He could be considered a lawyer even if he is not registered before the bar. He could be an attorney-in-fact at any time for anybody for many kinds of cases. This is a quibble.
It's not a quibble. You're either a lawyer or you aren't one. The difference is passing the bar and being licensed to hold yourself out to the public as a lawyer, which involves passing a character fitness exam, being legally subject to the discipline a lawyer is, and having to maintain continuing legal education requirements. Unlicensed persons who "practice law," as that is defined in various jurisdictions, are subject to severe penalties up to and including jail time. When Ford referred to himself as a "lawyer," he told a bald faced lie, a lie that characterizes the entire disingenuous campaign he's running. Your remark reminds me of the Bent One saying he "didn't have sex" with Monica.
"He could be considered a lawyer even if he is not registered before the bar. He could be an attorney-in-fact at any time for anybody for many kinds of cases. This is a quibble."
Wrong! You cannot represent someone on legal matters without a license. You may want to look up what attorney in fact actually means (it is more of an agent capacity).