Lawyers, also known as attorneys or counselors, are professionals who specialize in the practice of law. They provide legal advice and representation to their clients, and often specialize in a particular area of law such as criminal law, family law, or corporate law. The term 'attorneys' is derived from the Latin word for 'LAWYER, ' and refers to those who are licensed to practice law. The term 'the bar' is a reference to the legal profession, and is used to refer to the collective body of lawyers in a given jurisdiction.