Most attorneys choose to specialize in one or two specific areas to better serve their clients. The scope of their practices can vary greatly from representing accused felons to helping a family file for bankruptcy.
There are several different types of attorneys,
and each specialization has its unique challenges. If you're looking for legal representation or are considering going into the profession yourself, you should familiarize yourself with the main areas of practice.
1. Personal Injury
If you're hurt in an accident due to the negligence of another person, you may be entitled to compensation for any medical bills, lost wages, or pain and suffering that has been directly caused by it. Slip and fall accidents are some of the more common claims; as are dog bites, back injuries, and motor vehicle collisions. Some attorneys who work in this field specialize in very specific areas such as commercial vehicle accidents. If you're seeking legal representation, it may be helpful to seek someone with a specialty.
2. Bankruptcy
Attorneys who deal with bankruptcies spend most of their time behind desks, filing paperwork and organizing documents. There is little trial work involved and many of their day-to-day cases are fairly straightforward. Many people believe that they can't afford a bankruptcy lawyer due to their financial situations, but a skilled professional can quickly and successfully file a bankruptcy claim, meaning that their costs are very reasonable. While you don't need a lawyer to file, they can save you money and minimize potential filing errors.
3. International/Immigration
What happens if you get into trouble with the law overseas? Or what if your visa is revoked? International and immigration attorneys handle cases that deal with citizens living or trying to move to different countries. The laws can be extremely complex and the process is time consuming, which is why these lawyers generally cost much more to hire. Each case can also vary greatly and requires an intense amount of research as regulations can vary between different locations.
4. Corporate
Few individuals will ever require the services of a corporate lawyer. Large companies hire a whole team or employ a firm to handle their daily affairs, which can include mundane tasks such as reviewing employee contracts to complex lawsuits against another business entity. Like international law specialists, corporate lawyers must master several skill areas such as accounting, taxes, contracts, licensing, and many more depending on the type of business they are serving.
5. Medical Malpractice
Although sometimes medical malpractice attorneys are lumped in with personal injury specialists, the field is complex enough to be given its own category. Unlike personal injury claims, negligence is much more complicated to prove within malpractice cases. Health care professionals are fallible and complications commonplace, so a lawyer must carefully construct his evidence and arguments.
6. Felony
A felony lawyer will spend much of their practice both in the office and at trial. There are many different types of crimes that are considered felonies including breaking and entering, sexual or violent assault, homicide, and some forms of theft. These lawyers work under highly stressful conditions and can have demanding clients. They must have strong negotiation skills in order to best represent their clients and plea bargain.
