1. lawyers who deal with petty cases or use questionable methods
Usage: derogatory
2. people who argue over trivial matters or engage in petty quibbling
Usage: derogatory

Examples

• The courthouse was filled with pettifoggers looking for easy cases.
• She dismissed them as mere pettifoggers who couldn’t handle serious legal work.
• The meeting was derailed by pettifoggers arguing over minor procedural details.
• Real attorneys avoid being associated with such pettifoggers.
• The contract negotiations stalled because of pettifoggers on both sides.
• He accused his opponents of being pettifoggers who missed the bigger picture.