Types of lawyers

20. Types of Lawyers

Lawyers pick up specializations and narrow them down to a niche to practice. Based on that, there are different types of lawyers practicing in the US. They would have expertise in their area and wouldn't deal with other cases.

For instance, if you approach a family lawyer with a case related to criminal law like theft, the lawyer won't be able to help you. S/he will refer or recommend you to another lawyer specializing in criminal law to assist you with your case. Here, we will walk you through different types of lawyers practicing in the US. It will be helpful to you while you have to approach them with your case.

Family Lawyers

A family attorney is a lawyer who looks into cases related to family law. Here, the lawyer can provide you with legal advice and even representation in divorce, prenuptial agreements, child adoption, child custody, estate and will creation, alimony, etc. These lawyers, with their expertise, can be mediators in cases involving disagreements.

Family lawyers can also provide you with representation during trials and help you with documentation. If you don't have the financial abilities, you can opt for Pro Bono services to find a family attorney to look into your matter.

Personal Injury Lawyers

A personal injury lawyer looks into cases where a person has undergone physical, psychological, emotional, or financial injuries. These situations can happen intentionally or out of negligence. Regardless of the reason, a personal injury lawyer will ensure that you receive the required compensation for the trauma you endured. The lawyer will calculate the settlement and engage in the settlement meetings. Here, your lawyer will analyze medical expenses, loss of wages, and damage to property.

However, before moving forward with your case, your lawyer will perform an investigation and study the matter thoroughly. It is to ensure you get the judgment or settlement you deserve righteously.

Criminal Lawyers

Criminal lawyers focus on criminal cases that fall into three categories: infractions, misdemeanors, and felonies. Here, the lawyer can offer you advice or legal representation to overcome the issue you face. Legal lawyers can work privately by associating with a law firm or individually. They can also be part of criminal courts, where the jurisdiction will employ them. These lawyers would look into cases free of cost.

In the US, criminal lawyers delve into matters related to arrest, sentences, appeals, criminal charges, post-trials, etc. You can also reach out to them before the court has filed charges against you. But you feel that an investigation is happening against you, and you need to protect yourself before you get arrested.

Employment Lawyer

An employment lawyer will have the skills to provide you with employment-related legal advice. It can be about contentious or non contentious matters. Contentious matters involve situations where an employer or employee doesn't comply with the law. And non contentious cases focus on negotiations, drafting, research, and arbitration. These lawyers also delve into matters related to HR policies.

You can reach out to an employment lawyer if you face issues ranging from workplace harassment to discrimination. Here, employees and employers can gain representation in court through an employment lawyer. Recently, there has been an increase in the demand for employment lawyers because of the rise in employment-related issues like unemployment, shortage of skilled workforce, etc.,

When you hire an employment lawyer, s/he will provide you with court representation and tribunal hearings and assist you with negotiations. Lawyers would also be up to date on developments in employment legislation. Based on their expertise, they can offer you legal advice and draft and prepare contracts for you.

Tax Lawyer

As the name suggests, a tax lawyer is someone with experience in handling tax-related issues. S/he will be well-versed in federal, state, and local tax laws. A tax lawyer can perform audits, wage garnishments, and even assist you with IRS investigations. These lawyers would have skills in mathematics, accounting, and problem-solving, and they would have a better understanding of financial and accounting principles.

A tax lawyer, therefore, can assist you in maintaining confidential records. S/he will be up to date on the latest tax legislation, which will be beneficial while handling your case. Also, when you hire a tax lawyer, s/he will communicate and negotiate for you with different tax authorities.

Immigration Lawyer

Immigration lawyers can assist you with matters related to immigration. In the US, they can include issues with the green card, visa, citizenship, and refugee situations. Another condition where you can seek help from an immigration lawyer is to gain consultation on bringing a family member from your home country to the US. Your lawyer can help you with this procedure if you face any complications.

If you have any concerns related to immigration, it is best to approach an immigration lawyer. S/he can look into your problem in detail and offer you a solution. Your lawyer can also represent you in court in the case of a trial.

General Practice Lawyer

Unlike the different categories of lawyers we have discussed, a general practice lawyer works on all types of cases. Instead of niching down, this lawyer would have knowledge of family law, criminal law, employment law, tax law, immigration law, etc.,

Reaching out to such a lawyer can help you find a solution for any legal concerns you may have. However, their expertise and knowledge in each of these fields might not be as competent as lawyers specialized in them. Therefore, most people would prefer to opt for specialized lawyers if their case is too complex. However, if your case doesn't involve a lot of complications and issues, you can try out a general practice lawyer.

Apart from these types of lawyers, there are others, like contract lawyers, civil litigation lawyers, real estate lawyers, business lawyers, etc. These lawyers will have expertise and experience in their field, and you can hire a lawyer based on your case. If you don't have financial backing, you can opt for financial assistance like legal aid, Pro Bono, etc.,