litigator

noun

lit·​i·​ga·​tor ˈli-tə-ˌgā-tər 

plural litigators

: one who carries on a legal contest by judicial process : one who litigates legal cases

As a civil-rights litigator, Payton had argued a Richmond, Va., case before the Supreme Court …

—William Greider

For thirty years he had been a ruthless litigator, the meanest, nastiest, and without a doubt one of the most effective courtroom brawlers in Chicago.

—John Grisham

In the 1950's and 60's, he became known as the consummate litigator. Lawyers and judges describe him in the courtroom as wily, charming, eloquent and erudite, with a light but deft touch at cross-examination.

—Jan Hoffman

Examples of litigator in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The journalist said her late father, intellectual property litigator James Harlow, and the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg inspired her decision to advance her legal knowledge. — Andrea Wurzburger, PEOPLE, 18 July 2026

Between outside economists and litigators, the states could end up spending $20 million. — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 14 July 2026

All three are represented by Greg Leyh, a civil litigator based in Kansas City. — Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 9 July 2026

However, extravagant demands from government litigators are better suited to generate breathless headlines than favorable court rulings. — David B McGarry, Oc Register, 8 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1778, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for litigator

• activator
• actuator
• agitator
• alligator
• allocator
• alternator
• animator
• annotator
• applicator
• arbitrator
• aspirator
• aviator

Legal Definition

litigator

noun

lit·​i·​ga·​tor ˈli-tə-ˌgā-tər 

: one that litigates

especially : a lawyer skilled at litigation