28 US lawyers : There are numerous distinct areas within the legal profession. A wide range of professions, from academics to the medical field, are focused on law. The majority of people naturally associate law with attorneys.
The most recent data indicates that there were 1.33 million attorneys in the United States alone. There are many different kinds of lawyers working in various areas of the legal industry among this enormous pool of legal intellects. Anyone looking to enter the legal profession will find a helpful starting point in the article that follows, which discusses twelve various legal professions.
Although these phrases are sometimes used synonymously, lawyers and attorneys are not the same thing. Lawyers and attorneys do not perform the same tasks, despite having the same legal degree. To put it another way, obtaining the so-called Juris Doctor degree a professional degree that allows one to practice law upon graduation—is one thing; passing the bar exam is quite another. Therefore, it’s crucial to clarify the distinction between the two terms before looking at the most fascinating categories of lawyers and attorneys. A lawyer isn’t always an attorney, but a lawyer is still a lawyer.
For example, a lawyer who practices law in court is called an attorney. An attorney is a person who acts on behalf of others; the word originates in the French language.
In contrast to attorneys, lawyers do not always start practicing law in court after completing their legal education and passing the bar exam. They make various professional decisions and practice law outside of the courtroom, frequently serving as consultants and advisors.
Although there are many job prospects for lawyers, choosing the kind of legal practice you want to pursue after law school can be challenging. You can select from a wide range of job options according to your goals, aspirations, and—perhaps most importantly—your hobbies.
For instance, some graduates look for work in organizations that allow them to practice family law because they perceive themselves as future authorities on adoption and children’s rights. Others are more interested in the lucrative legal professions, such as those in tax and corporate law that provide in-house counsel to large corporations.
We have whittled down our list of 28 professions to help you make decisions about your future, despite the fact that there are a plethora of legal specialties to learn about and practice. The most frequent legal issues that US citizens deal with are the foundation for our list.
28 Various Categories of Attorneys
A list of common law professions is provided below. As one might expect, attorneys are capable of handling a broad variety of legal matters, regardless of whether they are employed by the state, in a law company, or alone.
These can include debtors being sued by landlords and creditors, divorcing parents arguing over child custody, arraignments and bail proceedings, workers’ compensation claims, immigration legislation and green card applications, and a host of other issues.
Attorney for Business
Corporate and business attorneys make ensuring that all activities are carried out within the bounds of applicable local, state, and federal laws. A business lawyer works on cases involving liability, intellectual property, mergers, and the revision of various legal documents.
You’ll require a J.D. to practice as a business lawyer. However, a lot of law students additionally earn a certificate in business law. After that, all you have to do to begin working for a corporation is pass the bar test.
Attorney for Bankruptcy
You must be an authority in a narrow range of laws in order to pursue some types of legal careers. You will need to be an expert on the US Bankruptcy Code in order to practice bankruptcy law. There are two kinds of bankruptcy attorneys: those who specialize in consumer bankruptcy and those who are well-versed in business bankruptcy.
Tax Attorney
Experts in the US tax system are tax lawyers. They facilitate compliance with local, state, and federal tax laws by assisting individuals and businesses in understanding complex tax rules and regulations.
Tax attorneys need to stay current on all IRS rules and changes to the tax code because the US tax system is intricate and dynamic.
Defense Attorney
Prosecutors and attorneys for criminal defense are the two primary categories of criminal lawyers. Criminal defense attorneys represent those who are charged with a crime. Stated differently, these criminal defense attorneys defend the accused’s rights.
Defense attorneys have the option of practicing as private or public defenders. Whichever option you select, criminal defense attorneys typically appear in court more frequently than some of their peers. There are other subcategories within criminal law, which allows you to practice as a drug crime, violent crime, or homicide lawyer.
Attorney for Constitutions
A constitutional lawyer is an authority on the US Constitution, as the term suggests. Constitutional attorneys make ensuring that the interests of their clients and those of governmental organizations are fairly balanced. Experts in the interpretation of the United States Constitution come in various varieties. For instance, some lawyers specialize in constitutional law, and part of their work is determining whether particular laws are constitutional. A few of them may be employed by federal government agencies or institutions as constitutional attorneys. Lawyers who specialize in constitutional law must be able to comprehend every interpretation that could be made of the nation’s founding document. This is the ideal legal career for you if you’re meticulous and willing to think creatively.
Lawyer for Families
Family law attorneys are knowledgeable about all laws pertaining to family law and domestic relations. Most commonly, divorce comes to mind when someone thinks of family lawyers. However, there are a plethora of alternative legal professionals who handle matters ranging from domestic abuse and child delinquency to surrogacy and adoption.
