what type of lawyer do i need?

by Dr. Santino Hauck DDS 6 min read

Types of Lawyers

  • Personal Injury Lawyer. If you’ve suffered injuries in an accident—for example, a car accident—the type of lawyer you’ll want to see is a personal injury lawyer.
  • Estate Planning Lawyer. ...
  • Bankruptcy Lawyer. ...
  • Intellectual Property Lawyer. ...
  • Employment Lawyer. ...
  • Corporate Lawyer. ...
  • Immigration Lawyer. ...
  • Criminal Lawyer. ...
  • Medical Malpractice Lawyer. ...
  • Tax Lawyer. ...

More items...

Full Answer

What kind of lawyer do you really want to be?

Oct 30, 2020 · Lawyers can work in a law firm with other lawyers, with a partner, or practice by themselves in a solo practice. In most cases, a lawyer will be chosen based on the type of case, or practice area, and the location of the case. Lawyers can provide a wide range of services to their clients. Some lawyers handle many different types of cases.

What do you need to be a good lawyer?

10 hours ago · Here are the 4 main types of lawyers or attorneys you may need in your lifetime. 1. Personal Injury. An injury attorney is an individual you would turn to after a car accident, workplace accident, or other situation in which you came to harm and need to prove someone else is liable for it.

What personality do you need to be a lawyer?

Sep 10, 2021 · To become a business lawyer, you’ll need a J.D. But many law students also acquire a business law certificate. After that, all you need to do is pass the bar exam, and you can start working for a company. 2. Bankruptcy lawyer. For certain types of law careers, you need to be an expert on very specific laws.

What should do if I want to be a lawyer?

Aug 27, 2021 · 5. General practice lawyer. National average salary: $70,548 per year. Primary duties: A general practice lawyer does not have a particular area of expertise and instead consults with, and defends clients on a variety of legal issues and proceedings. This type of lawyer can have specialized interests but can handle other projects as well. 6.

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May 02, 2022 · Criminal Lawyer. If you or a loved one has been charged with a crime, a criminal lawyer is the type of lawyer you should turn to. A criminal lawyer will be knowledgeable in areas related to criminal law, including issues related to bail, arraignment, arrest, pleas and any issues relating to the criminal trial itself.

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How do I decide what kind of lawyer to get?

Here are a few questions to help you determine what type of law would be a good fit for you:
  1. How Much Do You Like to Argue?
  2. How Motivated You Are by Money?
  3. How Much Control Do You Need Over Your Work Life?
  4. How Much Interaction Do You Need With Other People?
  5. What Do You Like to Do?
Dec 11, 2019

What are the 4 types of lawyers?

  • Bankruptcy Lawyer. Bankruptcy lawyers are experts in the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, and handle insolvency issues for individuals or corporations. ...
  • Business Lawyer (Corporate Lawyer) ...
  • Constitutional Lawyer. ...
  • Criminal Defense Lawyer. ...
  • Employment and Labor Lawyer. ...
  • 6. Entertainment Lawyer. ...
  • Estate Planning Lawyer. ...
  • Family Lawyer.

What lawyers are most needed?

The Top 10 Lawyer Types You're Most Likely to Need
  1. Civil Litigation Lawyer (a.k.a. Trial Attorney) ...
  2. Criminal Defense Lawyer. ...
  3. Defamation Lawyer (a.k.a. Libel and Slander Attorney) ...
  4. Business Lawyer (litigation or transactional) ...
  5. Family Lawyer (a.k.a. Domestic Relations Attorney; a.k.a. Divorce Lawyer) ...
  6. Traffic Lawyer.
•
Dec 31, 2015

What type of lawyer is most common?

The 5 Most Common Types of Lawyers and When You'll Need Them
  1. Personal Injury Lawyer. A personal injury lawyer helps individuals who have had injuries in accidents and need financial compensation. ...
  2. Family Lawyer. ...
  3. Immigration Lawyer. ...
  4. Criminal Defense Lawyer. ...
  5. Tax Lawyer.
Apr 17, 2019

What is the highest paid lawyer?

Highest paid lawyers: salary by practice area
  • Tax attorney (tax law): $122,000.
  • Corporate lawyer: $115,000.
  • Employment lawyer: $87,000.
  • Real Estate attorney: $86,000.
  • Divorce attorney: $84,000.
  • Immigration attorney: $84,000.
  • Estate attorney: $83,000.
  • Public Defender: $63,000.
•
Apr 24, 2022

What is the difference between lawyer and attorney?

Attorney vs Lawyer: Comparing Definitions

Lawyers are people who have gone to law school and often may have taken and passed the bar exam. Attorney has French origins, and stems from a word meaning to act on the behalf of others. The term attorney is an abbreviated form of the formal title 'attorney at law'.

