1. a lawyer who deals with petty cases or uses questionable methods
Usage: often derogatory
2. a person who argues over trivial matters or uses petty, underhanded tactics
Usage: derogatory

Examples

• The wealthy businessman refused to hire the local pettifogger for his important case.
• She dismissed him as a pettifogger who cared more about fees than justice.
• The small-town pettifogger handled mostly traffic violations and minor disputes.
• Don’t be such a pettifogger about the contract details.
• The judge grew tired of the pettifogger’s constant objections over minor points.
• He built his reputation as more than just a pettifogger by taking on significant cases.