A lawyer is a person who is qualified to offer advice about the law , draft legal documents, or represent individuals in legal matters. The exact nature of a lawyer's work varies depending on the legal jurisdiction and the legal system , as well as the lawyer's area of practice.
In many jurisdictions, the legal profession is divided into various branches β including barristers , solicitors , conveyancers , notaries , canon lawyer β who perform different tasks related to the law. Historically, the role of lawyers can be traced back to ancient civilizations such as Greece and Rome.
In modern times, the practice of law includes activities such as representing clients in criminal or civil court, advising on business transactions, protecting intellectual property, and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations.
Depending on the country, the education required to become a lawyer can range from completing an undergraduate law degree to undergoing postgraduate education and professional training. In many jurisdictions, passing a bar examination is also necessary before one can practice law. Working as a lawyer generally involves the practical application of abstract legal theories and knowledge to solve specific problems.
Some lawyers also work primarily in upholding the rule of law, human rights, and the interests of the legal profession. England, the mother of the common law jurisdictions, emerged from the Middle Ages with a complexity in its legal professions similar to that of civil law jurisdictions, but then evolved by the 19th century to a single division between barristers and solicitors. Several countries that originally had two or more legal professions have since fused or united their professions into a single type of lawyer.
