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

Patricia Glaser, the veteran litigator who is often in the thick of so many high-wattage conflicts, was this year’s Power of Law career achievement honoree. —Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 9 Apr. 2026

Shell’s dealings with Cipriani began with an August 2024 meeting at litigator Patty Glaser’s Century City office. —Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2026

Creditors and litigators analyze patterns, timing and intent. —Ascend Agency, New York Daily News, 11 Mar. 2026

An accomplished litigator with extensive experience in media and First Amendment law, Townsend’s practice focuses on representing and advising individual and corporate clients in the media, entertainment, and technology industries. —Matthew Carey, Deadline, 11 Mar. 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