What's the easiest lawyer to become?

Estate Planning. Although being a legal clerk is the easiest career path, it is only suited for beginners. Estate planning wins the most stress-free legal practice area when practicing law for lawyers. Many lawyers avoid estate planning as it is a field of law associated with death.Jan 30, 2022

What's the easiest law to practice?

What is the least stressful type of law to practice?
  • Real estate law.
  • Intellectual property law.
  • High Street family law.
  • Government lawyers.
  • Working In-House.
Jul 9, 2021

What are the 7 types of laws?

CLASSIFICATIONS OF LAW
  • Public and Private Law.
  • Civil Law and Criminal Law.
  • Substantive and Procedural Law.
  • Municipal and International Law.
  • Written and Unwritten Law.
  • Common Law and Equity.
Mar 11, 2016

Is law school difficult?

In summary, law school is hard. Harder than regular college or universities, in terms of stress, workload, and required commitment. But about 40,000 people graduate from law schools every year–so it is clearly attainable.

Who is the best lawyer in world?

Alan Morton Dershowitz is an American attorney, political commentator, and jurist. He has spent the past fifty years practicing the law and is well recognized for handling a number of high-profile legal cases.

How many years do you have to study to be a lawyer?

7 years
Becoming a lawyer usually takes 7 years of full-time study after high school—4 years of undergraduate study, followed by 3 years of law school. Most states and jurisdictions require lawyers to complete a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA).

Are attorneys and lawyers the same thing?

Although both attorneys and lawyers obtain law degrees, they don’t do the same job. An attorney actually practices law by representing other indivi...

What are the two main types of lawyers?

When talking about two main types of lawyers, we’re actually referring to criminal law professionals. These are prosecutors and defense attorneys....

What is the highest-paid type of lawyer?

In our article, we covered how much lawyers working in different fields earn. Those with the highest salary are medical lawyers, and they earn over...

What is the best career in law?

Choosing the best type of lawyer career depends on multiple factors, including your interests and ambitions. Our article delves deeper into differe...

Is law a good career?

This is a good career path for all those who love the law. It offers good salaries, benefits, and different working environments, depending on whic...

What is business lawyer?

Business Lawyer (litigation or transactional) Many business owners assume they need a “business lawyer,” whatever the nature of the legal problem they’re experiencing. In fact, “business law” is too broad a category to be meaningful.

What do real estate lawyers do?

Real estate lawyers deal with rights concerning land, water, and structures. Perhaps you need to determine whether a lien has been asserted against your property, or you need to carve out an easement. Maybe you need to divide one lot into two or more lots, or change the zoning classification, or move a boundary line.

What is considered criminal in court?

Courtroom proceedings are considered criminal in nature (as opposed to civil) when the state (through prosecuting attorneys) charges you with the commission of a crime. If you’ve been arrested, read your Miranda rights, and taken into custody by the police, you need a criminal defense lawyer.

What is a defamation lawyer?

Defamation lawyers are a subset of civil litigation lawyers. You want a defamation attorney if you need to take someone to court for defaming your character through libel and/or slander, or if you’ve been accused of causing harm to the reputation of another individual or business by making false and defamatory statements of your own.

What is business litigation?

Business litigation (often referred to as commercial litigation) is a major subset of civil litigation (see above). Businesses sue each other all the time, for any number of reasons.

What is transactional lawyer?

The transactional lawyer will incorporate your startup, help secure funding, draft your employment and non-disclosure agreements, issue stock, spin off subsidiaries, and countless other tasks associated with operating your business. Unlike the business litigation attorney, the transactional lawyer does not go to court.

What do you want from your ex wife?

You want a divorce. You want custody of your kids. Your ex-wife wants an increase in her spousal support and you’d rather not give it to her. You’re getting married and you want to ensure you won’t lose half of everything you own if you ever get a divorce. If your legal needs involve family relationships and obligations, you need a family lawyer.

What is a lawyer?

Lawyers are employed in law firms or private practices and usually advise clients about their legal issues and how to move forward. Attorneys consult with clients like lawyers do, but are much more likely to go beyond the initial consultation and represent the client in courtroom proceedings.

What is the primary job of a general practice lawyer?

Primary duties: A general practice lawyer does not have a particular area of expertise and instead consults with, and defends clients on a variety of legal issues and proceedings. This type of lawyer can have specialized interests but can handle other projects as well.

What is a paralegal?

A lawyer is someone within the legal system that can assist in and provide advice to clients on legal proceedings and legal issues. Paralegals act as assistants to lawyers or attorneys and serve as entry-level opportunities to learn more about the legal field.

