Attorney at law

Posted by R. Berg on June 16, 2008 at 16:34

In Reply to: Attorney at law posted by MCA on June 16, 2008 at 13:02:

: Why is one an attorney at law? Why not an attorney of law or in law, etc.? Are there attorneys at other occupations?

An "attorney at law," or public attorney, is legally qualified to represent clients in court for a fee. An "attorney in fact," or private attorney, doesn't practice law in that sense but acts as someone's agent. A person who has been given power of attorney becomes an attorney in fact. This information comes from Webster's Second International Dictionary and pertains to the United States. Terminology differs in other countries. ~rb