Simple English definitions for legal terms
Read a random definition: United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
An attorney is a person who is allowed to practice law and help others with legal matters. They are also known as lawyers or attorneys-at-law. Sometimes, a person can give someone else the power to act on their behalf, but this person is not necessarily an attorney and is called an attorney-in-fact or private attorney.
An attorney is a person who is authorized to practice law and provide legal advice to clients. They are also known as lawyers or attorneys-at-law. Attorneys are trained in the law and have passed a bar exam to become licensed to practice law in their jurisdiction.
Attorneys can represent clients in court, negotiate legal agreements, and provide legal advice on a variety of issues. They can specialize in different areas of law, such as criminal law, family law, or corporate law.
Additionally, an attorney-in-fact is a person who is authorized to act on behalf of another person, but is not necessarily authorized to practice law. This person is appointed through a power of attorney, which gives them the legal authority to make decisions on behalf of the person who appointed them.
For example, if someone is unable to manage their finances due to illness or disability, they may appoint an attorney-in-fact to handle their financial affairs. The attorney-in-fact can then make decisions about the person's finances, such as paying bills or managing investments.
Another example of an attorney-in-fact is a parent who appoints someone to act as their child's legal guardian in the event that they are unable to care for their child.