Definition of Attorney

In the most general sense this term denotes an agent or substitute or one who is appointed and authorized to act in the place or stead of another. In re Ricker, 66 N. H. 207, 29 Atl. 559, 24 In H. A. 740; Eichelberger v. Sitford, 27 Md. 320. It is "an ancient English word, and signi-fieth one that is set in the turne, stead, or place of another; and of these some be private and some be publike, as attorneys at law." Co. Litt. 51b, 128a; Britt. 285b. One who is appointed by another to do something in his absence, and who has authority to act in the place and turn of him by whom he is delegated. When used with reference to the proceedings ol courts, or the transaction of business in the courts, the term always means "attorney at law," q. v. And see People v. May, 3 Mich. GO5 ; Kelly v. Herb, 147 Pa. 563, 23 Atl. 8S9; Clark v. Morse, 16 La. 576.
—Attorney ad hoc. See Ad Hoc.
—Attorney at large. In old practice. An attorney who practised m all the courts. Cowell.
—Attorney in fact. A private attorney authorized by another to act in his place and stead, either for some particular purpose, as to do a particular act, or for the transaction of business in general, not of a legal character. This authority is conferred by an instrument in writing, called a "letter of attorney," or more commonly a "power of attorney." Treat v. Tolman, 113 Fed. 893, 51 O. C. A. 522; Hall v. Sawyer, 47 Barb. (N. Y.) 119; White v. Furgeson, 29 Ind. App 144, 64 N. E. 49
—Attorney of record. The one whose name is entered on the record of an action or suit as the attorney of a designated party thereto. Delaney v. Husband, 64 N. J. Law, 275, 45 Atl. 265.
—Attorney of the wards and liveries. In English law. This was the third officer of the duchy court. Bac. Abr. "Attorney."
— Public attorney. This name is sometimes given to an attorney at law, as distinguished from a private attorney, or attorney in fact
— Attorney's certificate. In English law. A certificate that the attorney named has pnid the annual tax or duty. This is required to be taken out every year by nil practising attorneys under a penalty of fifty pounds.
—Attorney's lien. See Lien.
—Letter of attorney. A power of attorney; a written instrument by which one person constitutes another his true and lawful attorney, in order that the latter may de for the former, and in his place and stead, some lawful act. People v. Smith, 112 Mich. 192, 70 N. W. 466, 67 Ain. St. Rep. 392; Civ. Code La. 1900. art. 2985.