What is the difference between a lawyer and an attorney in Canada?

Asked by: Meggie Hammes  |  Last update: June 3, 2025
Score: 4.9/5 (42 votes)

Canada: “Attorney” isn't commonly used. Legal professionals are typically called “lawyers,” unless they hold a specific title, such as “Attorney General.”

Is an attorney the same as a lawyer in Canada?

If you're now wondering about the term Attorney and why it's been left out of this post, it is because Attorney, which is just yet another word for lawyer, is not used in Canada except for in the case of a specific title, like Attorney General.

Is an attorney higher than a lawyer?

The primary difference between an attorney and a lawyer is that an attorney is licensed to practice law and represent clients in court, while a lawyer has completed law school but may not be licensed to practice law. All attorneys are lawyers, but not all lawyers are attorneys.

What are attorneys called in Canada?

All Canadian lawyers can call themselves both “barristers and solicitors”, although many define their practices as either one or the other. A barrister is a litigator, i.e. a courtroom lawyer. Traditionally, the Bar was the place in a courtroom where counsel stood to address the court.

Do Canadians say lawyer or attorney?

Countries outside the US don't use the word attorney. In Canada, they're lawyers, never attorneys.

What's the Difference Between a Lawyer and an Attorney?

37 related questions found

Why do lawyers call themselves attorney?

Attorney and lawyer mean the same thing. Attorney derives from an Old French word for lawyer ("attorn"), while lawyer derives from the Old English word ("lawe"). That we use both today is more a reflection of the complicated history of the English language rather than any kind of legal distinction.

Who makes more, an attorney or a lawyer?

The national average salary for an attorney is $97,879 per year , while a lawyer has an average salary of $96,557 per year . Although the average earnings have a slight difference, you may earn more or less depending on your years of experience, employer, location and skills.

Is a barrister the same as a lawyer?

In general, the terms lawyer and attorney are used interchangeably in the United States and Canada, while solicitor and barrister are more common in the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries.

What is the title of a lawyer in Canada?

As a result, Canadian lawyers will typically include both “Barrister and Solicitor” in their title. That said, Canadian lawyers will often specialize in one or the other.

Do barristers still wear wigs?

Wigs are still commonplace in the courtroom, almost thought of as a uniform, to maintain the long tradition and formality of the legal system. However, the wigs have undergone some changes.

What is the highest form of lawyer?

As of 2024, the top five highest paid types of lawyers are:
  • Patent Attorneys.
  • Intellectual property (IP) Attorneys.
  • Trial Lawyers.
  • Tax Attorneys.
  • Corporate Lawyers.

Are you a lawyer after you pass the bar exam?

Attorneys, lawyers, and counsel have all been educated and trained in law. As explained above, attorneys must pass the bar exam and practice law in court. Lawyers have also taken the bar exam, and may or may not practice law. Counsels provide legal advice, and often work for an organization or corporation.

What does esq mean after your name?

"Esquire" is a title of respect for a person authorized to practice law. While it's often abbreviated as "Esq.," it comes from English history, where it originally referred to someone just below the rank of knight. Today, in the United States, "Esquire" is used to identify licensed attorneys.

Is being a lawyer prestigious in Canada?

As in many other countries, lawyers in Canada are considered a prestigious, stable, and lucrative career. Lawyers are one of the most highly paid professions in the country, along with doctors, accountants, and engineers, with a yearly average of $126,595.

How much does a lawyer make in Canada?

Lawyer salaries in Canada

The estimated total pay for a Lawyer is $116,145 per year, with an average salary of $103,175 per year. This number represents the median, which is the midpoint of the ranges from our proprietary Total Pay Estimate model and based on salaries collected from our users.

What is a free lawyer called in Canada?

Pro Bono Law Ontario is a charitable organization that promotes access to justice in Ontario by creating and facilitating opportunities for lawyers to provide pro bono (free) legal services to low-income people and charitable organizations.

Are Canadian lawyers called attorneys?

Canada: “Attorney” isn't commonly used. Legal professionals are typically called “lawyers,” unless they hold a specific title, such as “Attorney General.”

What is a Canadian law degree called?

In Canada, the first-level common law degree is the Juris Doctor or JD, which takes three years to complete. It is an undergraduate degree program, and not a graduate degree program, even though prior undergraduate education is required for entry.

How hard is the bar exam?

The bar exam is hard. In fact, it may be one of the most difficult challenges you ever embark on. You must memorize numerous laws and consume a lot of knowledge to answer questions correctly. For many, it feels like trying to hold sand in your hands, knowing that you'll inevitably lose much of it.

What is the US equivalent of a barrister?

Barristers are involved in and litigation , similar to “trial lawyers” or “ litigators ” in the United States, except such lawyers in America may perform tasks beyond courtroom advocacy, unlike barristers.

What is the difference between an attorney and a lawyer?

“The word lawyer can refer to anyone who has been trained in the law, whether they are licensed to practice or not. In contrast, the word attorney refers specifically to a lawyer who is licensed to practice law.”

Is esquire the same as barrister?

In the legal profession, the title is available for barristers who have achieved the appointment of King's Counsel as they are designated as esquires on their letters patent.

Who has more power a lawyer or an attorney?

It depends on your specific legal needs. If you require legal advice, assistance with contracts, or general guidance, you may then refer to a lawyer. However, if you are involved in a legal dispute, facing criminal charges, or need representation in court, an attorney is the one to represent you.

Do I need a lawyer or attorney?

You should choose an attorney when you need legal representation in court or require someone to draft legal documents. If you only need legal advice or consultancy services without courtroom representation, a lawyer might meet your needs.

What is the most expensive type of lawyer?

Highest-Paid Types of Lawyers
  • Patent attorney: $180,000.
  • Intellectual property (IP) attorney: $162,000.
  • Trial lawyer: $134,000.
  • Tax attorney: $122,000.
  • Corporate lawyer: $115,000.
  • Medical lawyer: $113,000.
  • Real estate lawyer: $98,000.
  • Family lawyer: $93,000.