I get the impression, by what Caroline Bingley said sarcastically to Darcy of Mr Phillips being in the same profession as his uncle the Judge, only in different lines, that being a country attorney was not considered a very high-status profession at the time - and probably not university educated. It seems to me that Mr Gardiner in 'a respectable line of trade' was in a slightly more respectable position - even though both would be considered by Caroline to be beneath her :) . I've got no evidence for was the role or status of an attorney at the time though - anyone know ??