Law and the Lawyer Profession
Our country’s legal systems govern much of our day-to-day lives. In its most simple definition, laws are rules and guidelines upheld by the people who came to an agreement for conduct. There is law to protect our basic rights and laws to protect our property. There are laws that govern our conduct in regards to business, financial, and social practices. There are even laws to maintain the structure of our own established legal system. There are many different types of law, therefore there is a need many different types of lawyers.
When most people think of lawyer,
they think of a litigation lawyer, someone who represents another in court when they have committed a crime. A crime is not necessarily assault or murder, like that which is depicted in many TV dramas. A crime is when a person breaks any law. In our country, everyone is innocent until proven guilty. Everyone has a right to be appointed legal representation. Everyone is granted the opportunity to a trial. However, practicing law is so much more than representing and individual in court.
There are many different types of lawyers who practice in the various fields of law. Law is a profession that requires advanced education and often a specialized track of focus. Because law is such a vast subject, a lawyer must have knowledge of both law in a general sense and the specifics of their desired field of work. Here are a few examples of types of law.
Contract Law
Contracts are a part of almost every social and business practice today. We sign contracts for all sorts of things. A contract is a mutual obligation between two parties. When a contract is signed it can be used in court of the written agreement is not upheld by either party. Think about situations where “fine print” is a discussion. If you do not thoroughly agree to a contract, it’s best not to sign it. A lawyer is knowledgeable about drafting contracts, interpreting contracts, and representing individuals in court in regards to upholding contracts.
Property Law
Property law protects a persons property. Real estate law falls under this category because it protects the rights of owners of homes or businesses. It also protects personal property. There are also patent laws and copyright laws that protect intellectual property, things that you’ve either invented or written. There are many specialized lawyers that take care of a variety of different property law subjects
Contitutional Law
This is the kind of law that governs society, the important rules that help uphold society. It defines a cultural norm. It expresses both our basic rights and the details of federal and state rights. It’s actually a series of legal documents that define how we govern our country. This is a very important branch of law because a lawyer needs to understand it in great detail in order to best represent a person in court.
