lawyer where were you

by Dr. Lew Renner DDS 8 min read

Where do lawyers work and where do they work?

The Dark Ages for lawyers ended in England in 1078. Norman lawyers discovered a loophole in Welsh law that allowed William the Conqueror to foreclose an old French loan and take most of England, Scotland, and Wales. William rewarded the lawyers for their work, and soon lawyers were again accepted in society.

What is a lawyer?

Apr 21, 2021 · The key question is whether the lawyer can deal with it and bounce back in the future. What to look for in an answer: Resilience to deal with failure. A commitment to improving abilities. Self-confidence to know that a mistake is not …

How do I find an in-house lawyer position?

Mar 16, 2022 · Get a lawyer immediately for protection of your rights and so that you are defended as well as possible — guilty or not. Advertising. 8. Wills and Trusts. Save your family from disputes and legal issues after you die. Set up your will or trust with a reputable attorney well in advance.

Could a lawyer have been alive and practicing law somewhere?

Lawyer: “And by whose death was it terminated?”. Accused, Defending His Own Case: “Did you get a good look at my face when I took your purse?”. (The defendant was found guilty and sentenced to ten years in jail.) Lawyer: “What is your date of birth?”. Witness: “July 15th.”. Lawyer: “What year?”. Witness: “Every year.”.

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What was the motto of the new American lawyers?

The new American lawyers exploited this shortfall and, after a seven-year legal war, defeated the British and created the United States, under the famous motto, "All lawyers are created equal.". England never forgot this lesson and immediately stopped its practice of sending lawyers to the colonies.

What are the courses required for law school?

As developed by Harvard, law students took a standard set of courses as follows: 1 Jurisprudence: The history of legal billing, from early Greek and Roman billing methods to modern collection techniques. 2 Torts: French law term for "you get injury, we keep 40%." Teaches students ambulance-chasing techniques. 3 Contracts: Teaches that despite an agreement between two parties (the contract), a lawsuit can still be brought. 4 Civil Procedure: Teaches the tricky arcane rules of court, which were modernized only 150 years ago in New York. 5 Criminal Law: Speaks for itself.

What is Pythagorean Theorem?

Pythagoras, a famous Greek lawyer, is revered for his Pythagorean Theorem, which proved the mathematical quandary of double billing. This new development allowed lawyers to become wealthy members of their community, as well as to enter politics, an area previously off-limits to lawyers.

When did the Dark Ages end?

The Dark Ages for lawyers ended in England in 1078. Norman lawyers discovered a loophole in Welsh law that allowed William the Conqueror to foreclose an old French loan and take most of England, Scotland, and Wales. William rewarded the lawyers for their work, and soon lawyers were again accepted in society.

Can you please name a Supreme Court case that impacts your practice of law on a daily basis?

The purpose of this question is not necessarily to test the substance of the answer but more the fact that the candidate has an answer. This is indicative of the fact that they are informed and see the larger picture. So much of what a lawyer does relies on having strong background knowledge of the law.

Can you give an example of where you have chosen to involve yourself in the broader legal community?

Lawyers that network and do the “extra-curricular” activities are generally better informed about recent developments than other attorneys. In addition, networking helps a lawyer build a reputation in the legal sector. Attorneys who have better connections with other attorneys benefit from getting referrals of business from those other attorneys.

How do you handle a disagreement with a superior over a legal matter?

Disagreements happen in the practice of law. Two attorneys can reach different opinions about an issue and both can be correct. It is even more difficult when one of the attorneys works for the other. Part of being a successful lawyer is learning how to make one’s voice heard without being overbearing.

Can you elaborate on a situation where you were unsuccessful and how you handled it?

You should get a sense of how the lawyer handles adversity because there is quite a bit of it in the legal profession. A good lawyer will learn from failure and make the necessary adjustments so it does not happen again in the future. Every lawyer will experience failure at some point.

What aspect of the daily job of being a lawyer interests you the most?

Every lawyer has strengths and weaknesses. Some attorneys do things better than others. This question will test what a lawyer believes that they are good at and what interests them. If they indicate that they dislike a critical basic area of the job, it can help you determine where they would be a good fit in your company.

Have you ever worked on a case that was hard not to take home with you? How did you handle the situation?

Depending on the type of law they practice, lawyers may have to work on cases that evoke emotions like those in family cases or criminal trials. This question allows an interviewer to gauge a candidate's ability to maintain their mental health when working on particularly difficult cases.

What do lawyers do?

This career can lead to working for state attorneys general, public defenders, district attorneys, and the courts. They can also investigate cases on a federal level, such as for the U.S Department of Justice.

What is a think tank lawyer?

