counter
counter. Hist. An advocate or professional pleader; one who counts (i.e., orally recites) for a client. • Counters had coalesced into an identifiable group practicing before the Common Bench by the beginning of the 13th century. They were the leaders of the medieval legal profession, and over time came to be known as serjeants-at-law. — Also spelled countor; contor; counteur. See SERJEANT-AT-LAW.