The Difference Between Lawyer and Attorney

There’s a common misconception about attorneys and lawyers being interchangeable terms. While people may think they’re the same, there are disparities between them. One main difference between them is that an attorney must pass the bar exam and become a member of the state bar association.

Meanwhile, a lawyer is anyone who has attended law school and attained a law degree. To put it simply, a lawyer is someone who has studied law, whether they are practicing it or not. An attorney is a specific lawyer that practices law in court.

This means that all attorneys are lawyers, but some lawyers are not attorneys since they don’t practice the law in court. If you need someone to defend you, an attorney is your best bet. But if you’re looking for help with paperwork and other legal matters, you can seek the help of a lawyer. These differences are just the beginning. Let’s dive deeper and learn more about them.

Difference in License

Once lawyers have passed the bar, they are now attorneys who are qualified to represent people in both the civil and criminal courts and give them legal advice.  Meanwhile, lawyers are people who graduated from law school but are not licensed to practice law in court or represent clients. They don’t have the qualifications and additional licenses that attorneys hold. They can take on the role of legal advisors in their specific jurisdiction, such as tax law, elderly law, and estate law, just to name a few. 

Where Can Attorneys Work?

The government needs attorneys for agencies such as the Department of Justice or the Environment Protection Agency. They help the government with tax laws, resolve legal issues and mitigate risks that can affect other organizations and communities. They also represent these branches or agencies in court if need be.

Attorneys can work for private firms as well. These businesses provide legal advice to people who need them. A firm can be small, with a few attorneys and lawyers, or a huge firm with at least a hundred of them. A criminal defense attorney in Iowa or in another state can help you get the justice you deserve.

Non-profit organizations are also part of what attorneys can work for. These institutions may need help on specific issues such as human rights, civil rights, housing laws, and more. They can help resolve issues and connect non-profit leaders with outside professionals and experts that can help their cause. Since these organizations have limited funds, attorneys often offer their services for a meager cost.

What Can Lawyers Do?

Lawyers who have not yet passed the bar can also work for various jurisdictions. While they may be unable to represent people in court, they can practice the law and give legal advice to their clients. Let’s take a look at some examples of these lawyers:

• Business Lawyer – A business lawyer ensures that the company or organization they’re working for operates within the jurisdiction of the state, federal, and local laws. They conduct research, revise company documents, and negotiate contracts for the business they’re working for.
• Entertainment Lawyer – These types of lawyers represent musicians, artists, athletes, actors, and other people from the media. They help these people protect their intellectual property rights like a musician’s musical lyrics or an artist’s artwork. Also, they negotiate contracts for artists and act as a liaison between agents or venues.
• Personal Injury Lawyer – These lawyers represent clients that incurred an injury that was caused by the negligence of others. These professionals typically handle things like car accidents, medical malpractices, and other cases of that nature.
• Tax Lawyers – These lawyers are well-versed in the tax law department. They can work for accounting firms, non-profit organizations, and other corporations as well. They are tasked to handle the tax planning, research, and interpret the tax law for their clients.

In Conclusion

While there are things attorneys can do that lawyers cannot, both practice the law and help people with their legal matters. If you need someone to represent you in court or need to get legal paperwork done, you can contact an attorney or a lawyer. For cases related to criminal offenses, reach out to a criminal lawyer or a criminal defense attorney in Iowa or in other states.