Certain states provide a range of training choices for family law practitioners, enabling them to obtain certifications in distinct areas of the field.
Employment Attorney
The areas of expertise for labor and employment lawyers are issues pertaining to the interactions between unions, employers, and employees. They offer legal counsel on a variety of employment-related matters, including pay, working hours, workplace discrimination, safety, and other matters. While all lawyers are knowledgeable about labor regulations, labor lawyers focus specifically on this area and draft and analyze corporate policies.
Many law schools offer courses that are solely focused on labor laws if you wish to earn a certificate in this field.
Lawyer for Estate Planning
Lawyers specializing in estate planning handle property rights, trusts, and wills. Their legal counsel guarantees that all issues pertaining to the transfer of assets are appropriately handled for their clients. You can also draft questionnaires as an estate planning attorney to assist clients in assessing their holdings. This facilitates the will-drafting process.
The lawyers that pick this practice area are specialists in the nuances of estate planning, from drafting wills to making sure that their clients’ final desires are carried out.
Immigration Attorney
Attorneys specializing in immigration represent individuals as well as families seeking US citizenship. They offer guidance on living and working lawfully in the United States. Asylum seekers and political refugees are also served by immigration attorneys. Additionally, a lot of companies and workers turn to immigration attorneys for assistance in obtaining work permits. Even though it’s not one of the highest paying legal specialties, assisting someone in relocating to the US can be a rewarding job.
You can work in a variety of settings as an immigration lawyer. As an illustration, certain businesses offer specialist immigration services. You can also work for government and charity organizations.
Attorney for Personal Injury
To address that basic issue, “What are the different types of lawyers?” we still need to address a few other important professions. To begin with, the main focus of personal injury attorneys is civil litigation and the representation of clients who were injured at work or as a result of subpar medical care.
As a personal injury attorney, your duties will include gathering information, recording injuries, figuring out costs, and speaking with witnesses.
Attorney for Intellectual Property
Lawyers that specialize in intellectual property, or IP, assist clients that need to safeguard their ideas, innovations, or patents. They assist companies and individuals (artists and innovators) in resolving conflicts with distribution, copyright, trademarks, and other issues. IP attorneys also assist clients with understanding trademark laws and obtaining licenses. They also offer guidance on new laws and policies pertaining to patent protection.
Entertainment Attorney
Without including entertainment lawyers, the list of many lawyer specializations wouldn’t be comprehensive. Actors, musicians, athletes, and other people or companies with media exposure are among the people they work with. Assisting clients in protecting their intellectual property, such as songs, paintings, and performances, is the primary duty of entertainment lawyers. In addition, entertainment lawyers handle fee agreements, talent releases, and contracts.
Attorney for Medical Malpractice
The majority of people who seek medical malpractice attorneys have experienced a personal injury as a result of a medical professional’s error. These lawyers handle any injury brought on by carelessness, incorrect diagnosis, poor surgery, or unsuitable therapy. When accusations are made against medical experts, a malpractice lawyer can also defend them. These attorneys are typically hired by the hospital or clinic where the professional works.
Contract Attorney
Contract lawyers are experts in helping customers create and implement legally enforceable agreements. They are frequently engaged for contract conflict counsel and consultation, contract negotiation, and breach of contract litigation.
Attorney for Social Security Disability
Even in the best of times, navigating the social security disability system may be challenging. Disability lawyers help clients navigate this compensation and assistance system by making sure their clients are eligible for aid, filing an appeal if benefits are denied, or managing cases involving benefit termination or reduction. Fortunately, disability law is one of the more altruistic legal specialties.
Attorney for the Government
Government lawyers are attorneys who work for any branch of the United States government, whether it be local, county, state, or federal. Typically, they concentrate on the legal facets of the agency they work for’s governing realm. A government-employed attorney may handle matters involving eminent domain, taxation, tort law, wrongful death, and many other areas.
Attorney for the Military
Because they can defend members of the armed forces in both criminal and civil proceedings, military lawyers—also known as Judge Advocate Generals, or JAGs—are comparable to general practice attorneys. Their areas of expertise include civilian, military, and even international law. They also produce documentation, update military handbooks, prepare clients for trial, and handle the technical writing for those handbooks.
