The way to becoming an attorney
may appear straightforward you need to obtain a Juris Doctor (J.D.) and pass
the Bar exam, and then begin practicing. There are so many kinds of
lawyers, deciding what type of law you'd like to practice might not be an easy
choice.
In line with your preferences
and the type of work you'd like to pursue, specific areas of law could be more
appealing to you. Knowing the obligations and roles of different types of
lawyers in the market will help you choose the field you're most enthusiastic
about.
1. Bankruptcy
Lawyer
Lawyers who practice bankruptcy
are knowledgeable about their field of expertise in the U.S. Bankruptcy Code,
and deal with insolvency issues for both corporations and individuals. The
majority of bankruptcy lawyers specialize in consumer bankruptcy and commercial
bankruptcy. In bankruptcy for consumers, lawyers represent creditors and
individuals, whereas in commercial bankruptcy, lawyers represent corporations'
creditors as well as debtors. The nature of the work of bankruptcy lawyers
of both specializations is similar, since both specializations provide
solutions to plans confirmations, financial restructurings or valuation
disagreements. Interning or clerking at an organization with a bankruptcy
practice is a good option to find out if an upcoming job in this field is right
for you.
Although not mandatory, certain
states provide bankruptcy law certifications to make lawyers more knowledgeable
in this field.
2. Business Lawyer
(Corporate Lawyer)
Business lawyers, often referred
to by the name corporate lawyer, manage legal issues for companies and ensure
that company transactions are within the remit of state, local as well as
federal law. Legal work that is commonplace includes mergers,
acquisitions, the formation or dissolution of business IP patents and
litigation over liability. Every day, a lawyer for business can do legal
studies, draft and revise legal papers, and also negotiate contracts.
Certain law schools permit students
to earn an MBA degree conjunction with having a J.D., and receive advanced
education to prepare them for a career in corporate law. After graduating
and passing the bar exam, business lawyers generally work for corporate firms,
or as counsel in-house for a sole business.
3. Constitutional
Lawyer
Constitutional lawyers handle
the interpretation and application of the U.S. Constitution, and ensure that
the interests of the government with the rights of the individual. A
variety of roles for constitutional lawyers could be challenging the
constitutionality of an act as well as representing individuals in
discrimination lawsuits and also working as an expert in constitutional law at
an institution of higher learning. Constitutional lawyers can participate
in civil rights litigation and may also argue legal matters at state supreme
courts, or even the U.S. Supreme Court--a rare chance for lawyers from other
areas.
Based on the institution
students at law school, they could be eligible to receive an official
certificate in constitutional law or pursue higher-level studies by taking a
number of courses related to it. Although it is not essential for a job in
the future, employers could consider it a proof of a firm dedication to the
field of practice.
4. Criminal
Defense Lawyer
Criminal defense lawyers
represent on behalf of people suspects of crime and ensure their rights and
basic rights are protected by law enforcement. A criminal defense lawyer
can serve as public
defenders or an attorney in private. In
either case their role is to utilize the law in favor of the person being
accused. They have to protect the most beneficial interests of their
clients within the confines by law. Criminal defense lawyers can be more frequent in court than other lawyers,
particularly when a case is going to trial.
A variety of bar associations in
the state offer special programs for criminal law, and those who are passionate
about trial advocacy can be certified in the field of criminal law as trial
lawyers.
5. Employment
and Labor Lawyer
Labor and employment lawyers
generally manage the relations between employers, unions, and
employees. They address issues related to work-related discrimination and
harassment. They also deal with wages and hour regulations as well as benefits
as well as pension and benefits security. Although the duties of
employment lawyers and labor lawyers often overlap, labor attorneys focus on
collective bargaining, whereas attorneys for employment deal with issues that
are not union-related in workplaces.
As with other areas of
expertise, many law schools provide a certificate in employment/labor law to
students who have completed a certain number of classes in the subject, but
it's not required to be employed.
6. Entertainment
Lawyer
Entertainment lawyers represent
artists, athletes as well as actors, musicians, and other media-related clients
as well as brands. They assist in protecting the intellectual property
rights of their clients. This could include anything from a musician's lyrics
to comedians' comedy routine. In addition, entertainment lawyers can
negotiate fee agreements and contracts as well as secure release of talent.
