Lawyer Law and Legal Definition
A lawyer is a person educated in law, and who practices as an attorney, counsel, or solicitor. S/he is a person licensed to practice law. A lawyer applies legal theories and knowledge to solve specific individualized problems, or to advance the interests of those who engage him/her to perform legal services.
The following is an example of state statute (California) defining the term.
Pursuant to Cal Bus & Prof Code § 6157(b), "Lawyer" means a member of the State Bar or a person who is admitted in good standing and eligible to practice before the bar of any United States court or the highest court of the District of Columbia or any state, territory, or insular possession of the United States, or is licensed to practice law in, or is admitted in good standing and eligible to practice before the bar of the highest court of, a foreign country or any political subdivision thereof, and includes any agent of the lawyer, law firm, or law corporation doing business in the state.
