| Verb |
Meaning |
Example Sentence (Present) |
Example Sentence (Past) |
Example Sentence (Future) |
| Advise |
To offer recommendations or legal counsel. |
The lawyer advises her client to settle out of court. |
He advised his client to plead not guilty. |
The attorney will advise the client on the best course of action. |
| Defend |
To protect or argue in favor of a client in a legal proceeding. |
The attorney defends her client vigorously in court. |
He defended his client against the accusations. |
The legal team will defend the company against the lawsuit. |
| Prosecute |
To institute legal proceedings against someone. |
The district attorney prosecutes the defendant for fraud. |
They prosecuted the case to the fullest extent of the law. |
The lawyer will prosecute the suspect for theft. |
| File |
To submit legal documents to the court for processing. |
The attorney files a motion to dismiss the case. |
They filed a lawsuit against the company last year. |
We will file the necessary paperwork by the end of the week. |
| Settle |
To resolve a legal dispute outside of court. |
They settle the case through mediation. |
We settled the matter out of court. |
The parties will settle the dispute through arbitration. |
| Sue |
To initiate legal proceedings against someone. |
The plaintiff sues the defendant for breach of contract. |
He sued the company for wrongful termination. |
They will sue the landlord for negligence. |
| Appeal |
To request a higher court to review a decision made by a lower court. |
The defense attorney appeals the verdict. |
They appealed the judge's ruling. |
The plaintiff will appeal the court's decision. |
| Testify |
To give evidence as a witness in a court of law. |
The witness testifies under oath. |
He testified about what he saw that night. |
She will testify about her interactions with the defendant. |
| Negotiate |
To discuss or arrange terms, especially in a legal context. |
The lawyers negotiate a settlement agreement. |
They negotiated a contract last month. |
We will negotiate the terms of the agreement with the other party. |
| Acquit |
To declare someone not guilty of a criminal charge. |
The jury acquits the defendant of all charges. |
The judge acquitted the accused due to lack of evidence. |
The defense attorney will argue to acquit the defendant. |