What is a counsel lawyer?

Counsels are lawyers who are employed by a company or organization. Not being employed at a law firm, counsels act solely on behalf of that company or organization. These three lawyer titles within the legal field present unique work opportunities and distinct salary differences to those employed in them.

What is the job of a contract lawyer?

Primary duties: A contracts lawyer helps individual clients or businesses with problems relating to contracts. They provide advice from a legal standpoint on whether or not to agree to and sign a contract, or can help a client figure out how to combat a contract that they have already signed.

What is the job of a bankruptcy paralegal?

Primary duties: Bankruptcy paralegals assist bankruptcy lawyers in providing clients with advice on their financial situation, if they are eligible to file for bankruptcy, what type of bankruptcy would be the most helpful for them, and provide information on how to file for bankruptcy.

What is an associate attorney?

Primary duties: An associate attorney is an entry-level role, usually employed at law firms. They assist in selecting juries, represent clients in court, help clients negotiate contracts or settle corporate disputes. Associate Attorneys can be employed in different types of law, including corporate, real estate, family, and copyright cases.

What can a corporate lawyer do for you?

A corporate lawyer will be able to help you with issues related to the formation of your corporation, general corporate governance issues and corporate compliance issues.

What is an employment lawyer?

Employment Lawyer. Whether you’re a company that’s having a problem with an employee, or an individual who’s having problems with the company you work for, an employment lawyer can generally provide advice about legal issues which arise from an employment contract or within an employment relationship.

What is an estate planning lawyer?

The estate planning lawyer specializes in wills and trusts, and can help you to draw up a will to pass on your assets. Among other estate planning legal services, this type of lawyer can help you set up a trust which will help take care of your children’s financial needs.

What is an IP lawyer?

Also known as an IP attorney, an intellectual property lawyer can advise you with regard to issues relating to intellectual property, such as copyrights, trademarks, patents, industrial design and trade secrets.

What is a worker's compensation lawyer?

If you’ve been injured while on the job, or have had to face the death of a loved one as a result of a workplace accident or occupational disease, a lawyer who specializes in workers compensation law can help you navigate the issues you face, such as the extent of the employer’s fault and the amount of benefits to which you are entitled.

What is a disability attorney?

The Social Security Disability system can be a particularly complex system in which to navigate. An attorney who specializes in Social Security Disability issues can help you with any step in the Social Security Disability process, including assisting you with eligibility issues, launching an appeal of a decision to deny you benefits and dealing with the reduction or termination of your benefits.

Do doctors make mistakes?

Doctors do occasionally make mistakes, and if you’re facing the consequences of a medical mistake such as a medical misdiagnosis or inaccurate treatment, a lawyer who specializes in medical malpractice issues can be particular helpful.

What do lawyers do?

Different types of lawyers specialize in different areas of law. Some lawyers mostly do the work outside of the courtroom, such as drafting contracts and wills, preparing documents to comply with a process, negotiating deals, and advising clients on a legal problem. There are also lawyers who present cases in court or litigations ...

What is a business lawyer?

Also known as corporate lawyers, business lawyers are legal eagles who cover a more full range of expertise in building, managing, maintaining, transferring and dissolving a business. Lawyers in this area of practice deal with the formation of the company, employment contracts, tax compliance, acquisitions, and mergers.

What is an intellectual property lawyer?

Any original creative, scientific, or technical invention which may benefit the public has to be protected from copycats and duplicates. If you've created an art design, a unique product, a novel, a song or a computer program, you can consult with an intellectual property lawyer for securing copyright, patents, trademarks, and licensing agreements.

What is a family lawyer?

Family Lawyers. These are lawyers who handle all kinds of domestic cases, such as divorce, legal separation, child custody, adoption, paternity, alimony, prenuptial or postnuptial agreements, and emancipation. But family attorneys may also handle reproductive rights cases, and their work may intersect with other areas of the law.

What is a personal injury lawyer?

This lawyer is an expert in tort law, which deals with civil legal liabilities and damages.

What is a real estate lawyer?

Real estate lawyers provide legal guidance for individuals or companies seeking to buy or sell a property. They work with their clients and the real estate agents to draft documents and ensure that the paperwork is legally binding. They may also negotiate for the buyer or seller, or represent a property owner during a foreclosure dispute.

Is a civil litigation lawyer a general lawyer?

Technically, all areas of law already mentioned on this list may also be considered civil litigation cases. This is why a civil litigation lawyer is regarded as a general lawyer. However, their primary work comprises handling cases involving a breach of contract. While this may seem simple compared to other areas of law, contract disputes can be a tedious process. So, it will pay to hire an excellent civil litigation attorney who can easily spot the finer details of the case.

