Definition

Noun: * A lawyer who specializes in taking legal action and representing clients in court: A litigator is an attorney whose primary professional activity is conducting lawsuits. This involves all stages of the legal process from pre-trial investigations, pleadings, and discovery to the trial itself in a court of law. They represent either the party bringing the case (plaintiff) or the party defending against it (defendant).

Usage

The term "litigator" specifies a type of legal practice focused on dispute resolution through the court system. It is often contrasted with lawyers who specialize in transactional work, such as drafting contracts or providing advisory services, where court appearances are less common.

Examples

• The firm hired a skilled litigator to handle the complex breach of contract case.
• As a litigator, she spends much of her time taking depositions and preparing for trial.
• The company's lead litigator presented a compelling argument to the jury.

Advanced Usage

• "Trial litigator": A lawyer who specifically focuses on taking cases to trial, as opposed to settling them beforehand.
  • He built his reputation as a fierce trial litigator who is unafraid of the courtroom.

Variants and Related Words

• Litigate (verb): To engage in a legal proceeding or lawsuit.
  • They decided to litigate the matter rather than settle.
• Litigation (noun): The process of taking legal action; the process of a lawsuit.
  • The dispute resulted in expensive and lengthy litigation.
• Litigant (noun): A party involved in a lawsuit (e.g., a plaintiff or defendant). While a litigator represents a litigant, they are not the same. A litigant is the client; a litigator is the lawyer.
  • The litigants waited anxiously for the verdict.

Synonyms

• Trial lawyer: A lawyer who specializes in trying cases in court.
• Barrister (Common in UK, Canada, and other Commonwealth systems): A lawyer qualified to represent clients in higher courts.
• Advocate: A general term for one who argues for a cause, often used for lawyers in court.

Related Phrases

• Commercial litigator: A litigator who specializes in business and corporate disputes.
• Civil litigator: A litigator who handles non-criminal legal disputes between individuals or organizations.

Noun

1. (law) a party to a lawsuit; someone involved in litigation
   • plaintiffs and defendants are both litigants