Playwright calling for lawyer before start of dispute (3,4)
'playwright' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe there's an association between them I don't understand?
'lawyer before start of dispute' is the wordplay.
'lawyer before' becomes 'thebar' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'start of' indicates taking the first letters.
The initial letter of 'dispute' is 'd'.
'thebar'+'d'='THE BARD'
'calling for' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Another definition for the bard that I've seen is " Shakespeare".)