Attorneys at Law: What "Attorney's at Law" Means and How to Hire One

What does "attorney at law" mean, and do I need one?

Sometimes. An attorney at law is a lawyer licensed by a state's highest court to give legal advice and to represent clients in court. The plural is "attorneys at law". "Attorney's at law" is a common misspelling, because the apostrophe makes the word possessive.

The title separates a licensed lawyer from an attorney-in-fact. An attorney-in-fact is anyone, often a relative, named in a power of attorney to handle another person's affairs. An attorney-in-fact does not need a law license, and usually cannot represent you in court.

When handling it yourself may work

• Small claims: small money disputes in a court built for people without lawyers.
• Simple, uncontested paperwork: a name change or an agreed divorce with no children or property, where the court has forms.
• Traffic tickets: minor tickets with no risk to your license.

When to talk to a lawyer first

• Criminal charges: any charge that could lead to jail time or a record.
• Someone sued you: you were served with a lawsuit, or the other side already has a lawyer.
• Serious injury or death: these cases often have hard deadlines and insurance companies involved.
• Custody, immigration or your home: cases where losing would change your family, status or housing.
• Large sums: contracts, estates or business disputes worth more than a lawyer's fee.

Who can legally call themselves an attorney at law?

Only a person admitted to practice law in a state. Each state sets its own rules, and the title belongs to people who meet all of these:

• Admitted to the bar: licensed by that state's highest court, usually after law school, a bar exam and a character and fitness review.
• Active status: their license is active, not inactive, retired or suspended.
• In good standing: not disbarred and not barred from practice by discipline.
• Licensed where your case is: a license usually covers only one state. Federal courts and some agency matters, such as immigration, have their own admission rules.

A paralegal, a notary, a document preparer or an attorney-in-fact who gives legal advice without a license may be practicing law without authorization, which states treat as a violation.

Step 1: Name your legal problem and your state

Write one sentence that names the problem, the state and any deadline. For example: "I was served with an eviction notice in Ohio and must answer within the time on the papers."

This tells you which kind of lawyer to look for, such as family, criminal defense or personal injury, and which state's license they need. Gather your papers now: court notices, letters, contracts and dates. A lawyer can tell you more in a first meeting if you bring them.

Step 2: Find two or three candidates

Start with sources that screen lawyers or serve people who cannot pay.

• Bar lawyer referral services: most state and local bar associations refer callers to lawyers by area of law. The American Bar Association lists them through its Find Legal Help pages.
• Legal aid: the Legal Services Corporation funds civil legal aid groups nationwide and has a search by address. Under 45 CFR § 1611.3(c), the general income limit for LSC-funded help is 125% of the federal poverty guidelines. For 2026 that is $19,950 a year for one person in the 48 contiguous states (as of October 2026).
• LawHelp.org: a free directory of nonprofit legal aid, self-help guides and free court forms, organized by state and run by Pro Bono Net.
• Free Legal Answers: an ABA program where people who qualify by income can email a civil legal question to a volunteer lawyer.

Step 3: Check the license with the state bar

Look up every lawyer you are considering in the state bar's or state supreme court's online attorney search. It takes a few minutes.

Check four things: the name matches, the status is active, the lawyer is admitted in your state, and the record shows any public discipline. If the person does not appear, or the status says suspended or inactive, do not hire them. That includes anyone who calls themselves an attorney at law.

Step 4: Hold a consultation

Use the first meeting to find out whether the lawyer handles cases like yours and how they would approach yours. Ask whether the consultation is free before you book it. Some lawyers charge for it and others do not.

Useful questions:

1. How many cases like mine have you handled in this court?
2. Who will actually work on my case, and how do I reach them?
3. What are the likely outcomes and the main risks?
4. What deadlines apply to me right now?
5. How will you charge, and what will the costs be besides your fee?

Step 5: Get the fee agreement in writing

Before work starts, get a written statement of what the lawyer will do and how you will be charged. State ethics rules based on ABA Model Rule 1.5 require lawyers to tell you the fee basis and the scope of the work. The Tennessee version of Rule 1.5(b) reads:

"The scope of the representation and the basis or rate of the fee and expenses for which the client will be responsible shall be communicated to the client, preferably in writing, before or within a reasonable time after commencing the representation."

A contingency fee is one where the lawyer takes a percentage only if you win. Under Rule 1.5(c), that agreement must be in writing and signed by you. It must state the percentage and whether expenses come out before or after the fee is figured. Read the agreement before you sign it, and keep a copy.

What if I can't afford a lawyer, or I'm in danger?

You still have options. In a criminal case where you could go to jail, ask the court about a public defender. In civil cases, contact legal aid or a bar referral service, and ask lawyers about limited-scope help, where they handle one part of the case for a lower fee.

If you face domestic violence or another threat, call 911 in an emergency. Courts can issue protective orders, often using forms you can file without a lawyer. Legal aid groups often put these cases first.

What mistakes do people make when hiring an attorney?

• Waiting too long: deadlines to answer a lawsuit or file a claim can end your case before it starts.
• Skipping the license check: a polished website does not prove someone has a license.
• Confusing an attorney-in-fact with a lawyer: a power of attorney does not let a relative argue your case in court.
• Hiring out of state: a lawyer licensed elsewhere usually cannot handle a case in your state's courts.
• No written fee terms: spoken promises about cost lead to disputes later.

Where can I find official help?

• Legal Services Corporation: find LSC-funded legal aid near you.
• LawHelp.org: state-by-state legal aid and free forms.
• Your state bar: attorney license search, lawyer referral service and the process for complaints about a lawyer.
• Your state court system: self-help centers and official court forms.