A lawyer is a licensed professional who advises and represents others in legal matters. They have 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.

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.

The terms “attorney” and “lawyer” are often used interchangeably in the United States. There is very little distinction made between the two. This difficulty to differentiate is a result of the fact that in the United States, unlike in other countries, this distinction is not made. However, a slight one does exist. A lawyer is someone who is learned and trained in  law. Yet, they may not actually practice law. They often give legal advice. By attending law school in the United States, one can be considered a lawyer. A student of law must pass a bar exam  in their particular jurisdiction in order to practice law by providing legal representation. Otherwise, the opportunities to use their law education are limited.

In the UK, a lawyer is simply the British English term for an American English attorney. 

There are many different types of lawyer available, but the most commonly needed lawyers include: civil litigation lawyers, real estate, criminal law, personal injury lawyers, medical malpractice lawyers, family law, immigration workers’ compensation lawyers, and many more.

The requirements to become a lawyer are slightly different in most countries, but for the US it is generally a requirement to have a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent, complete three years at an ABA-accredited law school, pass a state bar examination, take an oath, and receive a licence from the highest court in the state.