Quick Summary
- In the legal industry, the terms lawyer and attorney are often used interchangeably, but they entail different roles.
- Lawyers offer legal advice and draft documents, while attorneys represent clients in court after passing the bar exam.
- Additionally, there are various legal professions like advocates, barristers, solicitors, and litigators, each with distinct responsibilities.
- Salaries vary depending on experience and specialisation.
- To become a lawyer in India, one needs an LLB degree and must pass exams like CLAT or AILET.
- Both lawyers and attorneys contribute significantly to the legal field, ensuring a fair justice system.
Table of Contents
Did you know that there are many career paths within the legal industry? Two of the most common paths are becoming a lawyer vs attorney. They’re both part of the legal industry. Many people think they’re the same. But they play different roles. An attorney represents clients in court. They have completed their legal education and passed the bar exam, a special test to become a licensed attorney. Lawyer refers to anyone who has studied law. All attorneys are lawyers. But not all lawyers are attorneys.
Lawyers can work in various legal fields and may provide legal advice, draft legal documents, or handle negotiations. However, they do not represent clients in court. In this article, we will understand the difference between a Lawyer Vs. Attorney. Additionally, we will share information about other legal professions that might capture your interest like what is an attorney. What’s the difference between a lawyer and an attorney? etc.
Lawyer Vs Attorney: Difference in Roles and Responsibilities
An advocate is someone who signs up with a group of lawyers in the State. Advocates have the right to talk for their clients in court. A person who finishes studying law, like getting a special certificate called an LLB degree, becomes a lawyer. But just having a law degree doesn’t mean lawyers can stand up for their clients in court. After finishing their law degree, the lawyer needs to pass a test called the All-India Bar Examination (AIBE) to work in a court of law and handle clients’ cases. let’s read below the difference between an attorney and a lawyer:
| Lawyers | Attorneys |
| A lawyer is a legal professional. | An attorney is a legal pro who has passed the AIBE. They get a license to argue cases for clients in court. |
| Lawyers cannot practice in a court of law unless they are enrolled in a State Bar Council and pass the AIBE. | Passing the AIBE and joining a State Bar Council makes you an attorney. Attorneys can practice in courts of law. |
| Lawyers have to pass the AIBE and gain the required knowledge to represent clients, which makes them less experienced compared to attorneys. | Attorneys are more experienced than lawyers as they have the opportunity to practice in all courts in India and handle various legal matters. |
| The lawyers are responsible for giving legal advice to clients and drafting legal documents. | Attorneys’ responsibilities involve representing clients in court, pleading on their behalf, defending their rights, and striving for the best judgment. |
| Lawyers charge lower fees since they lack the experience to handle cases in a court of law. | Attorneys charge higher fees as they offer legal services, possess the skills and qualifications to represent clients, and fight for them in court. |
| Work with police and investigators to build a strong case. | Assist police and investigators with their investigations and prepare trials. |
| Review the case. Give legal options to clients. | Scrutinize the case at hand. Provide necessary documents and evidence to the court. |
| Present arguments in favor of a client in front of judges. | Attend court sessions for unsettled legal disputes between parties |
| Gather and organise facts and legal papers. | Draft and scrutinise contracts for clients. |
| Manage and preserve papers in computerised and paper file systems. | Educate and help lawyers and conduct legal research. |
| Schedule interviews, assessments, and meetings with clients and witnesses. | Notify authorities of complaints against court officials for an efficient legal system. |
| Conduct legal research and gather evidence. | Follow proper court etiquette and behave well around colleagues and opponents. |
Lawyer Vs Attorney: Difference Between Attorney and Lawyer Salaries
In India, fresh law graduates working in smaller firms might start with salaries ranging from 3 lakh to 10 lakh Indian Rupees per year. Mid-level lawyers with a few years of experience could earn anywhere from 10 lakh to 30 lakh Rupees per year. Senior lawyers and partners in large firms could potentially earn much more, often exceeding 50 lakh Rupees per year.
Junior-level Attorney salary starts from around 0.2 lakh to 5.7lakh Indian Rupees per year. Mid-level Attorney’s salaries might range from 10 lakh to 25 lakh Rupees per year.Senior Attorney’s salaries for senior attorneys and partners in larger firms can vary greatly, but they could potentially earn well above 25 lakh Rupees per year.
