Of counsel

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Of counsel
/ɒv/ /ˈkaʊns(ə)l/ (adj.)

The Bob Cunis of the law firm: neither one thing — an associate — nor the other — a partner. Someone with the chops and general ninjery to be a partner, that the partnership cannot for some reason bring themselves to share their lollies with.

“Of counsel”.

Now it is, of course, part of the American lawmakers’ sacred oath to perplex, befuddle and stretch the laiety’s credulity to breaking point: this we know. So we should not be surprised to find that the American Bar Association has a formal opinion on the subject of what you call people you can’t quite make up your mind how to feel about, nor that it is much too dreary to recount in any detail here.

For us, the most pressing question is why. Why “of” counsel? Perhaps this prepositional curiosity springs from the same well. Perhaps it speaks to a fundamental essence: in the same way that you might be “of fire”, or she “of water”, I am of counsel. Look, I’m reaching here.

See also

• Partner
• General counsel