There are 1,327,010 active lawyers in the US. While all lawyers go to law school, not all lawyers studying law practice the same type of law.
Lawyers are needed to handle a wide array of legal matters. The field of lawyers greatly depends on their interests and skills. While some are suited for courtroom conflicts, others work best handling business matters for clients.
If you’re wondering what kind of lawyer should I be? The answer might lie in your interest areas. With a wide array of legal choices, there’s a field of law for every interest.
Read on to learn more about the many different types of lawyers and what they do for their clients.
Corporate Lawyer
After obtaining a business degree, some will become lawyers to work in the business and corporate world. A corporate lawyer could work specifically for one company handling their legal affairs.
A corporate lawyer could also work for a law firm and handle business matters for many corporate clients.
The business lawyer is responsible for ensuring that the business abides by all local, state, and federal laws as they go about their business. They might advise on investing in the business or help with mergers or acquisitions.
A corporate lawyer might also be responsible for researching legal matters, writing and negotiating contracts, and revising other legal documents on behalf of the business they’re representing.
Bankruptcy Lawyer
Bankruptcy lawyers help those navigate the bankruptcy process. The lawyer must be an expert in US bankruptcy law, which is frequently evolving.
The bankruptcy specialist must help clients, either individuals or for a business, solve issues they have with handling insolvency.
When a lawyer specializes in consumer bankruptcy, their role will be to work with either individuals or creditors through the bankruptcy. If the lawyer works in commercial bankruptcy, they might work directly with a business or creditors seeking money.
Since there are many types of bankruptcy filings, the lawyer can help decide which option is best for the client. They can also:
- Navigate solutions for financial restructurings
- Plan confirmations
- Negotiate valuation disputes
Having a solid financial background can help in this area of law.
Criminal Defense Lawyer
A criminal defense lawyer is probably the most well-known you see on television or in movies. This type of lawyer helps to defend an accused defendant.
A criminal defense lawyer represents a client accused of a crime and helps navigate the trial process. They ensure the fundamental rights of the accused are protected.
This type of attorney must know the law connected to human rights. They will investigate your case and devise an angle to defend the accused in court.
Since often someone accused of a crime must appear in court multiple times and for trial, this type of lawyer will more commonly occur in court. They will also work to negotiate on behalf of their client with the prosecutor.
Life Sciences Lawyer
A life sciences lawyer is a rare breed amongst other types of lawyers. However, the demand for life sciences lawyers is great.
This field of law is responsible for helping clients research and seeking approval for products like pharmaceuticals, biotechnology products, and medical devices.
The field of life sciences includes:
- Scientific discovery
- Policy judgment
- Legal issues that involve the development, production, and distribution of related products
For example, a life sciences lawyer might help a pharmaceutical research group get new drug approval through the Food and Drug Administration. So many regulatory standards must be adhered to, and this type of lawyer is involved with guiding that process.
Entertainment Lawyer
An entertainment lawyer will represent a client’s interest differently from a criminal defense attorney. This type of attorney will work with:
- Sports figures
- Musicians
- Artists
- Actors
- Media-related clients
- Brands
Each of these types of clients has intellectual property that needs protecting. The entertainment attorney might work to negotiate contracts or work conditions for their clients.
They help establish a fee schedule for the client and work as a liaison between the client and places where they might perform.
Estate Planning Lawyer
An estate planning attorney helps organize the estate of their client. They might help clients create a will and an estate to protect their heirs and assets.
An estate lawyer must make clients comfortable because they will share personal information about assets and family members.
In addition to creating wills, the estate planning attorney must know about property rights, probate, and trust laws.
Personal Injury Lawyer
A personal injury lawyer represents a client who has experienced an injury because of someone else. This might include:
- Car accident victims
- Truck accident victims
- Bike or motorcycle accident victims
- Workplace accidents
- Product liability
- Medical malpractice
The lawyer will work to seek compensation to cover expenses and get pain and suffering compensation for the victim.
This type of lawyer will negotiate with insurance companies to get the best deal for their client.
Family Lawyer
A family lawyer will work with clients on everything related to the family. They might handle a divorce, alimony, or custody agreement.
The family lawyer might also handle things like:
- Adoption
- Guardianship
- Paternity
- Juvenile delinquency matters
- Child welfare cases
Immigration Lawyer
An immigration lawyer works with clients trying to gain or retain the right to stay legally in the US. The lawyer might work to assist refugees and asylum seekers coming into the US.
Some businesses will seek the help of an immigration lawyer to help navigate the work-visa programs for potential non-native workers.
What Kind of Lawyer Should I Be?
If you’re wondering what kind of lawyer should I be, you now have several choices. The types of law vary greatly and require different types of skills depending on the law being practiced.
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