The word "attorney" as used in these rules refers to any person admitted to practice in the superior courts of Georgia, and to any person who is permitted, in accordance with law, to represent a party in an action pending in a superior court of the State of Georgia, and to any person proceeding pro se in an action pending in a superior court of this state. The word "attorney" is synonymous with "counsel" in these rules.
Rule 2.1.Attorney
Rule 2. DEFINITIONS · Last amended 1997 · Last verified July 17, 2026
In one sentenceRule 2.1 defines “attorney” broadly to include anyone admitted to practice before Georgia’s superior courts, anyone otherwise permitted by law to represent a party in a pending superior court action, and any pro se litigant, and states that “attorney” and “counsel” mean the same thing throughout the rules.
Full Text of Rule 2.1
Plain-English Summary
Rule 2.1 sets the meaning of a word that appears throughout the Uniform Superior Court Rules. “Attorney” covers three groups: anyone admitted to practice in Georgia’s superior courts, anyone else permitted by law to represent a party in a pending superior court action, and anyone proceeding pro se. That third category is easy to overlook, but it does real work — a self-represented litigant falls within the definition of “attorney” for purposes of reading the rest of the rules, so provisions addressed to “attorneys” reach pro se parties as well.
The rule also collapses a distinction some readers might expect to matter: “attorney” and “counsel” are synonymous throughout the Uniform Superior Court Rules. Wherever either word shows up in a later rule, it refers to the same three categories of people Rule 2.1 defines here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does “attorney” in the Uniform Superior Court Rules mean only a licensed lawyer?
No. Rule 2.1 defines it to include a person admitted to practice in Georgia’s superior courts, a person otherwise permitted by law to represent a party, and a person proceeding pro se.
Is a self-represented litigant covered by rules that refer to “attorneys”?
Yes. Rule 2.1 expressly includes any person proceeding pro se in an action pending in a superior court of the state within the definition of “attorney.”
Is “counsel” a different concept from “attorney” under these rules?
No. Rule 2.1 states that “attorney” is synonymous with “counsel” in these rules.
What are the three categories of people the word “attorney” reaches?
Persons admitted to practice in Georgia’s superior courts, persons otherwise permitted by law to represent a party in a pending action, and pro se litigants.
When was Rule 2.1 last amended?
October 9, 1997.
Amendment History
Amended effective October 9, 1997.
Source & verification. Rule text and amendment history are
reproduced verbatim from the Uniform Superior Court Rules, published by the
Council of Superior Court Judges of Georgia. Last verified July 17, 2026.
· Official source
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