Philadelphia lawyer

Philadelphia lawyer
A colloquial term that was initially a compliment to the legal expertise and competence of an attorney due to the outstanding reputation of the Philadelphia bar during colonial times. More recently the term has become a disparaging label for an attorney who is skillful in the manipulation of the technicalities and intricacies of the law to the advantage of his or her client, although the spirit of the law might be violated.

Dictionary from West's Encyclopedia of American Law. 2005.


Philadelphia lawyer
A colloquial term that was initially a compliment to the legal expertise and competence of an attorney due to the outstanding reputation of the Philadelphia bar during colo nial times. More recently the term has become a disparaging label for an attorney who is skillful in the manipulation of the technicalities and intricacies of the law to the advantage of his or her client, although the spirit of the law might be violated.

Short Dictionary of (mostly American) Legal Terms and Abbreviations.

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  • Philadelphia lawyer — is a term to describe a lawyer who knows the most detailed and minute points of law. Its first usage dates back to 1788. [ [http://www.merriam webster.com/dictionary/Philadelphia%20lawyer Philadelphia lawyer] . Definition at Merriam… …   Wikipedia

  • Philadelphia lawyer — ☆ Philadelphia lawyer n. [so named in reference to Andrew Hamilton, of Philadelphia, who obtained acquittal (1735) of J. P. Zenger from libel charges] Informal a clever, shrewd, or tricky lawyer, esp. one skilled in taking advantage of legal… …   English World dictionary

  • Philadelphia lawyer — Lawyer Law yer, n. [From {Law}, like bowyer, fr. bow.] 1. One versed in the laws, or a practitioner of law; one whose profession is to conduct lawsuits for clients, or to advise as to prosecution or defence of lawsuits, or as to legal rights and… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Philadelphia Lawyer —    During the eighteenth century a popular belief held that a Philadelphia lawyer was an awesome legal adversary. The reputation of a Philadelphia lawyer carried with it a picture of great talent and the ability to expose the weaknesses of… …   Dictionary of eponyms

  • philadelphia lawyer — noun Usage: usually capitalized P : an exceptionally competent lawyer language that … cannot be correctly and definitely interpreted even by a Philadelphia lawyer Journal of Accountancy especially : a shrewd lawyer versed in the intricacies of… …   Useful english dictionary

  • Philadelphia Lawyer (song) — Infobox Standard title=Philadelphia Lawyer comment=Reno Blues image size= caption= writer=Woody Guthrie composer= lyricist= published= written=1937 language=English form= original artist=Woody Guthrie recorded by=Woody Guthrie, Rosalie Sorrels,… …   Wikipedia

  • Philadelphia lawyer — noun Etymology: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Date: 1788 a lawyer knowledgeable in even the most minute aspects of the law …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • Philadelphia Lawyer — Andrew Hamilton, Philadelphia attorney who in 1734 and 1735 successfully defended New York printer Peter Zenger whose newspaper criticized British colonial policy in America Zenger had been unsuccessful in getting a New York lawyer to take his… …   Eponyms, nicknames, and geographical games

  • Philadelphia lawyer — a lawyer of outstanding ability at exploiting legal fine points and technicalities. [1780 90, Amer.] * * * …   Universalium

  • Philadelphia lawyer — Synonyms and related words: Artful Dodger, Yankee horse trader, ambulance chaser, apologist, arguer, argufier, casuist, charmer, controversialist, crafty rascal, debater, disceptator, disputant, dodger, fox, glib tongue, guardhouse lawyer, horse… …   Moby Thesaurus

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