Is There A Difference Between An Attorney And A Lawyer In Florida?

You may be trying to find help with your personal injury lawsuit, only to learn that different terms are being thrown around. For instance, some legal professionals are referred to as esquires, while the terms lawyer and attorney are used interchangeably.

These can get confusing because, for an ordinary Joe like yourself, it’s difficult to figure out which one is qualified to represent you in your case. 

Fortunately, we’re here to clarify the matter at hand. Continue reading to learn more about the attorney lawyer difference. 

Are attorneys and lawyers the same?

Traditionally, the term lawyer describes an individual who graduated from law school but hasn’t started practicing yet. On the other hand, attorneys are full-fledged legal professionals who not only graduated from law school but also passed the bar and obtained all the required licenses. 

So is that all there is to know about the attorney lawyer difference? 

Not exactly. In Florida, there is no distinction between the two terms. So, if you contact a law firm regarding your personal injury case, the title of the professional isn’t as important. What is important is whether they’re licensed to practice law in Florida. 

Requirements for attorneys in Florida

To practice law in the Sunshine State, a lawyer must become a member of the Florida Bar Association. Upon being admitted, they can freely provide a full range of legal services - everything from estate planning to divorce representation and personal injury, to name a few. 

However, getting admitted into the Florida Bar isn’t easy. Lawyers need to meet the following requirements if they’re to become a member of the state Bar Association:

• Degree from an accredited law school
• Passing the Florida Bar examination
• Passing the professional responsibility examination

It’s worth noting only attorneys licensed in Florida can legally offer services in the territory. In other words, a hotshot attorney in Minnesota can’t provide legal assistance without first being admitted into the Florida Bar Association, regardless of their expertise. 

This isn’t limited to representing someone in court. Unlicensed legal professionals are also prohibited from making legal filing or giving advice. Otherwise, they’re committing a third-degree felony (something they must have learned about in law school, when you think about it). 

Out-of-state attorneys exceptions

Each state bar has its specific requirements. However, there are certain exceptions.

Out-of-state attorneys can request the court to permit them to represent a particular client (not guaranteed to work). Similarly, if an attorney is the spouse of an active military service member, they can obtain authorization to practice in Florida for five years without passing the bar exam.

House counsel (attorneys representing a business) may provide limited services in the state.

Lastly, foreign attorneys licensed in their country of origin can provide legal advice to a client in Florida. The catch is that they can only do so if their advice relates to the laws of the country where they are licensed. 

What services can lawyers provide when unlicensed?

Many people finish law school without ever passing the bar exam. Although they are legal professionals and considered lawyers elsewhere, their correct title is Juris Doctors.

While not allowed to practice law independently, they can work under the supervision of an attorney. For example, a small law firm may hire them to conduct legal research, prepare for a hearing, and create first drafts of documents - tasks more typical for paralegals. 

Despite the supervision, they’re not allowed to make arguments in court, take depositions (even though they can attend them), and can’t put their signature on any legal documents involved in the litigation. 

How to check if someone is licensed

The likely reason you’re researching the topic of attorney lawyer difference is because you want to check a legal professional’s credentials before hiring them. 

Simple - go to the official Florida Bar Association website and type the attorney’s name into the search tool. The results will show all the information you need. You can see whether they’re licensed, in good standing with the bar, and equally important, if they had any disciplinary actions against them in the last decade. 

Score!

Can a Florida personal injury attorney represent you in another state?

For the sake of argument, let’s say you suffered an injury while on a vacation in Alabama and you want your Floridian attorney to represent you. When push comes to shove, you want someone you can meet in person, right?

They can represent you if they have a license in Alabama. If they haven't joined the state bar, they may be able to handle your case if they apply for a temporary license. This is referred to as pro hac vice and will permit them to pursue litigation on the case without being a state bar member. 

When working on a pro hac vice basis, the attorney must seek counsel from a law firm licensed in the state. 

It’s possible to be represented by a Florida attorney in another state, but you’ll incur significant legal costs, so weigh your options carefully. 

How to find the right attorney?

Naturally, the state bar website trick we have shown you is only the beginning. An attorney may be licensed, but it still doesn’t mean they’re any good. They may have limited litigation experience or lack the skills necessary to push a personal injury case to a beneficial conclusion.

This is why you should extend your research even further. Google their name and read through all the information available. Are there any news stories about them? Do their Google reviews check out? These are all important considerations when it comes to hiring an attorney. 

We also recommend checking the attorney’s website to find testimonials and their accolades. It doesn’t hurt to check if the attorney in question offers free consultations. You can learn more about them during the initial meeting. 



Looking for a licensed attorney?

Now that you’re aware of attorney lawyer difference, you  can find an attorney. To cut the hours of research short, if you’re looking for a personal injury attorney in Florida, then seek out the Law Offices of RITE. 

We’re a fully licensed law firm with multiple decades of experience and a positive track record. With a passion for the legal profession and pursuing justice, we’ll fight diligently on your behalf to set the record straight and ensure you get favorable compensation.

We also offer a free consultation and we’d be happy to evaluate your case in person. 

Call (904) 500-RITE (7483) or send an email to info@rite4justice.com and get the legal representation you deserve.

Note: 

The information in this blog post is for reference only and not legal advice. As such, you should not make legal decisions based on the information in this blog post. Moreover, there is no lawyer-client relationship resulting from this blog post, nor should any such relationship be implied. If you need legal counsel, please consult a lawyer licensed to practice in your jurisdiction.