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Jurist

Definition of Jurist

A jurist is someone who is thoroughly conversant in legal matters.

In the United States, the term is generally used to describe a judge or attorney. It can also be used to describe a legal scholar or a similar academic who has written extensively on legal topics. In the past, it pertained to someone who specialized in civil law.


Jurist Explained

Although "jurist" can be used as a generic term for any professional who is well versed in the law, such as a judge or lawyer, it also used to describe preeminent members of the legal profession. Examples of well-known American jurists include:

  • Thurgood Marshall, the first African-American to serve as an associate justice on the U.S. Supreme Court.
  • Sonia Maria Sotomayor, the first Hispanic woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court.
  • Ruth Joan Bader Ginsburg, the first Jewish woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court and the second woman to do so.
  • William Howard Taft, who was the only person in U.S. history to serve as chief justice and president.
  • Earl Warren, who was a governor and 14th chief justice of the United States.




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