counsellor at law

COUNSELLOR AT LAW, offices. An officer in the supreme court of the United 
States, and in some other courts, who is employed by a party in a cause, to 
conduct the same on its trial on his behalf. He differs from an attorney at 
law. (q.v.) 
     2. In the supreme court of the United States, the two degrees of 
attorney and counsel are kept separate, and no person is permitted to 
practise both. It is the duty of the counsel to draft or review and correct 
the special pleadings, to manage the cause on trial, and, during the whole 
course of the suit, to apply established principles of law to the exigencies 
of the case. 1 Kent, Com. 307. 
     3. Generally in the other courts of the United States, as well as in 
the courts of Pennsylvania, the same person perform's the duty of counsellor 
and attorney at law. 
     4. In giving their advice to their clients, counsel and others, 
professional men have duties to perform to their clients, to the public, and 
to themselves. In such cases they have thrown upon them something which they 
owe to the fair administration of justice, as well as to the private 
interests of their employers. The interests propounded for them ought, in 
their own apprehension, to be just, or at least fairly disputable; and when 
such interests are propounded, they ought not to be pursued per fas et 
nefas. Hag. R. 22. 
     5. A counsellor is not a hired person, but a mandatory; he does not 
render his services for a price, but an honorarium, which may in some degree 
recompense his care, is his reward. Doubtless, he is not indifferent to this 
remuneration, but nobler motives influence his conduct. Follow him in his 
study when he examines his cause, and in court on the trial; see him 
identify himself with the idea of his client, and observe the excitement he 
feels on his account; proud when he is, conqueror, discouraged, sorrowful, 
if vanquished; see his whole soul devoted to the cause he has undertaken, 
and which he believes to be just, then you perceive the elevated man, 
ennobled by the spirit of his profession, full of sympathy for his cause and 
his client. He may receive a reward for his services, but such things cannot 
be paid for with money. No treasures can purchase the sympathy and 
devotedness of a noble mind to benefit humanity; these things are given, not 
sold. See Honorarium. 6. Ridley says, that the law has appointed no stipend 
to philosophers and lawyers not because they are not reverend services and 
worthy of reward or stipend, but because either of them are most honorable 
professions, whose worthiness is not to be valued or dishonored by money. 
Yet, in these cases many things are honestly taken, which are not honestly 
asked, and the judge may, according to the quality of the cause, and the 
still of the advocate, and the custom of the court, and, the worth of the 
matter that is in hand, appoint them a fee answerable to their place. View 
of the Civil and Eccles. Law, 38, 39.