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What is the difference between an attorney and a lawyer?

I'm asking to see which one I would be more interested in.

law lawyer criminal-justice attorney
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Gouri’s Answer

A lawyer is someone who had finished their law school. They might act as legal advisors but don't practice law in court. So, basically an attorney is a lawyer who is licensed to represent a client in court . Attorneys have usually gone through additional trainings giving them more knowledge and experience. In order for a lawyer to become an attorney, they need to pass the bar exam. All these additional trainings help them handle more complex cases.
Thank you comment icon This was super helpful, thank you! Ranim
Thank you comment icon Thank you ! Kimora
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Seth’s Answer

In the US at least, in my experience they generally mean the same thing. A lawyer/attorney might also describe themselves based on their specialty (litigator, patent lawyer, etc.) Other countries sometimes have different classifications of lawyers, based on whether they appear in court, etc. So as you're thinking about what kind of law you'd be interested in, I would research the different practice areas and specialties - litigation, business/corporate law, criminal law, etc. And as some of the other answers noted, lawyers/attorneys also work for different kinds of organizations - law firms, government, corporations, non-profits, etc. So I would also look at the different kinds of opportunities available in these different organizations. And of course many lawyers/attorneys do work in more than one practice area, and many work for different kinds of organizations during their career - so don't feel that you have settle on one choice now!
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Fred’s Answer

It may depend on what country you are in. My understanding is that in the U.S., a lawyer is someone who has graduated law school and passed the bar exam. An attorney is someone who practices law in court.

So a lawyer may write contracts, do estate planning, work for a corporation, etc. An attorney would go to court and argue facts in front of a judge and jury (along with all the pre-trial stuff that goes on). These could be criminal cases, or civil. An attorney may argue in court about a contract written by a lawyer.
Thank you comment icon Thank you for informing me of this. Kimora
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Kim’s Answer

The words are used interchangeably in my area. There are several articles on line distinguishing the subtle differences between the two, which agree with what Fred has said.

So, either way, you will go to law school and pass the bar. There are lawyers working in various roles throughout the country. They work for on-line legal databases, keeping them current. They work in regulatory agencies ( such as the EPA) writing regulations. Not everyone who goes to law school becomes a practicing attorney.
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