law office / office
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law office
The offices of a lawyer, notary, or tax advisor where they carry out their professional work. It is often also used to refer to the entire firm or company.
Ich habe morgen einen Termin in der Kanzlei meines Anwalts.
I have an appointment at my lawyer's law office tomorrow.
chancellery / office
Historically or in certain governmental contexts, the office or administrative department of a high authority or ruler.
Die päpstliche Kanzlei ist für die Ausstellung offizieller Dokumente zuständig.
The papal chancellery is responsible for issuing official documents.
In modern German, 'Kanzlei' almost always refers to the office of a lawyer, notary, or tax advisor. The historical meaning of a government administrative office is found only in texts about history or in reference to very specific high authorities.
Die Kanzlei ist auf Familienrecht spezialisiert.
The law office specializes in family law.
Pay attention to the preposition 'in' and the correct case. 'In der Kanzlei' (in the law office, dative) describes the place where someone is. 'In die Kanzlei' (into/to the law office, accusative) describes movement toward that place.
Die Besprechung findet in der Kanzlei statt.
The meeting is taking place in the law office.
The word 'Kanzlei' is often combined with the related profession to specify the type. The most common forms are 'Anwaltskanzlei' (law firm/law office) and 'Steuerkanzlei' (tax consultancy office).
Er arbeitet als Anwalt in einer großen Anwaltskanzlei in der Innenstadt.
He works as a lawyer in a large law firm downtown.
company / firm
Firma and Kanzlei can both refer to the entire professional business. Firma is the general term for a business, whereas Kanzlei specifically refers to a business run by lawyers, notaries, or tax advisors. Use Kanzlei when this professional specialization is important; otherwise, use Firma.
Die Kanzlei beschäftigt inzwischen zwanzig Rechtsanwälte und Steuerberater.
The law firm now employs twenty lawyers and tax advisors.
Die Firma beschäftigt inzwischen zwanzig Personen.
The company now employs twenty people.
