lawyerly

Lawyerly is an adjective used to describe qualities associated with lawyers or the practice of law. It can denote rigorous legal reasoning, meticulous attention to procedure, or a manner of speaking and writing that resembles courtroom or professional advocacy. In different contexts, lawyerly behavior may be praised for precision or criticized for pedantry.

The term is formed from the noun lawyer with the common adverbial suffix -ly and is widely used in contemporary English to characterize behavior, style, or argumentation that resembles professional legal practice.

Usage typically highlights two related strands. In legal writing and argument, a lawyerly approach emphasizes precise citations, formal structure, and strict adherence to legal standards. In literary or rhetorical contexts, it can describe a style that is overly cautious, procedural, or technically precise, sometimes at the expense of clarity or accessibility. The word can carry neutral, appreciative, or pejorative connotations depending on tone and context.

Examples include describing a court argument as "lawyerly in its insistence on precedent," or criticizing a policy brief for being overly "lawyerly" and inaccessible to non-experts.

See also: legal language, legalese, jurisprudence, legal ethics, rhetorical style.