Definition

Noun: - A lawyer who pleads cases in court: A counselor-at-law is a legal professional, specifically an attorney or barrister, whose primary function is to represent and argue on behalf of clients in a court of law. This term emphasizes the role of advocacy and formal pleading before a judge or jury.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • After years of practice, she became a skilled counselor-at-law, known for her compelling arguments before the Supreme Court.
  • The defendant hired a renowned counselor-at-law to handle his complex litigation case.

Advanced Usage

• The term "counselor-at-law" is a formal and somewhat traditional title, often used in specific legal contexts or jurisdictions to denote a lawyer qualified to practice and plead in court. It is less common in everyday speech than "attorney" or "lawyer."

Variants and Related Words

• Counselor (noun): A broader term that can mean an advisor or guidance professional, but in legal contexts, it is often synonymous with lawyer.
• Attorney-at-law (noun): A very similar term, essentially a synonym for a practicing lawyer.
• Barrister (noun): In some legal systems (e.g., the UK), a barrister is a type of lawyer who specializes in court advocacy and litigation, similar to a counselor-at-law.

Synonyms

• Advocate: One who pleads the cause of another, specifically in a court of law.
• Litigator: A lawyer who specializes in taking legal action and conducting lawsuits.
• Attorney: A person appointed to act for another in business or legal matters.

Related Phrases

• Of counsel: A phrase describing a lawyer, often semi-retired or specially retained, who is associated with a law firm but not as a partner or associate.
  • The firm brought him on as of counsel for his expertise in maritime law.

Noun

1. a lawyer who pleads cases in court