splitter (of causes), n. — Green’s Dictionary of Slang

splitter (of causes) n.

[the profession’s reputation as splitters of legal hairs]

a lawyer.

c.1698		B.E. Dict. Canting Crew n.p.: Splitter-of-causes a Lawyer.
1725		New Canting Dict. [as cit. c.1698].
1737, 1759, 1760, 1776		Bailey Universal Etym. Eng. Dict. [as cit. c.1698].
c.1750–1882		B.M. Carew Life and Adventures.
1770		Foote Lame Lover in Works (1799) II 60: Why not, my old splitter of causes?