Lawyer vs. Shyster — What's the Difference?

A lawyer or attorney is a person who practices law, as an advocate, attorney at law, barrister, barrister-at-law, bar-at-law, canonist, canon lawyer, civil law notary, counsel, counselor, solicitor, legal executive, or public servant preparing, interpreting and applying the law, but not as a paralegal or charter executive secretary. Working as a lawyer involves the practical application of abstract legal theories and knowledge to solve specific individualized problems, or to advance the interests of those who hire lawyers to perform legal services.

Shyster (possibly spelled like schiester, scheister, shiester, etc.) is a slang word for someone who acts in a disreputable, unethical, or unscrupulous way, especially in the practice of law, sometimes also politics or business.

One whose profession is to give legal advice and assistance to clients and represent them in court or in other legal matters.

An unethical, unscrupulous practitioner, especially of law.

A professional person with a graduate law degree that qualifies for legal work (such as Juris Doctor)

Someone who acts in a disreputable, unethical, or unscrupulous way, especially in the practice of law and politics.

A professional person qualified (as by a law degree or bar exam) and authorized to practice law as an attorney-at-law, solicitor, advocate, barrister or equivalent, i.e. represent parties in lawsuits or trials and give legal advice.

(intransitive) To act in a disreputable, unethical, or unscrupulous way, especially in the practice of law and politics.

(by extension) A legal layman who argues points of law.

(transitive) To exploit (someone or something) in this way.

The burbot.

A trickish knave; one who carries on any business, especially legal business, in a mean and dishonest way.

The stem of a bramble.

A person (especially a lawyer or politician) who uses unscrupulous or unethical methods

Any of various plants. en

To practice law.

(intransitive) To perform, or attempt to perform, the work of a lawyer.

(intransitive) To make legalistic arguments.

To barrage (a person) with questions in order to get them to admit something.

One versed in the laws, or a practitioner of law; one whose profession is to conduct lawsuits for clients, or to advise as to prosecution or defence of lawsuits, or as to legal rights and obligations in other matters. It is a general term, comprehending attorneys, counselors, solicitors, barristers, sergeants, and advocates.

The black-necked stilt. See Stilt.

A professional person authorized to practice law; conducts lawsuits or gives legal advice