private law

noun

: a branch of law concerned with private persons, property, and relationships compare public law

Examples of private law in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Jennifer, 41, is an energy attorney for a private law firm. Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2024 Burke had been accused of pressing real estate developers to hire his private law firm in exchange for official favors such as lucrative tax breaks. Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 30 Jan. 2024 The reporting on the New York lawsuit also disclosed that the climate advocacy groups advanced funds to private law firms to be used to research and prepare the climate lawsuits for the state’s attorneys to file. Ed Hirs, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2024 The school board met to review findings from investigations by a private law firm and the county’s inspector general of how the school system handled allegations of employee misconduct. Nicole Asbury, Washington Post, 7 Feb. 2024 Planned Parenthood is also a plaintiff in the Kentucky lawsuit, and both are represented by attorneys from the American Civil Liberties Union, Planned Parenthood Federation of America and two private law firms. Daniella Silva, NBC News, 8 Dec. 2023 He is licensed to practice law in Indiana and Arizona and has a private law practice on the west side of Phoenix. Alexandra Hardle, The Arizona Republic, 22 Mar. 2023 Working from a private law firm, Foltz drew maps that later were thrown out, according to local press reports. Marilyn W. Thompson, ProPublica, 18 Oct. 2023 The judge overseeing the racketeering case against former President Donald Trump and 18 others declined on Thursday to hold a hearing to sanction a special prosecutor whose private law firm sent a solicitation to four of the defendants offering legal services. Chris Joyner, ajc, 14 Sep. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'private law.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1773, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of private law was in 1773

Dictionary Entries Near private law

Cite this Entry

“Private law.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/private%20law. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Legal Definition

private law

noun
: a branch of law concerned with private persons, property, and relationships compare public law

More from Merriam-Webster on private law

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