The term 'attorney at law' has its origins in the British legal system. There was distinction between a private attorney who was hired for pay in business or legal affairs; and an attorney at law or public attorney who was a qualified legal agent in the courts of Common Law. This distinction was eventually abolished in England at the turn of the 19th Century when lawyers became known as 'solicitors,' but in the Americas the term was adopted to refer to any practitioner of the law.Matthew Reischer, Esq.I operate the nation's largest nonprofit network of financial professionals (financial planners, investment advisors, CPAs, estate attorneys, etc.). Just as one can be an "attorney-at-law," providing legal representation to an individual, one can be an "attorney-in-fact," representing another in participating in and/or executing legal agreements.Rob DruryExecutive Director of the Association of Christian Financial AdvisorsIf you are given power of attorney, you have a power that goes beyond mere agency, you can do binding things that do not require the principal's ratification.AnonymousThe term "attorney at law" is an historical inheritance from England, where, until 1873, lawyers authorized to practice in the common law courts were known as "attorneys at law." That year, the Judicature Act abolished the term "attorney" in England and replaced it with "solicitor."These days, there is little meaning to the "at law" addition (the same goes for identifying attorneys as "Esq."), since an attorney at law is simply an attorney. It does distinguish one, however, from an attorney-in-fact, which is an agent designated by an individual. The agent does not have to be a licensed attorney, as when someone is designated in a power of attorney.Law Office of Daniel J. BernardWell you could also be an "attorney-in-fact" which is someone exercising their authority under a Durable Power of Attorney.Kimberli A. Taylor, ParalegalConover & Grebe, LLPTo answer the question, there is such a thing as an "attorney-in-fact." An "attorney in fact" is someone who has been designated, pursuant to either a Power of Attorney agreement, or some other operation of law, to be empowered with certain powers-- usually financial in nature. Thus, there is a difference between an "attorney at law" (someone who is admitted to practice law in a certain jurisdiction) and an "attorney in fact" (someone who is given specific powers to act in the name of another). Bobby Kouretchian , AttorneyKoza Law GroupOur legal system recognizes different types of attorneys. Probably the most well-known is the attorney in fact, who is someone designated under a power of attorney. An attorney in fact doesn't have a client, they have a principal. An attorney in fact isn't authorized to represent their principal in court, or file legal actions on their behalf. An attorney at law is someone who is under a license from the court to practice law, and the designation implies that they are representing a client as a third party.James R. Snell, Jr.Attorney at LawLaw Office of James R. Snell, Jr.The only distinction I know of is between an Attorney At Law, which means an attorney licensed to practice law before a court, and an Attorney In Fact, which is someone acting under a Power of Attorney. Both are technically attorneys, but you would typically never find someone with a Power of Attorney refer to themselves a "an attorney."Scot Conway, California AttorneyThe term "attorney at law" may seem redundant, but it is not when one understands the older meaning of the word "attorney." It originally meant representative. So an "attorney at law" was a representative of the law. Hence a "Power of Attorney" was the "power of the representative." An "attorney in fact" was a "representative based on situation" and so on.Keoki WallaceManaging AttorneyI'm not a lawyer. But, the definition of attorney is to act on behalf of someone like in business or law. Attorney at Law merely distinguishes what type of attorney.Author of A River in the Ocean, When You Miss Me, and Thoughts and ReconsiderationYou can also be an "attorney in fact."John Z WetmoreProducer of "Perils For Pedestrians" TelevisionAn attorney at law is someone who has passed the bar examination and is permitted by the state to practice law. An attorney in fact is someone who can represent someone else through a power of attorney, a document that gives them certain powers to act on the person's behalf. Being an attorney in fact gives you the right to make decisions for the person who granted you the powers, but does not permit you to practice law - you must still hire an attorney (unless you are representing yourself). Conversely, an attorney at law can represent someone else in the practice of law, but cannot make decisions on their behalf, including whether to settle or any other decisions.Thomas J. Simeone, Esq.Attorney at law distinguishes from an attorney in fact. The latter can be anyone to whom you have signed over decision making authority through a power of attorney. Most people can be an attorney in fact with a valid POA, but only those licensed can be an attorney at law.Sean MorrisonAttorney at lawI believe this comes from the English system where you had law and chancery courts. You could be an attorney before the chancery court or before the law court. In the United States, for many years, some jurisdictions did have chancery division for civil cases and the law division for criminal cases. However, an attorney admitted to the bar of that state was authorized to practice before both.Edrie A. Pfeiffer,AttorneyHampton Roads Legal ServicesThe other most common term is "attorney in fact." Attorney simply means "one who represents another." Only licensed attorneys are attorneys at law. If someone wants to have you act for them, they draft a "power of attorney" and give you certain authority. For example, your company transfers you and you cannot attend the closing on your old house because you are now working elsewhere. You give a friend power of attorney to attend the closing and sign all the papers on your behalf.Tom ReidChief Problem SolverCertified Contracting Solutions, LLCAnyone can be appointed to be an "Attorney in fact" which means they have been given power of attorney to do something specific (like signing something) for someone else.An Attorney at law is someone who can be appointed to do things for other people in legal proceedings or in transactions.I practice law in the Falkland Islands where the title is the much plainer Legal Practitioner!Having said that, there is no Falkland Islands Bar as such and the Legal Practitioners Ordinance lists qualifications from elsewhere that are recognized here: these include titles such as Solicitors, Barristers, Advocates and even Proctors ... and, yes, Attorneys!Ronnie MacLennan BairdR J MacLennan Baird practicing as Ronnie MB - Law & PolicyI am a "restorative lawyer." I used to be an "attorney at law" and was a deputy attorney general for the state of Hawai'i (one of about 100).I got into public health 20 years ago and since have been a health educator and a lawyer helping people heal after being harmed. I remain licensed as a lawyer and work with our local bar association on access to justice in our state.-Lorenn Walker, J.D., M.P.H."Attorney at Law" comes from the English where some attorneys practiced at the Common Law Courts, hence attorney at law.-Joan Wenner, J.D.Get theonly on LawCrossing.com