Lawyers, as a whole, are professionals who understand the legal system and use that knowledge to represent people, organizations, or causes. But there are many different subtypes of lawyers. This can make finding one when you need one much harder than it needs to be. Becoming familiar with the different types of lawyers and what they do can help you out if you ever need to go to court, or at the very least, become a fact for you to add to your general knowledge!
Criminal Defense Lawyers
Criminal defense lawyers represent people who’ve been charged with a crime. Whether the charge is a misdemeanor or a felony, their job is to build a defense and protect the client’s rights throughout the process. They review evidence, challenge procedures, negotiate with prosecutors, and argue in court if the case goes to trial. A person charged with assault, theft, or DUI would turn to a criminal defense lawyer for representation.
Family Lawyers
Family law covers a wide range of personal legal matters. Divorce, child custody, adoption, guardianship, and domestic violence cases all fall into this category. Family lawyers handle the legal paperwork and court proceedings that come with major life changes. When a couple splits up and can’t agree on a custody arrangement, a family lawyer steps in to navigate the process and represent one party’s interests.
Personal Injury Lawyers
Personal injury lawyers work on cases where someone was hurt due to another person’s or entity’s negligence. Car accidents, slip-and-fall injuries, medical malpractice, and defective products are common cases in this area. These lawyers work to get their clients financial compensation for medical bills, lost income, and other damages. Most personal injury attorneys work on contingency, meaning they only get paid if the case wins.
Human Rights Lawyers
Human rights lawyers are attorneys that focus on marginalized populations, like undocumented immigrants or incarcerated individuals. Depending on their specialty, they can take on a wide range of cases for their clientele. Some specialize in proving medical abuse against patients and detainees. Others fight for fair treatment in housing or employment. But generally, their focus will be on situations that infringe on these basic civil, social, and political rights as human beings.
Estate Planning Lawyers
Estate planning lawyers help people prepare for what happens to their assets after they die. They draft wills, set up trusts, designate beneficiaries, and help clients structure their finances in a way that holds up legally. Without proper planning, a person’s estate can get tied up in probate court for months or even years. Families dealing with a loved one’s assets after an unexpected death often wish that planning had happened sooner.
The Right Lawyer for the Right Situation
The legal field is wide, and no single lawyer handles every type of case. Knowing the different types of lawyers and what they do helps you walk into the process with an idea of who you actually need. The wrong type of lawyer wastes time and money. The right one knows your situation inside and out from day one.
