officer legal definition

A person who holds a position (office) of trust, command, or authority. In public affairs, the term usually applies to a person who holds a government position and is authorized to perform certain functions. In corporate law, it is a person appointed or elected by the companyÂ’s board of directors. The term usually implies some form of tenure, duration, and emolument.

Generally, a lawyer, in connection with his dealings with and in a court, is said to be an officer of the court as a result of his special relationship to the court and the trust placed in a lawyer by the court.