What is the job of an immigration lawyer?

Immigration lawyers can help advise on visa applications, green cards, citizenship, and naturalization issues. Additionally, they can also help with employment for non-citizen and deportation.

What is an estate planning attorney?

Another of the most common types of lawyer specialties, an estate planning attorney advises and helps clients to prepare wills, trusts, and asset distributions . These lawyers work to draft living trusts while also helping plan for the protection of your assets and savings after death. They can also help you prepare the power of attorney and health care instructions in the event that you become incapacitated and unable to speak for yourself.

What are the different types of bankruptcy?

At a glance, the main differences between bankruptcy types include: 1 Chapter 7: this type of bankruptcy doesn’t include a repayment plan. However, you will be required to sell or liquidate nonexempt assents in order to pay back your creditors. 2 Chapter 11: this type of bankruptcy is used most often by large businesses and it is designed to help them stay open while repaying their debts. 3 Chapter 13: this type of bankruptcy removes debts by allowing you to create a repayment plan that spans three to five years. This allows you to gradually pay off your debt without liquidating any assets.

What is personal injury law?

As one of the most common types of lawyer specialties, personal injury lawyers handle everything from car accidents to slip andamp; fall injuries, product liabilities, and medical malpractice suits. If you were injured due to an accident or another person’s negligence, hiring a personal injury lawyer is one of the best ways to pursue the legal justice that you deserve.

What is IP law?

Also known as IP lawyers, this type of specialty deals with matters concerning trademarks, copyrights, and patents. While filing for a patent or copyright can be done on your own, it can be a confusing process and it requires meticulous submission of paperwork. If you’re not well-versed in how intellectual property law functions, you could risk getting your submission denied. To prevent this, it’s best to work with a professional who can handle all of the paperwork, as well as advising you throughout the process.

What is criminal defense?

Criminal defense lawyers are lawyers that focus on defending those accused of a crime. Out of all the types of lawyer specialties, this is the one you’ll want to contact if you’re facing charges of drunk driving, theft, assault, or any other type of criminal offense. They are the most familiar with criminal law and will be able to advise you on every facet of the criminal justice process. This can include the rules pertaining to arrest, bail, arraignment, and plea submission. For instance, if you’re facing a petty theft charge, a criminal defense attorney will be able to walk you through the process and defend you throughout your trial. If you’re found or plead guilty, a criminal defense attorney may even be able to lessen the punishment by working with the prosecutor to submit a plea bargain.

What does Chapter 7 bankruptcy mean?

They can explain to you exactly what bankruptcy chapter 7 means and whether it is a good fit for you. Or they can give you the details on bankruptcy for credit cards and medical bills, helping you see all of your options before making any decisions. If you are looking for an attorney, it helps to do a lot of research.

What is a criminal lawyer?

Criminal lawyers are attorneys who defend individuals and organizations against government charges in federal and state courts. Criminal lawyers understand the rules around arrest, arraignment, bail, pleas, proof, and related issues. Some of the most common crimes requiring criminal lawyers include homicide, sexual battery and assault.

What are the types of cases that employment lawyers handle?

Some of the most common types of cases handled by employment lawyers are contracts, wrongful termination, workplace harassment, retaliation, and workplace discrimination.

What is a civil litigator?

The general term “civil litigator” refers to an attorney who represents clients in civil (not criminal) court, either as plaintiff or defendant. The most common kinds of civil litigation involve contract ...

What does a real estate attorney do?

Real estate attorneys handle purchase agreements, mortgages, title documents, and transfer documents. They represent individual buyers and sellers, developers, landlords, and tenants. Simply put, the most common scenario to use a real estate attorney is when you buy or sell real estate. Cloud-based real estate law software assists attorneys by facilitating collaborative document management and project tracking in a seamless and secure environment.

Do personal injury lawyers work on a contingent fee basis?

If you’ve been injured due to the negligence of another person or company, you will want to engage a personal injury lawyer. Even though personal injury attorneys usually work on a contingent fee basis (i.e., no monthly bills to prepare and send), you will find that many are using personal injury case management software to help them better manage their cases, control costs, and increase overall returns. The most common personal injury claims are from car accidents and slip and fall accidents.

What is medical malpractice?

Medical Malpractice. If you’ve been hurt by a medical professional, a personal injury lawyer specializing in medical malpractice can help you seek compensation for the harm done. The most common medical malpractice cases include misdiagnosis, inaccurate treatment, and medical negligence.

What are the types of employment law cases?

Some of the most common types of cases handled by employment lawyers are contracts, wrongful termination, workplace harassment, retaliation, and workplace discrimination.

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