Pettifogger — Law Dictionary

The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary

Walter A. Shumaker and George Foster Longsdorf; ed. James C. Cahill · 1922

Ojne who pretends to be a lawyer, but possesses neither knowledge of the law nor conscience. An unprincipled practitioner of law, whose business is confined to petty cases. See 40 Mich. 256. See, also, "Shyster."

Ballentine's Law Dictionary

James A. Ballentine · 1916

A shyster; one practicing law in an unprofessional manner.

Bouvier's Law Dictionary and Concise Encyclopedia

John Bouvier; revised by Francis Rawle · 1914

One who pretends to be a lawyer, but possesses neither knowledge of the law nor conscience. An unprincipled practitioner of law, whose PETTY AVERAGE (called, also, customary average). Several petty charges which are borne partly by the ship and partly by the cargo, such as the expense o f tonnage, beaconage, etc. Abb. Sh. 13th ed. 658; 2 Tars. Mar. Law 312; 1 Bell, Com. 567. See Average,

Black's Law Dictionary

Henry Campbell Black, M.A. · 1910

A lawyer who is em ployed in a small or mean business, or who carries on a disreputable business by unprincipled or dishonorable means. "We think that the term 'pettifogging shyster' needed no definition by wiinesses before the jury. This combination of epithets, every lawyer and citizen knows, belongs to none but unscrupulous practitioners who disgrace their profession by doing mean work, and resort to sharp practice to do it." Bailey v. Kalamazoo Pub. Co., 40 Mich. 256.