ATTORNEY

(From the modern Latin tor no, whence attorno, attorn at us, signifying one who serves the turn, or is set in the place of another to do his busine .) An attorney is either private or public. A private attorney is a person who acts for another in Ihe conduct of his affairs out of court; for which purpose a verbal authority is in general sufficient; but for the performance of some acts, as, to deliver seisin of land, to transfer bank stock, or to execute a deed for another, lie must be authorised by a formal power of attorney. He is not nece arily of the profe ion jf the law; and the above, and all other tlte various matters unconnected with actual Litigation in which he maybe employed, such as the preparation of legal instruments, and the giving of advice and a ist. n: for and management of property, may be undertaken by any other person. A public attorney, or an al law, has been defined to be an officer of a court ol legally qualified to prosecute anil defend actions in courts of law on the retainer of clients. The circumstance o' his being an officer of the court in which he may practise [s. 118]