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BrandisCodman2
Student
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What kind of lawyer can you be?
I'm interested in being a lawyer when i get older but there's different types of law firms, what are the different types? #career #law #lawyer #career-options
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4 answers
Jung Hwa Song
16
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Jung Hwa’s Answer
Great question. I'm a 29-year-old law student, and I still don't know all the different types of law there are. I can tell you right now that most of my classmates don't know all the types of law out there and what type of law they want to practice, either. The next real step for you to think about at this stage may be -- do I want to invest 3 years of my life (and tuition) in law school? To answer that, it will be most important to know certain things about yourself first -- because THAT is what will help you narrow down the area of law you want to work in as you go through law school.
Here's what I knew about myself: I love reading and writing (research) and debate. I am passionate about social and political issues. One of the biggest motivators that propels me to action is social justice. I love the idea of being able to use law as a tool to create meaningful change, potentially in the policy arena (but who knows...did you read the part about my being 29 and still not having all the answers?)
Because I knew these things about myself, I interned with a criminal defense attorney when I was in high school. I found that I loved it, so I kept in touch with him and asked him lots of questions. I talked to friends and family members (and sometimes even strangers) who are lawyers about why they went to law school, what they got out of it, and whether they enjoyed their jobs. I read lots of newspaper articles on law-related issues (to ask myself, do I find the legal "lens" an interesting way to understand the world around me? YES!!) Asking myself these types of questions, trying to get as much exposure to lawyers and legal issues as I could -- these are what helped me figure out whether law school might be good for me, and this type of proactive searching -- coupled with some good, old-fashioned work experience as a journalist -- is what made me realize that I might be interested in pursuing media law after law school (but who knows? My studies and internship experience next semester may help change my mind!)
Lucky for you (and me), the first year of law school gives you a taste of MANY different types of law, and it's all mandatory so you don't have to make any big decisions now: civil procedure (contracts law (how courts hold people to their promises), criminal law (Law and Order, anyone?), constitutional law (what Supreme Court justices think about all day long), etc. Keep an open mind. After my first semester of law school, I found myself LOVING contracts law (WHAT?? Didn't she just say she loved social justice?) and not being as excited by Civil Procedure (that's the class that involves all those social justice issues I supposedly love, like due process/the right to be heard in court.) Your law professors will not only give you an idea of what the issues are in a certain area of law, they are often practitioners who are happy to share with you exactly what it is like to work with these issues everyday in an office.
Law school is really where you will decide what type of lawyer you want to be. Every week, most law schools offer panels and talks during which practitioners come and talk to you about what their day-to-day is like. Law schools usually have a career services office where counselors will help talk you through the different areas of law that might be a great fit for you. These counselors will also news of great internship opportunities during the school year and summers -- getting experience is key to figuring out if an area of law is right for you. If law school is the right decision for you, it is very likely that something in a class or internship/work opportunity will captivate your imagination and strike you as a good use of your skills, as long as you are proactive and keep an open mind.
Oh and I forgot to mention that salaries can be a really important factor for some people, especially those with outstanding debt from school loans. That may also be something that narrows down the opportunities you look at right after school.
Here's what I knew about myself: I love reading and writing (research) and debate. I am passionate about social and political issues. One of the biggest motivators that propels me to action is social justice. I love the idea of being able to use law as a tool to create meaningful change, potentially in the policy arena (but who knows...did you read the part about my being 29 and still not having all the answers?)
Because I knew these things about myself, I interned with a criminal defense attorney when I was in high school. I found that I loved it, so I kept in touch with him and asked him lots of questions. I talked to friends and family members (and sometimes even strangers) who are lawyers about why they went to law school, what they got out of it, and whether they enjoyed their jobs. I read lots of newspaper articles on law-related issues (to ask myself, do I find the legal "lens" an interesting way to understand the world around me? YES!!) Asking myself these types of questions, trying to get as much exposure to lawyers and legal issues as I could -- these are what helped me figure out whether law school might be good for me, and this type of proactive searching -- coupled with some good, old-fashioned work experience as a journalist -- is what made me realize that I might be interested in pursuing media law after law school (but who knows? My studies and internship experience next semester may help change my mind!)
Lucky for you (and me), the first year of law school gives you a taste of MANY different types of law, and it's all mandatory so you don't have to make any big decisions now: civil procedure (contracts law (how courts hold people to their promises), criminal law (Law and Order, anyone?), constitutional law (what Supreme Court justices think about all day long), etc. Keep an open mind. After my first semester of law school, I found myself LOVING contracts law (WHAT?? Didn't she just say she loved social justice?) and not being as excited by Civil Procedure (that's the class that involves all those social justice issues I supposedly love, like due process/the right to be heard in court.) Your law professors will not only give you an idea of what the issues are in a certain area of law, they are often practitioners who are happy to share with you exactly what it is like to work with these issues everyday in an office.
Law school is really where you will decide what type of lawyer you want to be. Every week, most law schools offer panels and talks during which practitioners come and talk to you about what their day-to-day is like. Law schools usually have a career services office where counselors will help talk you through the different areas of law that might be a great fit for you. These counselors will also news of great internship opportunities during the school year and summers -- getting experience is key to figuring out if an area of law is right for you. If law school is the right decision for you, it is very likely that something in a class or internship/work opportunity will captivate your imagination and strike you as a good use of your skills, as long as you are proactive and keep an open mind.
Oh and I forgot to mention that salaries can be a really important factor for some people, especially those with outstanding debt from school loans. That may also be something that narrows down the opportunities you look at right after school.
