"Attorney" and "lawyer" are used interchangeably in everyday conversation, and in most practical contexts, that's fine — but there's a technical distinction worth knowing, especially if you're trying to understand exactly who you're working with.
Lawyer: someone trained in the law
"Lawyer" broadly describes anyone who has studied law, typically by earning a law degree — but having a law degree alone doesn't authorize someone to practice law or represent clients in court.
Attorney: licensed to practice
"Attorney" (short for "attorney at law") specifically refers to someone who has passed the bar exam and is licensed to practice law and represent clients in a given jurisdiction — the credential that actually authorizes legal representation.
Why the distinction rarely matters day to day
In ordinary usage, essentially everyone practicing law is both a lawyer and an attorney, which is why the terms get used interchangeably without causing confusion in most conversations.
When it's actually worth checking
If you want to confirm someone is actually licensed and in good standing to practice in your state — not just trained in law — checking your state bar association's attorney directory is the reliable way to verify, regardless of which term they use to describe themselves.