attorney / lawyer
Two words for someone trained in the law.
A lawyer is a person trained in the law. An attorney is a lawyer acting for a client; the word names the role. In the United States the two are often used as synonyms. Use lawyer for the profession in general. Use attorney when the person is representing someone, or when the title is fixed: district attorney, attorney general.
Examples
UseShe became a lawyer in 2012.
UseHer attorney filed the brief.
Avoidcalling every law graduate an attorney when no client is in view