solicitor

[suh-lis-i-ter]

noun

1. a person who solicits.

2. a person whose business it is to solicit business, trade, etc.

3. an officer having charge of the legal business of a city, town, etc.

4. (in England and Wales) a member of that branch of the legal profession whose services consist of advising clients, representing them before the lower courts, and preparing cases for barristers to try in the higher courts.

   Synonyms: counselor, attorney, lawyer

solicitor

/ səˈlɪsɪtə /

noun

1. (in Britain) a lawyer who advises clients on matters of law, draws up legal documents, prepares cases for barristers, etc, and who may represent clients in certain courts Compare barrister

2. (in the US) an officer responsible for the legal affairs of a town, city, etc

3. a person who solicits

Other Word Forms

• solicitorship noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of solicitor¹

1375–1425; late Middle English solicitour < Anglo-French; Middle French soliciteur. See solicit, -or ²

Example Sentences

In defense of the law, Colorado state solicitor Shannon Stevenson said the law applies only to licensed counselors.

From Los Angeles Times

Imran Khan KC, Baroness Lawrence's solicitor, read a statement on her behalf, while Norris watched on from prison.

From BBC

David Greenwood, the victim's solicitor, criticised the actions of social workers and police back in the early 2000s, when the abuse was being carried out.

From BBC

There is additional information that I’ve had to amass on the criminal justice system, and to do this I’ve interviewed barristers, solicitors, magistrates and judges.

From Los Angeles Times

Speaking outside court, solicitor Ciaran Shiels, who represents some of the Bloody Sunday victims' relatives, said the families "are very pleased that the judge saw merit in the prosecution's submissions".

From BBC

Related Words

• barrister 
• counselor