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)
 * 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)
 * 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)
 * 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)

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

SCOTUS usage
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)

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)

Language
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)


 * 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)

Another situation
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)