can be helpful, they are not always accurate. The following are a few commonly asked questions about lawyers.
Q. What exactly is a lawyer or Attorney?
A. A lawyer (also called attorney, counsel, or counselor) is a licensed professional who advises and represents others in legal matters. Today’s lawyer can be young or old, male or female. Nearly one–third of all lawyers are under thirty–five years old. Almost half of the law students today are women, and women may ultimately be as numerous in the profession as men.
Q. I come from another country, and I need to hire a lawyer. Are notaries public lawyers?
A. A “notary public,” an “accountant,” or a “certified public accountant” is not necessarily a lawyer. Do not assume that titles such as notary public mean the same thing as similar terms in your own language. In some countries, a lawyer is called a “barrister” or a “solicitor.”
Q. What are a lawyer’s main duties?
A. A lawyer has two main duties: to uphold the law while also protecting a client’s rights. To carry out these duties, a lawyer should understand the law and be an effective communicator.
Q. Is most of a lawyer’s time spent in court?
A. No. Most lawyers normally spend more time in an office than in a courtroom. The practice of law most often involves researching legal developments, investigating facts, writing and preparing legal documents, giving advice, and settling disputes.
Q. What are the professional requirements for becoming a lawyer?
A. To understand how laws and the legal system work, lawyers must go through special schooling. Each state has enacted standards that must be met before a person is licensed to practice law there. Before being allowed to practice law in most states, a person must:
- Have a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent.
- Complete three years at an ABA-accredited law school.
- Pass a state bar examination, which usually lasts for two or three days. The exam tests knowledge in selected areas of law. There are also required tests on professional ethics and responsibility.
- Pass a character and fitness review. Applicants for law licenses must be approved by a committee that investigates character and background.
- Take an oath, usually swearing to support the laws and the state and federal constitutions.
- Receive a license from the highest court in the state, usually the state supreme court.
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