Talk:Of counsel

This has been made rather US centric I think. Should this still be in the UK law section? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 86.130.216.70 (talk) 13:08, 2 October 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Isn't it an American term? American only perhaps. If it is, the article should say so. If it isn't, the article should give examples of usage elsewhere. Wimstead 01:12, 2 December 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Over the last years, this title has become quite common here in Germany as well, due to the expansion of Anglo-American law firms and tax advisory/CPA firms. In fact, I came here to find an elaborate definition of this term. However, I also find the article too US centric.--82.135.32.38 (talk) 21:27, 21 April 2009 (UTC)[reply]

In The Netherlands the designation is used as well. Then it usually refers to a senior (former) attorney at a law firm in advisory role, for instance lawyers who have become university professor. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Rbakels (talk • contribs) 12:15, 17 December 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Low importance?[edit]

I think this should be low, rather than mid, importance. Superm401 - Talk 15:17, 3 January 2008 (UTC)[reply]

SCOTUS usage[edit]

US Supreme Court briefs appear to use the term somewhat differently, with the brief submitted by one lawyer or firm, listed as "Counsel of Record for Such-and-such Company," and then additional lawyers or firms may be listed as "Of Counsel to Such-and-such Company." Is there a convenience sourcing/defininition for this usage? jhawkinson (talk) 12:05, 3 May 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Common sense would tell you, Jhawkinson, that that's not the usage this article is concerned with. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 220.255.1.147 (talk) 04:43, 30 January 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Language[edit]

Could someone explain the words "of counsel"? I would expect "off counsel" - but I am not a native English speaker. Rbakels (talk) 12:16, 17 December 2012 (UTC)[reply]

I agree. I also do not understand in which sense the word "of" is used in "of counsel". "Of", normally means "something that belongs to something else". I am also not native English speaker, and would be grateful to understand. AristoTel (talk) 11:12, 27 November 2022 (UTC)[reply]

Another situation[edit]

I don't have a reference but my understanding is that another situation in which a lawyer may be "of counsel" is when he or she practices in an area not included in the firm's practice but for which it has some use. A common example would be a corporate firm that does not handle criminal cases. It may be useful to such a firm to have a close relationship with a criminal defense lawyer to handle criminal matters for clients or their families.Bill (talk) 02:23, 10 September 2018 (UTC)[reply]