Hi! My name is Sam, and I started this blog to help other injured people. Before you start reading, let me tell you a little about myself. Ten years ago, I slipped on a slice of fruit in a grocery store. My leg slid out from under me, and in a freak twist, it was rendered useless. I could no longer work and struggled with intense pain every day. Luckily, I found an accident and injury attorney who was able to get me the compensation I needed to cover my medical bills and my lost time at work. However, while I waited for the settlement to come through, I had to get creative physically and financially. This blog is dedicated to anyone who is in that limbo position. I hope the posts here help you decide what to do while you wait for the results of your trial.
For someone attempting to make an informed legal decision, knowing the difference between a lawyer and an attorney can be a helpful piece of information. However, not everyone is fortunate enough know the difference between the two. Even though many people believe that lawyer and attorney are simply two different names for the same job, such an assessment is not entirely accurate. While the traits that divide the two jobs are somewhat minor, they are nonetheless vital when searching for legal assistance.
What Is A Lawyer?
Simply put, a lawyer is a man or woman who has been educated in the law. Lawyer is not a catch-all term, however, as many lawyers, such as personal injury lawyers, tend to focus on specific niche areas of the law. Following their completion of law school, a lawyer is then authorized to offer counseling and legal advice in exchange for financial compensation. However, there are certain legal services, such as representing a client in court, that a lawyer is not allowed to offer. For instance, a person having been struck by a moving vehicle would be able to seek legal strategy from a personal injury lawyer, but he or she would not be allowed to represent this individual in court.
What Is An Attorney?
While all attorneys are lawyers, not all lawyers are attorneys. This is generally because the lawyer-in-question has yet to pass the bar exam. The bar exam is a rigorous, two to three day assessment of a lawyer's abilities. The exam is usually comprised of two sections: an essay portion, and the Multistate Bar Exam. Both sections must be passed in order to attain certification. Once a lawyer has sufficiently completed the bar exam, he or she will finally have the privilege of being called an attorney. Along with this prestigious title comes the ability to act as a legal representative for clients.
At the end of the day, knowing the difference between a lawyer and an attorney can make all the difference when searching for legal assistance. While a lawyer is certified to interpret and advise others in the field of law, they are unable to act as a legal representative. Despite the fact that many people are under the false impression that a lawyer is capable of representing them in court, this generally isn't the case. If you are in need of someone to act as a legal representative, it would be wise to hire an attorney instead of a lawyer.
To learn more, contact a law firm like Kornfeld Robert B Inc PS.
Share24 June 2015
