Types of Lawyers: Which One Do You Need for Your Legal Issue?

Despite the fact that the term lawyer and attorney are often used interchangeably, there are slight differences between the two. Specializations and practice areas come into play to define each, which is why choosing the right legal professional is of the utmost importance. Learn the differences you need to know in order to make the right choice.

Common Types of Lawyers and Their Specialties

You likely never realized just how expansive the field of law was, but there are a myriad of different types of lawyers. Each of the following subspecialty professionals can help you with varying needs:

1. Personal Injury Lawyers

First and foremost, personal injury lawyers work diligently to handle cases that are related to accidents, medical malpractice, and workplace injuries primarily. Their role is to help clients seek compensation for damages, both economic and non-economic, associated with medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. The role of a personal injury lawyer is to attempt to prove negligence existed in a case to bolster the argument that one party’s actions directly led to the injury of another.

2. Criminal Defense Lawyers

Criminal defense lawyers are arguably the most well-known type of lawyer from popular television shows. These professionals fight to defend those who are accused of crimes ranging from misdemeanors to felonies. They typically spend their time working on bail hearings, plea deals, trials, and appeals.

3. Family Lawyers

Family lawyers are the first true type of specialty lawyer on the list, and they focus specifically on cases involving divorce, child custody, adoption, and prenuptial settlements. They also assist with the process of mediation and litigation in family law disputes, being able to represent the different parties in court.

4. Employment and Labor Lawyers

Unlike personal injury lawyers who focus on cases of injury with employment, an employment or labor lawyer helps to handle workplace disputes, wrongful terminations, harassment, and wage issues. They also assist businesses and employees with understanding their rights and obligations.

5. Business and Corporate Lawyers

Business and corporate lawyers focus in on businesses and assist with business formation needs, contract negotiations, merger scenarios, and general legal compliance. They can work with organizations ranging from startups to small businesses and even large organizations.

6. Immigration Lawyers

Immigration lawyers are a more commonly known subspecialty of the legal space. They focus on helping families and individuals with situations involving visas, green cards, citizenship, and deportation cases. They also represent clients who end up in immigration court proceedings, fighting for their rights or path to citizenship.

7. Estate Planning Lawyers

Estate planning lawyers are unique in that they center in on assisting people with writing wills, managing and forming trusts, probate, and general asset protection. They also assist their clients with any plans for the distribution of wealth after their inevitable death.

8. Real Estate Lawyers

Real estate lawyers are another commonly known profession that helps handle property transactions, deals in zoning laws, mediates landlord-tenant disputes, and oversees foreclosures. They also assist with the formation and enforcement of legal contracts and negotiations with buyers and sellers

9. Intellectual Property (IP) Lawyers

The ninth commonly seen type of lawyer is an IP or intellectual property lawyer. They are specialists who help to protect patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets. IP lawyers are smart individuals who can assist both businesses and individuals in securing and defending their intellectual property rights, which many people often overlook during business negotiations.

10. Bankruptcy Lawyers

For those needing guidance through debt relief options and bankruptcy filings, a bankruptcy lawyer will be your best friend. There are differences between Chapter 7, 11, and 13 bankruptcy, which most people aren’t aware of, but a bankruptcy lawyer can assist you with these nuances.

Choosing the right lawyer for your needs

No two people will have the same exact legal case on their hands which is why knowing who the right legal professional to contact is matters. Making the wrong choice can leave you in a tough position and with wasted time. Seek legal guidance for any and all legal matters, but take advantage of free consultations, as these can offer you insight into whether or not a lawyer has enough experience in whatever you are dealing with.

Be sure to ask them questions such as how they would approach your case or ask for references for similar cases that you can take a look at, which were successful. This will allow you to narrow down to a professional who better suits your unique case needs.