Crossword Genius

Top lawyer initially representing Silver (8,7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

attorney general

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'top' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't understand how they can define each other.

'lawyer initially representing silver' is the wordplay.
'lawyer' becomes 'attorney' (synonyms).
'initially' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other) (some letters go before others).
'representing silver' becomes 'general' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'attorney'+'general'='ATTORNEY-GENERAL'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for attorney general that I've seen before include "Senior lawyer" , "Chief law officer" , "chief legal officer" , "Lawman" , "Crown legal officer" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.
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