Ines Gonzalez
Technology Transactions Attorney at LinkedIn
5
Answers
Sunnyvale, California
Updated
Ines’s Answer
There are so many different types of law firms; I don't think I could identify all of them. There are general firms that offer many different types of legal services and boutique firms that specialize in a specific area. There are also people who hang their own "shingle" and offer their services as an individual attorney.
There are firms for companies and firms for individuals. For example, firms for companies help the companies with forming a corporation, getting loans/financing, filing reports required by the government, drafting and negotiating contracts, give employment or tax advice, and managing law suits.
Firms that work with individuals can work on a range of issues: family issues (divorce, custody, etc.), wills, immigration, personal injuries (like car accidents), tax advice, discrimination, criminal investigations, etc.
Take some time to explore what interests you and to figure out what you're good at. I negotiate contracts for technology companies. I've never stepped foot in a court room and my mom says I'm not useful to her. But I love what I do and think I'm pretty good at it.
Richard A.
physician
2150
Answers
Updated
Richard’s Answer
I've learned that there are many areas of law, and you can choose the type of field based on your strengths and personality. If you like to speak in front of people, you can be a litigator. If you like to write, you can write appeals. Try to pin point your goals. For instance, what is important to you: Do you want to make money or help people who can't afford a lawyer? Do you want to work for the government or in the private sector? There are big firms and small firms.
Mackenzie Ward
associate
103
Answers
Houston, Texas
Updated
Mackenzie’s Answer
Criminal Lawyer: Specializes in defending individuals or entities accused of criminal conduct, ranging from minor offenses to serious crimes.
Family Lawyer: Deals with legal matters related to family relationships, such as divorce, child custody, adoption, and spousal support.
Personal Injury Lawyer: Represents individuals who have been injured due to negligence or wrongdoing, often in accidents such as car crashes, medical malpractice, or slip-and-fall incidents.
Real Estate Lawyer: Focuses on legal issues related to real property, including buying, selling, leasing, and property disputes.
Corporate Lawyer: Provides legal advice and services to businesses on matters such as mergers and acquisitions, contracts, intellectual property, and corporate governance.
Employment Lawyer: Specializes in matters related to employment law, including workplace discrimination, wrongful termination, wage disputes, and labor law issues.
Intellectual Property (IP) Lawyer: Handles legal matters related to intellectual property rights, including patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets.
Environmental Lawyer: Deals with legal issues related to environmental protection, including regulations, compliance, and disputes over environmental damage.
Immigration Lawyer: Assists individuals and businesses with immigration-related legal matters, such as obtaining visas, green cards, and citizenship.
Bankruptcy Lawyer: Helps individuals or businesses navigate the process of filing for bankruptcy and dealing with financial insolvency.
Estate Planning Lawyer: Helps individuals plan for the distribution of their assets after their death, including creating wills, trusts, and other estate planning documents.
Healthcare Lawyer: Specializes in legal matters related to healthcare and medical ethics, including patient rights, medical malpractice, and regulatory compliance.
Civil Rights Lawyer: Advocates for individuals whose civil rights have been violated, often involving cases related to discrimination, freedom of speech, and other constitutional issues.
Tax Lawyer: Deals with legal matters related to taxation, including tax planning, tax disputes, and representing clients before tax authorities.
International Lawyer: Handles legal issues that involve international law, such as cross-border transactions, international trade, and diplomatic relations.
Entertainment Lawyer: Represents clients in the entertainment industry, including actors, musicians, filmmakers, and other creative professionals, with regards to contracts, intellectual property, and entertainment law.
These are just a few examples of the many specialized areas within the field of law. It's important to note that some lawyers may practice in multiple areas, while others focus exclusively on one specific area of law.
Family Lawyer: Deals with legal matters related to family relationships, such as divorce, child custody, adoption, and spousal support.
Personal Injury Lawyer: Represents individuals who have been injured due to negligence or wrongdoing, often in accidents such as car crashes, medical malpractice, or slip-and-fall incidents.
Real Estate Lawyer: Focuses on legal issues related to real property, including buying, selling, leasing, and property disputes.
Corporate Lawyer: Provides legal advice and services to businesses on matters such as mergers and acquisitions, contracts, intellectual property, and corporate governance.
Employment Lawyer: Specializes in matters related to employment law, including workplace discrimination, wrongful termination, wage disputes, and labor law issues.
Intellectual Property (IP) Lawyer: Handles legal matters related to intellectual property rights, including patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets.
Environmental Lawyer: Deals with legal issues related to environmental protection, including regulations, compliance, and disputes over environmental damage.
Immigration Lawyer: Assists individuals and businesses with immigration-related legal matters, such as obtaining visas, green cards, and citizenship.
Bankruptcy Lawyer: Helps individuals or businesses navigate the process of filing for bankruptcy and dealing with financial insolvency.
Estate Planning Lawyer: Helps individuals plan for the distribution of their assets after their death, including creating wills, trusts, and other estate planning documents.
Healthcare Lawyer: Specializes in legal matters related to healthcare and medical ethics, including patient rights, medical malpractice, and regulatory compliance.
Civil Rights Lawyer: Advocates for individuals whose civil rights have been violated, often involving cases related to discrimination, freedom of speech, and other constitutional issues.
Tax Lawyer: Deals with legal matters related to taxation, including tax planning, tax disputes, and representing clients before tax authorities.
International Lawyer: Handles legal issues that involve international law, such as cross-border transactions, international trade, and diplomatic relations.
Entertainment Lawyer: Represents clients in the entertainment industry, including actors, musicians, filmmakers, and other creative professionals, with regards to contracts, intellectual property, and entertainment law.
These are just a few examples of the many specialized areas within the field of law. It's important to note that some lawyers may practice in multiple areas, while others focus exclusively on one specific area of law.