counsels

Counsel is a term with several related meanings in law and in everyday language. As a noun, it can refer to advice or guidance given in a formal or deliberate way, or to the act of giving such advice. It can also denote a person who provides legal advice or representation, typically a lawyer or a team of lawyers. When referring to lawyers, counsel can function as a collective noun (for example, “the defense counsel”), and its plural form appears in some contexts as “counsels” to indicate multiple lawyers; in many formal writings, however, speakers prefer phrases like “counsel for the defense” or simply “the defense team.”

In legal practice, "counsel" is commonly used to denote the attorney or attorneys acting for a party in a case. The emphasis is on advisory and representational roles rather than the client relationship itself. In contrast, terms such as “attorney” or “lawyer” are broader and may be used more generally, while “counsel” is often favored in formal briefs, court opinions, and professional titles.

As a verb, to counsel means to advise or urge someone to consider options or actions. The third-person singular present tense is “counsels,” as in “The attorney counsels patience.” Related forms include “counseling” (the act of giving counsel) and “counselor” (a person who provides guidance, sometimes in non-legal contexts).

Etymology traces counsel to Old French conseil and Latin consilium, reflecting its roots in advice and deliberation. In usage, the distinction between counsel as advice, counsel as a lawyer, and counsel as a verb helps clarify whether one is discussing guidance, legal representation, or the act of advising.