Private and nonprofit policy agencies and think tanks hire lawyers to research policy-related topics, write briefs intended to educate policymakers and litigate. Think tank jobs often include nonprofit, public policy organizations that include advocacy initiatives. Typically, these are independent organizations but some have government relations or funding. Lawyers who are savvy and passionate about policy and research will enjoy this type of role, however, the annual average salary is about what a nonprofit can offer.

How much does a lawyer make in a private practice?

The average annual salary for a lawyer in private practice is $137,000.

Who is Tara Kuther?

Tara Kuther, Ph.D., is a professor at Western Connecticut State University. She specializes in professional development for undergraduate and graduate students. Lawyers work in all types of employment settings and may do some work for every type of employer out there, whether large or small.

Do lawyers have private practice?

Several lawyers have their own private practice while others work in sectors such as the government, social policy agencies, or another type of business. Learn how lawyers work in various settings and how they set the track for their legal career.

Do lawyers work for a pharmaceutical company?

Every large business employs lawyers. They might deal with human resources issues, such as hiring policies. Others do work related to be the business itself. For example, a lawyer who works at a pharmaceutical company might be involved in litigation or in determining the legal feasibility of particular actions.

Who handles the prosecution of a crime?

The prosecution is handled by lawyers employed by the governmental entity, and the defense is handled by either a publicly appointed defender or a private defense attorney whom the defendant pays. In criminal law, there are misdemeanors (small offenses) and felonies (more serious crimes).

What is civil law?

Civil law also covers legal agreements, real estate transactions, divorces, child custody, and other matters where legal paperwork is necessary to protect all parties involved. Criminal Law: This area of law relates to offenses that break the laws of a local, state, or federal governments.

What are the two legal categories?

Two Legal Categories – A Short Explanation 1 Civil Law: This area of law covers all legal issues that do not involve criminal activity or breaking the law. Generally, one party sues another because they have been “wronged” in some way and want some type of compensation for that “wrong.” Civil law also covers legal agreements, real estate transactions, divorces, child custody, and other matters where legal paperwork is necessary to protect all parties involved. 2 Criminal Law: This area of law relates to offenses that break the laws of a local, state, or federal governments. The prosecution is handled by lawyers employed by the governmental entity, and the defense is handled by either a publicly appointed defender or a private defense attorney whom the defendant pays. In criminal law, there are misdemeanors (small offenses) and felonies (more serious crimes).

What is a complex divorce?

1. A Complex or Nasty Divorce. When couples mutually agree on all of the details of a split, there is no real need for a lawyer. When, however, there are issues of property, investments, savings, support, debt, and child custody arrangements, only a fool neglects getting legal representation.

What happens if you are sued?

Law Suits. If you are being sued and the consequences of a loss may result in the loss of a good deal of money or property, you need a lawyer. Again, the other side has a lawyer, so you need to get one too. Most of these things are settled out of court, but you want an experienced negotiator on your side. 4.

Can you go to court for DUI?

A good lawyer can meet with the prosecutor and get the charges reduced, especially if this is your first offense. Never go to court on a DUI charge without a lawyer — unless you are willing to accept the maximum penalty.

Is a public defender better than a private attorney?

Defendants who have personally hired attorneys always fare better than those who do not or those who take a public defender. Remember, a public defender is on case overload, and will usually recommend a plea bargain that will be worse than what a private attorney could get you. If you qualify financially for a public defender, still try to find a friend or relative willing to pony up the money for a lawyer.

What happens if a complaint is found to be true?

If the complaint is found to be true, the disciplinary board can fine the attorney, force the attorney to attend classes or perform community service, or take away the attorney's license. The disciplinary board typically does not give the person who complained about the attorney any money.

What is disciplinary action for an attorney?

For attorneys, a disciplinary action is very serious as it can directly affect their ability to earn a living. It may be best to first try and resolve any dispute you have with the attorney on your own.

What is the disciplinary board?

In many states, a division of the courts handles these complaints. This is typically referred to as the disciplinary board. Some states rely on their state bar associations to discipline their attorneys. You can find out where to send attorney complaints by looking at your state court system's website.

What to do if you are not satisfied with your lawyer?

If you're not satisfied with your lawyer's strategy decisions or with the arguments the lawyer has been making on your behalf, you may even want to go to the law library and do some reading to educate yourself about your legal problem.

What to do if you lost money because of a lawyer?

If you lost money because of the way your lawyer handled your case, consider suing for malpractice. Know, however, that it is not an easy task. You must prove two things:

What is the agency responsible for licensing and disciplining lawyers?

Every state has an agency responsible for licensing and disciplining lawyers. In most states, it's the bar association; in others, the state supreme court. The agency is most likely to take action if your lawyer has failed to pay you money that you won in a settlement or lawsuit, made some egregious error such as failing to show up in court, didn't do legal work you paid for, committed a crime, or has a drug or alcohol abuse problem.

