What Is The Difference Between An Attorney And A Lawyer

If you are looking for legal help in South Carolina, you may wonder whether you need a lawyer or an attorney. These two words often appear side by side in advertisements and websites. While people use them interchangeably in casual conversation, they do not always mean the same thing. Knowing the difference can help you feel more confident when hiring someone to represent you in a legal matter. It can also help you understand the qualifications of the person handling your case.

A Lawyer Has Legal Training

A lawyer is someone who has graduated from law school. In the United States, this means earning a Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited institution. South Carolina has two well-respected law schools: the University of South Carolina School of Law in Columbia and the Charleston School of Law. Both programs train students to analyze legal problems, interpret statutes, and write clearly about complex legal issues.

Lawyers can work in many fields. For example, a graduate of the Charleston School of Law might become a legislative analyst for the South Carolina General Assembly. In this role, they use their legal education to study proposed bills and evaluate their impact, but they do not represent clients in court. Another common example is a law school graduate who teaches criminal justice courses at a university or works as in-house counsel for a corporation, offering internal guidance without being involved in litigation.

However, graduating from law school does not automatically give someone the right to advocate for others in a legal case. In South Carolina, only someone who has passed the state bar exam and is licensed by the South Carolina Bar can legally file motions, appear in court, or provide legal representation.

An Attorney Can Represent You in Court

An attorney is a lawyer who has taken the next step by passing the bar exam and becoming licensed in a specific state. In other words, all attorneys are lawyers, but not every lawyer is an attorney.

Attorneys are permitted to appear in court, negotiate on your behalf, and represent you in hearings, depositions, and trials. In South Carolina, attorneys must meet the requirements of the South Carolina Office of Bar Admissions and remain in good standing with the South Carolina Bar. They also complete continuing legal education (CLE) each year to maintain their license.

For example, an attorney at the Steinberg Law Firm who is licensed in South Carolina may represent you after a car accident on I-26. That attorney can gather medical records, speak with the insurance company, and file a lawsuit if negotiations do not result in fair compensation. In contrast, a lawyer who never took the bar exam cannot take those actions, even if they know the law well.

As of 2024, the South Carolina Bar reports that there are more than 19,000 active attorneys in the state. Many of them focus on helping people with personal injury claims, workers’ compensation cases, criminal defense matters, and other legal needs that directly affect South Carolina families.

Even the South Carolina Bar sometimes adds to the confusion by using the terms “lawyer” and “attorney” interchangeably in public-facing materials. Although the distinction has real meaning in legal practice, that line often gets blurred in marketing, official directories, and everyday usage. For someone seeking representation, that inconsistency can make it harder to tell who is actually licensed to practice law.

Why You Need a Licensed Attorney in South Carolina

Understanding the difference between a lawyer and an attorney becomes essential when you are dealing with a real legal issue. While someone with a law degree may be qualified to write about legal topics or teach a class, that does not mean they are licensed to represent you in court.

If you are filing a lawsuit, attending a hearing, or negotiating a legal settlement, you need someone who is licensed to practice law in South Carolina. Only attorneys who are admitted to the South Carolina Bar can provide legal advice, sign pleadings, or speak on your behalf before a judge. Attempting to work with someone who is not licensed could result in costly delays, missed deadlines, or an outcome that puts your future at risk.

South Carolina takes unauthorized practice of law seriously. The state prohibits unlicensed individuals from acting as legal representatives, and courts will not allow filings or arguments from someone who has not met the bar’s requirements. Working with a licensed attorney helps ensure that your rights are protected at every stage of the process.

How Legal Representation Affects the Outcome of Your Case in South Carolina

Hiring a licensed attorney often improves your ability to reach a successful outcome in a legal dispute. While every case is unique, research indicates that having a lawyer contributes to more effective case preparation, stronger negotiation, and fewer procedural errors.

Legal representation is not just about legal knowledge. It includes experience with procedural rules, understanding how local courts operate, and knowing when and how to challenge an unfair decision. In personal injury and workers’ compensation matters, having an attorney can reduce the risk of missing important deadlines, submitting incomplete documentation, or accepting a settlement that does not reflect the full value of your losses. Although South Carolina does not publish a specific success rate for represented claimants, state law and procedural rules are complex. A licensed attorney can guide you through the process, from filing through final resolution.

If you are unsure whether someone is authorized to represent you, the South Carolina Bar offers a public directory where you can check a person’s license status. This tool also shows whether they have faced public disciplinary action. A legitimate attorney should be able to provide a bar number, confirm their standing, and describe their experience in similar cases.

Legal issues that affect your income, health, or family life should never be handled by someone who is not fully qualified to advocate for you. Choosing a licensed South Carolina attorney ensures that your rights are protected and that your case is handled according to the law.

Talk To A Licensed South Carolina Attorney Today

If you are dealing with an injury, a denied claim, or any legal issue that affects your future, you deserve answers from someone fully qualified to help. At the Steinberg Law Firm, our attorneys are licensed to practice in South Carolina and have extensive experience representing individuals and families throughout the Lowcountry. We do not just explain your rights. We act on them. Call us at 843-720-2800 or reach out through our online contact form to schedule your free consultation. There is no cost to speak with us, and we are ready to help you move forward.