Difference Between Similar Law Terms
Lawyer
A lawyer is someone who studies or has completed a law degree. They are also known as legal experts or legal professionals. Lawyers can be legal advisers, consultants, academics, or in-house legal counselors for corporate firms. They are skilled at drafting important documents like wills, contracts, deeds, and more.
Advocate
An advocate is a lawyer who has passed the Bar Council Exam according to the Advocates Act, of 1961. They represent clients in court and work to help them win their cases or seek compensation, depending on whether the client is an accused or a complainant. Advocates are protected under the Advocates Act, of 1961, which safeguards their rights.
Barrister
In England and Canada, a lawyer speaking in higher courts for defense or prosecution is called a barrister. Barristers wear a wig and gown in court, which makes them different from solicitors. Their main role is to act as advocates in legal hearings and plead the case in front of a judge.
Attorney
Attorneys are the main lawyers in the Supreme Court of India. They are the chief legal advisors to the Indian government. They are appointed by the President of India and hold their office at the President’s pleasure. Attorneys advise the government on legal issues and represent the government in various cases in the Supreme Court and High Court.
An attorney has the right to appear in all courts in India and can actively participate in the proceedings of both houses of Parliament. While they have the privileges of a member of Parliament, they cannot vote or become a director in any company.
Solicitor
A solicitor is a lawyer in the United Kingdom who gives legal advice and creates legal papers. They handle pleadings and written statements for court cases and act as attorneys for their clients. Solicitors can work for various organisations and have specialised knowledge in different areas of law.
Litigator
A litigator is a type of lawyer who tries cases in court. They represent plaintiffs and defendants in civil lawsuits, managing all phases of the litigation process, from investigation and pleadings to trial, settlement, and appeal.
Paralegal
A paralegal is a professional who assists lawyers in their regular duties. They may conduct research, draft documents, and liaise with clients. However, they cannot give legal advice or represent someone as their attorney.
Qualification to Become a Lawyer
To become a lawyer in India, you typically pursue a three-year LLB degree after passing your 12th-grade exams with at least 50% marks. Renowned institutions such as the National Law School of India University and Delhi University Faculty of Law offer LLB programs. Entrance exams like CLAT, AILET, LSAT, and DUET help determine admission to these institutions. During the LLB program, you delve into various areas of law, including criminal, family, cyber, and corporate law, making it an intellectually stimulating journey.
Lawyers play a crucial role in society, assisting individuals, organizations, companies, and government agencies with legal matters. While the terms lawyer and attorney are often used interchangeably in India, attorneys specifically pass the bar exam to practice in court, whereas lawyers may or may not pursue this path. Both professions contribute significantly to the legal field, upholding justice and ensuring fairness. Despite differences in scope, their dedication and expertise are integral to maintaining a fair and equitable legal system, often resulting in financial stability and professional growth.
Evaluate numerous career choices to choose the right career path for yourself. Dive in to our guide on Career Advice.
Frequently Asked Questions ( FAQ’s )
Who is called an attorney?
Attorneys and lawyers are similar words, but they have slight differences. “Attorney” comes from French and is used to mean someone acting on others’ behalf. Nowadays, it refers to a lawyer who passed the state bar exam and can represent clients, give legal advice, and participate in legal proceedings. Attorneys work as consultants, just like regular lawyers. As members of a bar association, they must follow rules of conduct and ethical codes. The word “bar” originally referred to the physical divider in a courtroom where lawyers would speak. Attorneys can defend or prosecute individuals accused of breaking the law.
Who is called a barrister in India?
A barrister is a special lawyer in some countries that follow common law. Barristers are mostly known for their skills in arguing cases in court. They do important things such as going to big courts , making papers and give advice. There is no official difference between barristers and solicitors. However, many attorneys use these titles to show their roles.
Are LLB and barrister the same?
No, LLB (Bachelor of Laws) and barrister are not the same. LLB is an academic qualification that provides a foundational understanding of the law. Barristers typically undergo additional training, such as the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) in England and Wales, before being called to the bar and allowed to practice as barristers. So, while LLB is a degree, a barrister is a specific type of legal practitioner.
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