Reason for copper to bring up a free solicitor (8)

I believe the answer is:

procurer

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'a free solicitor' is the definition.
'procurer' can be an answer for 'solicitor' (I've seen this before). I am not certain of the 'a free' bit.

'reason for copper to bring up' is the wordplay.
'reason for' becomes 'pro'.
'copper' becomes 'Cu' (chemical symbol).
'to bring up' becomes 'rer' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'pro'+'cu'+'rer'='PROCURER'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for procurer that I've seen before include "One who obtains something" , "He'll get" , "One securing" , "Solicitor" , "One getting" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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