They also serve as a liaison between venues or agents or supervise membership
in trade unions as well as guilds.
There are a variety of law
schools that offer certificates and classes in entertainment law. Some even on
the LL.M. level.
7. Estate Planning
Lawyer
A lawyer who is an estate
planner is familiar with the complexities of wills, property rights, trusts,
and probate. They offer legal advice and help to ensure that client assets
pass between and within the trust or will are properly handled and ensure that
tax and legal concerns are addressed. Making the decision on how to
support different relatives is a difficult process, and estate planning lawyers
can use questionnaires to help clients assess their financial assets and
liabilities and assist them in making their decisions.
Estate planning lawyers can be
able to pursue additional certifications, such as they seek the Chartered Trust
and Estate Planner (CTEP), Accredited Estate Planner (AEP) as well as the
Certified Trust and Fiduciary Advisor (CTFA) certification.
8. Family
Lawyer
While many people consider
family lawyers as divorce
lawyers who deal with matters of division
between marital assets and child custody and alimony, the family law is a broad
area of concerns. Family-related
or domestic concerns, including guardianship
and adoption paternity, juvenile delinquency issues and child welfare all fall
under the jurisdiction of the family lawyer. The typical responsibilities
of a family lawyer could include drafting contracts and negotiations,
drafting prenuptial agreements, consulting clients about legal options, or in
the event of conflicts between families. Family lawyers are employed by smaller law firms that focus on family law, or in non-profit organizations.
Certain states also offer
certification for boards in the field of family laws or the law on child
welfare to those seeking to show the validity of their knowledge and expertise
in the field, but it's not required.
9. Immigration
Lawyer
The process of obtaining citizenship
or legal status is a daunting procedure. Immigration lawyers play a
crucial function in providing assistance for families and individuals who are
trying to navigate the required requirements to work, live or pursue studies at
a university or college in the U.S. In some cases, lawyers for immigration
assist asylum and refugee applicants. Employers and employees who
participate in work-visa programs can also rely on immigration lawyers to
assist with the process of getting legal employment status.
Some law schools offer
certification programs that permit students to focus on immigration
law. But, even those schools which do not provide an official certificate
can suggest the courses that students who are interested to
attend. Immigration lawyers are employed in various contexts, from
companies which focus on immigration laws to state agencies and non-profit organizations.
10. Intellectual
Property (IP) Lawyer
Intellectual property (IP)
lawyers safeguard and protect the rights and works of authors, inventors or
artists as well as businesses. IP law covers copyrighting, patenting,
trademarking, and protecting trade secrets in tangible products such as
inventions and intangible ones, such as trademarks, brand names or other
symbols. Lawyers who practice in this area have three primary
responsibilities that include: the first is to guide their clients in how best
to safeguard their intellectual property rights; and the third is safeguard
their intellectual property through the registration of a trademark or
copyright or patent as well as to enforce the rights of intellectual property
against the infringement.
Law schools as well as state
bars can offer specific programs or certificates for specialization in the
field.
11. Personal
Injury Lawyer
Personal injury lawyers
specialize in civil litigations, representing people who've sustained
injuries. Most of the time, injuries result from medical malpractice, car
accidents or product liability workplace accidents. Personal injury
lawyers have to prove that the party responsible, usually a corporate or
individual, is responsible and is liable for damages to their client. A
lot cases of these are settled outside of the court.
Legal professionals who handle
personal injuries follow the same education process as lawyers of all kinds who
are able to earn an J.D. and then pass the bar. Personal injury
certificates aren't as popular, but certain states, like Texas offer the
option.
12. Tax Lawyer
Tax attorneys are knowledgeable
about the specifics of tax regulations and laws they work in various
contexts. These include corporate and accounting firms, law firms,
nonprofit organizations as well as government entities. Their duties
include tax planning, interpretation of tax laws (and the implications it has
on their clients) as well as a large amount of research. Because of the
complicated tax laws, and the speed at which they change, tax professionals
must be aware of developments in tax law, court opinions, as well as IRS
rulings.
Certain tax attorneys take a master's degree in Taxation to expand their knowledge and remain up-to-date in their field of practice.
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