shyster
Unethical legal practitioner
A shyster is a person who uses unscrupulous or dishonest methods, especially a lawyer or politician: The shyster convinced her to sign away her inheritance.
The word implies not just incompetence but active dishonesty—someone who exploits others through deception or manipulation of rules.
Though originally applied to lawyers, it extends to any professional who operates unethically.
Professional fraud perpetrator
- fraudIntentional criminal trickery
- charlatanFaker claiming false expertise
- cheatAct dishonestly to win
- scammerOne who defrauds others
grifter · hustler · crook · swindler · flimflam · racketeer · huckster · confidence man
Contemptible, unethical person
- lowlifeDisreputable, despicable person
- scoundrelDishonest, unscrupulous person
- slimeballMorally repugnant person
- creepStealthy, slow movement
weasel · shark · bottom-feeder · vulture · predator · parasite · bloodsucker · smooth talker
One who speaks officially
- disbarredRemoved from legal profession
- malpracticeHarmful professional negligence
- pettifoggingFussing over trivialities
- frivolous lawsuitGroundless court case
courthouse · retainer · contingency fee · misconduct · litigator · solicitor · counsel · barrister
con artist
Professional fraud perpetrator
- fraudIntentional criminal trickery
- charlatanFaker claiming false expertise
- cheatAct dishonestly to win
scammer · grifter · hustler · crook · swindler · flimflam · racketeer · huckster · confidence man · mountebank
sleazeball
Contemptible, unethical person
- lowlifeDisreputable, despicable person
- scoundrelDishonest, unscrupulous person
- slimeballMorally repugnant person
creep · weasel · shark · bottom-feeder · vulture · predator · parasite · bloodsucker · smooth talker · fast-talker
mouthpiece
One who speaks officially
- disbarredRemoved from legal profession
- malpracticeHarmful professional negligence
- pettifoggingFussing over trivialities
frivolous lawsuit · courthouse · retainer · contingency fee · misconduct · litigator · solicitor · counsel · barrister · advocate
- Crookscrook, swindler, fraudster, embezzler, con artist
- swindlerscon artist, swindler, fraudster, scammer, grifter
- job slangcop, doc, medic, cabbie, barista
- lawyerslawyer, attorney, defense attorney, defense counsel, counselor
shysterhonest broker
Impartial third-party negotiator
straight shooter · public defender · legal aid lawyer · fiduciary · officer of the court