Among the Jews, was one versed in the laws of Moses, which he expounded in the schools and synagogues (Matt. 22:35; Luke 10:25). The functions of the “lawyer” and “scribe” were identical. (See DOCTOR.)
Lawyer
In the Gospels a lawyer is an expert in God’s law. One such man in Matthew 22:35 stands up and asks Jesus a question, “tempting him”, about which commandment is greatest. Jesus answers by pointing to love for God and love for neighbour. The word also hangs over two sayings about settling disputes. Matthew 5:25 and Luke 12:58 urge a person to agree with an adversary quickly, before the case reaches the judge and the officer. Those verses speak of courts and not of lawyers by name, yet the advice is the same: settle matters early, while it is still possible.
3 verses
Matthew
Matthew 5:25
Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
Matthew 22:35
Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying,
Luke
Luke 12:58
When thou goest with thine adversary to the magistrate, as thou art in the way, give diligence that thou mayest be delivered from him; lest he hale thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and the officer cast thee into prison.
From Easton's Bible Dictionary
Matthew George Easton, 1897
From Smith's Bible Dictionary
William Smith, 1884
The title "lawyer" is generally supposed to be equivalent to the title "scribe." The scribe expounded the law in the synagogues and schools. [See SCRIBES]