Attorney for Mergers and Acquisitions
Lawyers that specialize in corporate or business matters and who only provide advice during acquisitions are known as mergers and acquisitions lawyers. Thorough understanding of securities, tax, and finance legislation is necessary for the purchase and sale of major firms. Even though the work that these lawyers conduct is quite specialized, they nevertheless need to understand a variety of legal topics and commercial procedures. Drafting agreements is these lawyers’ primary responsibility. These agreements between two firms must include all required terms, including confidentiality, employee, and non-compete agreements.
Lawyer for the Environment
An rising number of attorneys are focusing in environmental law as a result of the increased demand for preservation activities brought on by global warming. These legal experts have a thorough understanding of the rules and regulations of the Environmental Protection Agency. The majority of lawyers in the area like contributing to environmental preservation, even though these are not the most wealthy lawyers. These attorneys assist various government agencies, individuals, and companies in preventing additional environmental harm from their operations or in seeking compensation for already-inflicted damages.
A property lawyer or real estate attorney
Real estate attorneys frequently represent buyers, sellers, and agents. Because of their extensive legal expertise, these attorneys can help construction businesses with zoning restrictions and guide them through the home-buying process. They represent both renters and property owners in evictions and foreclosures. Since they frequently serve as middlemen in real estate transactions and disputes, real estate attorneys need to be adept negotiators.
Toxic Injury Attorney
Toxic tort lawyers are one of the most specialized areas in the legal profession. Their area of expertise lies in personal injury litigation and settlements resulting from toxic and dangerous substances. Serious health problems can arise from exposure to toxic medications, chemicals, products, or environmental conditions. Class-action lawsuits against pharmaceutical firms or asbestos exposure are the most frequent types of toxic tort claims. In order to represent clients in court, lawyers must pass the bar test in order to work in this sector.
Attorney for Video Games
In the video game industry, attorneys represent both the game developers and players/fans. Even if they are some of the most fascinating legal specialties, their success in the sector depends on their extensive industrial experience. Publishers, players, game developers, and tournament organizers are among the clients of these legal experts. Video game attorneys manage contracts, provide legal counsel, and use their negotiating abilities to settle disputes and reach agreements. Professionals in this field benefit from having a solid understanding of copyright laws, consumer compliance, data protection, the GDPR, licensing, and agreement drafting.
A Lawyer of Public Interest
Public-interest lawyers are frequently employed by government agencies or nonprofit groups. They provide their clients with legal services at a heavily discounted charge or for free. They can’t become the highest paid lawyers because of this, of course, but they play a crucial part in assisting people in overcoming social injustice. They represent their clients in court and are frequently interested in healthcare, disability, and environmental concerns.
Internet and Digital Media Attorney
Digital media and internet lawyers are legal experts who handle disputes involving digital media or technology connected to the internet. These attorneys mostly deal with copyright, piracy, internet privacy, shielding minors from predators online, and creating terms and conditions for websites in litigation.
Attorney for Finance and Securities
Finance and securities lawyers are frequently hired by individuals or corporate entities who require assistance with problems involving the IRS (Internal Revenue Service) or SEC (Securities Exchange Commission). These organizations work to stop insider trading, fraud, and market manipulation. Employing these lawyers can assist your company maintain compliance with government standards and is in demand for situations involving banking, treasury, and stock trading.
Attorney for Civil Rights
Attorneys for civil rights defend clients against violations of their rights committed by the government, its agencies, or any other authority figure. Plaintiffs frequently face discrimination on the basis of their sexual orientation, gender, age, color, religion, handicap, or other factors. The constitutional rights of their clients—including the freedom of speech, expression, religion, the press, and privacy—are vitally protected by these attorneys.
Attorney for Workers’ Compensation
There are numerous risky jobs out there, and in some industries, physical harm or even death is not uncommon. Workers’ compensation attorneys handle the fallout from workplace accidents among other things. Their main responsibility is to assist families of deceased loved ones from workplace accidents in receiving financial recompense and appropriate closure.
Attorney for Civil Litigation
These lawyers handle civil litigation and lawsuits, as their name suggests. Civil litigation lawyers handle issues involving citizens, whereas corporate litigation lawyers primarily handle lawsuits brought by or against businesses (and frequently both).
Given the vastness of civil litigation, even general practice attorneys usually focus on a few areas of expertise, such as product liability or labor law. As a matter of fact, a number of the lawyer kinds we discussed above are civil litigation specialties.
Prospects for Employment & Salary
We introduced and discussed a few of the most popular legal professions in our piece. Naturally, there is a far longer list of all the various kinds of legal practices. Different specializations exist even within the law professions that we introduced. Those who begin their careers as personal injury attorneys, for instance, may choose to focus on medical law. Contract attorneys, environmental lawyers, and military lawyers are among other professions.