Glossary
Attorney
A person licensed to practice law and represent clients in legal matters. "Attorney" and "lawyer" mean the same thing in most contexts. To be an attorney, a person typically must finish law school, pass the bar exam, and be admitted to the bar of their state.
Attorneys can advise clients, draft legal documents, negotiate on their behalf, and represent them in court. The exact privileges depend on what bar the attorney is admitted to: an attorney licensed in California isn't automatically authorized to appear in court in New York without going through additional steps.
Practicing law without a license is a crime. That's why non-lawyers: including paralegals, document preparers, and online services: have to be careful not to give legal advice. They can provide forms and information, but advising on someone's specific situation is unauthorized practice of law (UPL).