Adverse Interest
right or concern that is contrary to the interest or claim of another
Adverse Party
opposite side in a lawsuit
Adverse Possession
means to acquire title to land through obvious occupancy of the land, while 
claiming ownership for the period of years set by the law of the state where the 
property exists
Adverse Witness
a witness in a trial who is found by the judge to be adverse to the position of 
the party whose attorney is questioning the witness, even thought he attorney 
called the witness to testify on his client
Advisory Opinion
an opinion stated by a judge or a court upon the request of a legislative body 
or government agency; an advisory opinion has no force of law but is given as a 
matter of courtesy
Advocacy
act of favoring or supporting a body of work or individual
Affiant
person who signs an affidavit and swears to its 
truth before a notary public or some person authorized to take oaths, like a 
county clerk
Affidavit
1) any written document in which the signer 
swears under oath before a notary public or someone authorized to take oaths 
that the statements in the document are true 2) In many states, a declaration 
under penalty of perjury, which does not require the oath-taking before a 
notary, is the equivalent of an affidavit
Affirm
1) to offer a declaration of support in a judicial capacity 2) what an appeals 
court does if it agrees with and confirms a lower court's decision 3) to state 
positively 
Affirmative Action
The process of a business or governmental agency 
in which it gives special rights of hiring or advancement to ethnic 
minorities