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The US legal system involves many professionals who perform different roles in courts, law firms, and government agencies. 


Judges oversee cases and make rulings, attorneys represent clients, prosecutors pursue criminal charges, and public defenders protect the rights of defendants. Other legal roles such as paralegals, court clerks, bailiffs, and mediators support the legal process behind the scenes. 


This guide explains the most common legal roles in the United States, what each position does, and how these professionals work together within the justice system.

Legal Roles in the United States

Attorney at Law vs Counselor at Law
Attorney vs Lawyer
Coroner vs Medical Examiner?
Creditor vs Debtor?
Notary vs Attorney
Paralegal vs Legal Assistant
Petitioner vs Respondent?
Plaintiff vs Defendant?
What Does Esquire (Esq.) Mean After a Name?
What Does JD Mean? (Juris Doctor)
What Does LLB Mean? (Bachelor of Laws — international)
What Does LLM Mean? (Master of Laws)
What is Of Counsel?
What Does SJD / JSD Mean? (Doctor of Juridical Science)
What is a Bailiff?
What is a Bankruptcy Judge?
What is a Trustee in Bankruptcy?
What is a Barrister? (UK comparison)
What is a CASA Volunteer?
What is a Chief Justice?
What is a Circuit Judge?
What is a City Attorney?
What is a Class Representative?
What is a Commissioner of Oaths?
What is a Compliance Officer?
What is a Conservator?
What is a Constable?
What is a County Attorney?
What is a Court-Appointed Special Advocate?
What is a Court Interpreter?
What is a Court Marshal?
What is a Court Reporter?
What is a Deponent?
What is a Deputy Sheriff?
What is a District Attorney (DA)?
What is a District Court Judge?
What is a Fact Witness?
What is a Family Court Judge?
What is a Federal Judge?
What is a General Counsel (GC)?
What is a Grand Jury?
What is a Guardian ad Litem (GAL)?
What is a Judge?
What is a Judicial Clerk?
What is a Justice of the Peace?
What is a Law Clerk?
What is a Legal Aid Attorney?
What is a Legal Assistant?
What is a Legal Guardian?
What is a Receiver (legal)?
What is a Legal Secretary?
What is a Lien Holder?
What is a Litigator?
What is a Lobbyist?
What is a Magistrate Judge?
What is a Mediator?
What is a Next Friend?
What is a Notary Public?
What is a Paralegal?
What is a Partner at a Law Firm?
What is a Personal Representative?
What is a Power of Attorney (the person)?
What is a Pro Bono Lawyer?
What is a Probate Judge?
What is a Process Server?
What is a Public Defender?
What is a Public Interest Lawyer?
What is a Registered Agent?
What is a Sheriff?
What is a Solicitor? (UK/international comparison)
What is a Solicitor General?
What is a Solo Practitioner?
What is a Special Master?
What is a Special Prosecutor?
What is a State Attorney?
What is a Supreme Court Justice?
What is a Transactional Lawyer?
What is a Trial Lawyer?
What is a US Attorney?
What is a US Marshal?
What is an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ)?
What is an Amicus Curiae?
What is an Apostille?
What is an Arbitrator?
What is an Associate at a Law Firm?
What is an Attorney General?
What is an Administrator of an Estate?
What is an Executor of an Estate?
What is an Expert Witness?
What is an Immigration Judge?
What is In-House Counsel?
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