Different types of lawyers specialize in specific areas since the law is incredibly complex and diverse. The different law careers do have general basics in common, but some lawyers perform certain job duties that other lawyers may never be exposed to. When a person is seeking a lawyer for representation, it's important to choose an attorney who has the experience necessary to best resolve the issue. For example, a divorce attorney will not be the best choice for an immigrant seeking counsel on citizenship. Whether you aspire to be a lawyer or need to hire one, here are the common areas of legal expertise:
Criminal Law: A criminal lawyer is perhaps the type of lawyer people think of the most, due to the popularity of courtroom dramas. Criminal attorneys represent people who have violated certain laws and must face judgment in court.
Family Law: Attorneys who deal with family law will represent clients in divorces, pre-nuptial agreements, adoptions, child custody disputes and even estate planning.
Bankruptcy Law: Because navigating the ins and outs of bankruptcy takes such specialized knowledge, bankruptcy attorneys specialize in either personal or corporate bankruptcy cases. They work with the client to present accurate information and give advice on the best course of action.
Civil Law: These lawyers represent clients who may have civil disputes, such as broken contracts, lost money or negligence damages. Anything that is not a criminal case may be categorized under the label of civil law.
Corporate Law: This type of law deals with the business world, from mergers and acquisitions to business contracts, employment issues, bankruptcy, employee disputes and even international business regulations.
Real Estate Law: Land development legal issues fall under the domain of a real estate attorney. Whether it's for title search companies, mortgage companies or real estate companies, a real estate lawyer can work on a range of land deals and property issues.
Immigration Law: Getting legal residency in the United States is a time-consuming and complicated process, so many people work with immigration lawyers to assist in immigration, asylum and naturalization issues. Citizenship and residency issues can also be a part of an immigration lawyer's duties.
 | How long does it take to become a lawyer? If you are considering this career, keep in mind that it takes a serious time commitment. |
 | The requirements to become a lawyer are fairly strict and vary from state to state, but a few of these requirements are shared no matter where you choose to practice. |
What does a paralegal do? While it is clear that a paralegal assists lawyers with cases, their day-to-day duties may vary depending on the law office. |
Understanding the requirements to become a paralegal can help you decide if you want to try out this career, which calls for strong research skills and adaptability. |
Many law students and law school graduates take jobs as "law clerks." The term actually has three different meanings, depending on where the law clerk is working. |
