An attorney (or attorney-at-law) is a licensed legal professional who can:
Provide legal advice
Draft legal documents
Represent clients in negotiations or court
Attorneys may practice in various fields such as family law, corporate law, estate planning, and more. Not all attorneys go to court—many work behind the scenes, offering counsel or handling transactions.
Filing lawsuits and responding to legal claims
Pre-trial procedures (e.g., discovery, motions)
Courtroom arguments and trials
Settlement negotiations
In short, all litigators are attorneys, but not all attorneys are litigators.
| Feature | Attorney | Litigator |
|---|---|---|
| Legal Advice | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Courtroom Representation | ✅ Sometimes | ✅ Frequently |
| Focus Area | General or specialized fields | Litigation (civil or criminal) |
| Common Tasks | Contracts, advice, compliance | Trials, depositions, discovery |
| Trial Experience | May have limited or none | Usually extensive |
You should consider hiring a litigator if:
You’re being sued or want to file a lawsuit
You expect your case to go to trial
You need aggressive representation in court
For other legal services, like drafting a will or forming a business, a general attorney might be the better fit.
Knowing the litigator vs attorney difference can save you time and legal costs. If your issue is likely to end up in court, hiring a litigator from the start ensures you’re prepared from day one.
Want a deeper dive into what litigators do? Visit Cornell Law School’s Legal Information Institute.
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Whether you need a litigator for trial or an attorney for legal guidance, we’re here to help.
Call us at 813-499-9993 or visit our website to schedule your free consultation.