at law

American

[at law] / ˌæt ˈlɔ /

adverb

Law.

(of legal proceedings or remedies) under the law, sometimes according to the common law or codified law, rather than to what is fair in a particular case; by law.

The will, now lost, would have benefited the whole community, but at law the next of kin is the sole heir.

Etymology

Origin of at law

First recorded in 1560–70

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Jon Baines, senior data protection specialist at law firm Mishcon de Reya, said the commissioner's resignation was "unprecedented".

From BBC • Jun. 19, 2026

“It’s all going to take some significant needle-threading,” said Corey Martin, who chairs the entertainment-finance practice at law firm Granderson Des Rochers.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 11, 2026

Bradford Auerbach, a partner at law firm OGC, said he expects to see more of these types of lawsuits filed by unions .

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 8, 2026

Activity is continually increasing, though few deals are made public, said Trisha Rich, a partner at law firm Holland & Knight who helps structure MSO investments.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 1, 2026

Bright and serious, Ismail Meer was born in Natal, and while at law school at Wits he became a key member of the Transvaal Indian Congress.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023