What is the difference between a lawyer and an attorney?

The terms “lawyer” and “attorney” are often used interchangeably. However, there is a slight difference between them when it comes to Maryland. An attorney is a lawyer who is either admitted to the bar of a particular state or a federally authorized lawyer who is allowed to practice law in more than one state. Attorneys are required to pass the bar exam in their state or they must have graduated from a law school to become eligible to practice law. A lawyer, on the other hand, only has to complete a law degree in order to practice law in a jurisdiction. In Maryland, a legal practitioner is also called a lawyer, but it does not have the same level of practice rights as an attorney. An attorney can represent his or her clients in court proceedings, while a lawyer can only advise clients in legal matters. Attorneys can also draft legal documents and pleadings, and are responsible for the management of a client’s legal affairs. Lawyers, however, are not granted such rights and must pass the bar exam to gain the same rights as an attorney. In conclusion, the difference between a lawyer and an attorney is that an attorney is a lawyer who has passed the bar exam or graduated from a law school, and is thus eligible to practice law in a jurisdiction, while a lawyer is a legal practitioner who has only completed a law degree. This distinction is especially relevant in the state of Maryland.

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What is the difference between a lawyer and an attorney?

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