Responsibilities of a Lawyer in Modern Society

Check out the current TV schedule and you will see several examples of a lawyer. You will see grandstanding in the courtroom and meeting with prestigious clients in a specious and modern office space. But there is so much more to being an attorney. There are responsibilities and tasks that are often done behind the scenes to make sure that everything runs smoothly.

Oral Arguments

It is true that a lawyer may need to present his or her case inside of the courtroom. This presentation takes place in front of a judge and a jury may or may not be present. In some situations, an attorney will specialize in bringing cases to trial, garnering him or her a lot of courtroom experience. On the other hand, some attorneys work to create settlements and avoid courtroom confrontations.

Research

Research is usually required to put together a case. A lawyer may need to look back into similar cases to see how judges ruled. This can help determine how the current judge will rule. Aside from past cases, an attorney often needs to investigate his or her own case. People involved in the case need to be interviewed, and any evidence uncovered can be used during the trial.

Drafting Documents

When one person wants to sue another, paperwork is required to get things started. In a divorce, papers need to be filed with the courts. Regardless of the type of case, there are always documents that need to be handled. A lawyer understands what papers need to be filed and when they need to be turned in. People that try to handle their own cases often assume that their can fill out the papers themselves only to find that they need a professional to help them through the process.

Legal Advice for Clients

When a potential client comes in and has questions about the law, an attorney can provide an initial consultation or a case evaluation. The client explains the situation and the attorney can help him or her decide whether or not there is a case to pursue. At this point, the client can choose to hire the lawyer as the legal representation. While the consultation is free, it often brings in potential clients and allows an attorney to increase his or her business.

Negotiations

Not all cases are decided in the courtroom. Sometimes things are worked out in negotiations. Instead of clients talking to each other to reach an agreement, attorneys are often mediators. They work together and talk over the details. Each one goes back to the client and talks about the details. This process continues until an agreement is worked out.