There are many fulfilling and challenging career paths within the legal industry. Two common paths in this field include becoming an attorney or a lawyer. Though they share some similarities, there are several differences between these two careers. In this article, we will discuss the differences between an attorney and a lawyer and provide additional legal professions you may be interested in pursuing.
What is an attorney?
An attorney is someone who has graduated from law school and passed the bar exam in the state in which they practice law. In this role, an attorney can act as the legal representation for their clients in a court of law. Additional duties of an attorney include interpreting federal and state laws, applying their knowledge of the law to meet the needs of their clients and keeping careful records that outline their interactions with clients and other legal professionals.
What is a lawyer?
A lawyer is someone who has been educated in the law and has completed law school. They can provide legal advice to others, but they cannot represent clients in court because they have not passed the bar exam. Some lawyers work under attorneys to gain experience in a law firm setting while preparing to take the bar exam. Others choose not to pursue a career as an attorney and work as a consultant or a government advisor without having to take the bar exam.
What is the difference between a lawyer and an attorney?
It is helpful to remember that all attorneys are lawyers, but not all lawyers are attorneys. The major difference is that attorneys can represent clients in court and other legal proceedings, while lawyers cannot.
Education and licensure
The key distinction between these two professionals is the way they use their education. An attorney has taken and passed the bar exam, while a lawyer may or may not have completed this exam. The bar exam is administered by the state's bar association and includes questions that test the knowledge of state-specific laws and general legal principles. The exam typically spans two or three days and takes a lot of time to prepare.
Both lawyers and attorneys have graduated from law school. Coursework in law school focuses on federal and state laws, past cases and how to apply logic and analysis to individual client needs.
In most cases, students who graduate from law school will earn a Juris Doctor (JD) degree. This is the degree that many lawyers and attorneys hold. Another option is the Master of Laws (LLM) degree, which is an advanced certification that gives the holder credibility on a global scale. The curriculum of an LLM program depends on the university offering it. Some focus on international and comparative law, while others include specialized courses in subfields, such as human rights law, tax law, international environmental law or intellectual property.
Specialization
While attending law school, both lawyers and attorneys choose to specialize in an area of the law. When practicing, an individual in either role can provide legal advice and support in the specialization they chose. Some of the most common fields include:
Real estate law
Family law
Criminal law
Intellectual property law
General law
Corporate and business law
Tax law
Bankruptcy law
Civil rights law
Environmental law
Immigration law
Labor and employment law
Personal injury law
Although law school provides a general overview of all the areas of the law, lawyers and attorneys go through additional training and education in their area of focus to gain more experience and knowledge. Attorneys typically only consult with and provide their services to clients whose cases pertain to their chosen field of law.
Job titles
There are several paths for both lawyers and attorneys to pursue.
For lawyers, some paths include legal consultants and legal regulatory specialists. Lawyers may find employment in corporations, government agencies or nonprofit organizations. Some may choose to pursue a career in education as well.
For attorneys, several career paths are influenced by a professional's specialization, location, level of experience and professional goals.
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