What to do if you can't find out what has been done?

If you can't find out what has (and has not) been done, you need to get hold of your file. You can read it in your lawyer's office or ask your lawyer to send you copies of everything -- all correspondence and everything filed with the court or recorded with a government agency.

What to do if your lawyer doesn't work?

If that doesn't work, as a last resort you may need to sue your lawyer in small claims court, asking the court for money to compensate you for what you've spent on redoing work in the file or trying to get the file.

Can you sue for legal malpractice?

If you want to sue for legal malpractice, do it as quickly as possible. A common defense raised by attorneys sued for malpractice is that the client waited too long to sue. And because this area of the law can be surprisingly complicated and confusing, there's often plenty of room for argument.

Does the state bar reimburse clients?

But all states except Maine, New Mexico, and Tennessee do have funds from which they may reimburse clients whose attorneys stole from them.

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Government

  • Lawyers can work at one of the following three levels of government: 1. Local government 2. State government 3. Federal government Depending on where the lawyer works, there will be varying roles and responsibilities. Government lawyers may be one of the following: 1. Prosecutors 2. District attorneys 3. State attorney generals 4. Public defenders Lawyers working for the govern…
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Law Firm Attorneys

  • Many lawyers pursue careers with established law firms. They’ll start as an associate to develop their legal skills by working with expert attorneys that have been practicing for years. Law firms will choose their attorneys depending on the school candidates attend and the experiences they have. After working at the firm for a number of years, an associate may be considered for partne…
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In-House Attorneys

  • In-house attorneys are those that are employed by a single client. The clients are typically large corporations requiring a go-to lawyer to be available for various in-house legal requirements. Many companies have their own legal department handling various legal situations the company faces. These in-house lawyers may be responsible for the following: 1. Addressing any of the co…
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Private Practice

  • Some lawyers may choose to start their own businessafter obtaining a few years of experience. Instead of becoming a partner at a firm, they start their own or become a solo practitioner. Private practice is where many lawyers work and those who become solo practitioners tend to have significantly greater job responsibilities. In order for a solo lawyer to survive, they must perform t…
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Public Interest Lawyers

  • Legal-aid groups, which tend to be private, nonprofit agencies, offer legal services to disadvantaged people. Lawyers found here aim to help poor people and other minorities with limited access to legal services. The cases public interest lawyers (PBLs) focus on include: 1. Illegal discrimination 2. Environmental protection 3. Child welfare 4. Domestic violence Occasio…
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Academia

  • Not all lawyers licensed to practice law will pursue a career as a lawyer. You can find some lawyers who continue their studies and pursue higher education in various topics of law. These lawyers (and also experienced lawyers seeking a break from their profession) can teach at law schools, colleges, and other educational institutions. Alternatively, lawyers who are practicing ca…
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Judicial Clerkship

  • Here’s another common place you’ll find fresh graduates from law school. Judicial clerkships provide aspiring lawyers with a 1- or 2-year experience working with a judge. Each judge can have up to 4 clerks working with them. A clerk’s core responsibilities include: 1. Legal research 2. Document drafting 3. Developing opinions 4. Attend hearings and trials 5. Prepare trial memoran…
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Private Practice

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A handful of lawyers work independently in solo practices but most practicing lawyers work as part of a larger team of lawyers. Over three-quarters of the one million-plus licensed attorneys in the nation work in private practice. Those employed in a law firm can work as partners and associates, however, these firm…
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Government

  • Lawyers are hired by local, state and the federal government for work on cases as well as analysis. Some lawyers might do legal research on topics related to laws or policies. This career can lead to working for state attorneys general, public defenders, district attorneys, and the courts. They can also investigate cases on a federal level, such as for the U.S Department of Jus…
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Social Policy Agencies

  • Private and nonprofit policy agencies and think tanks hire lawyers to research policy-related topics, write briefs intended to educate policymakers and litigate. Think tank jobs often include nonprofit, public policy organizations that include advocacy initiatives. Typically, these are independent organizations but some have government relations or funding. Lawyers who are sa…
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Business

  • Every large business employs lawyers. They might deal with human resources issues, such as hiring policies. Others do work related to be the business itself. For example, a lawyer who works at a pharmaceutical company might be involved in litigation or in determining the legal feasibility of particular actions. Working in a corporate law firm often comes with big responsibilities and …
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Take Your Pick

  • Lawyers work in all settings. With creativity, ingenuity, and hard work, you can have a legal career in any setting you work. Consider whether you see yourself working at a private practice, government entity, social policy agency or business, whether corporate or small. Weigh the options of what type of law you will be performing, the passion you have for the industry, the sca…
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