Different Types of Lawyers and Why You Might Need One

There are over 1.3 million lawyers currently practicing law in the United States. That is a lot of people at the ready to aid you in your quest for legal justice. 

The problem is, how do you know which one is right for your needs? Just like doctors, there are different types of lawyers that specialize in a particular area of the law. So you don’t want to go to a lawyer that specializes in tax law for a personal injury case. 

Keep reading for an explanation of the most common different types of lawyers and why you would go to them. 

Personal Injury Lawyer 

If you have an injury as a result of an accident, say a car accident, then this is the type of lawyer you will need. These lawyers and this attorney specialize in getting compensation for your injuries that are a result of someone else’s actions. 

Estate Planning Lawyer 

Do you know what will happen to all of your belongings after you die? You need an estate planning lawyer to help you create the legal documents necessary to ensure that everything you own goes to the people you want it to when you pass away

Bankruptcy Lawyer 

If you find that you are in over your head with debt, you will want to consult with a bankruptcy lawyer. They can advise you of your eligibility, the different types, and potential alternatives. They will help guide you through the process and which debt you can avoid, reduce, or must pay. 

Criminal Lawyer 

Have you been arrested or accused of a crime? Then a criminal lawyer is who you need to turn to. They know the proper process for arrest, bail, arraignment, making a plea, and going to trial. 

Civil Lawyer 

If you want to sue someone, or they have sued you, then a civil litigation lawyer Los Angeles can help you. There are specialties within this category also. 

Medical Malpractice Lawyer 

While doctors and medical professionals do their very best to give you quality treatment, they are human and do make mistakes. A medical malpractice attorney can help you make a claim of misdiagnosis, improper treatments, and any other inappropriate behavior while seeking medical care.

Family Lawyer 

A family lawyer can assist with everything from prenuptial agreements to divorce proceedings. If you and your ex cannot agree on child custody, a family lawyer can help you in this situation. Seeking help from experts in this field is necessary as they would be able to do a thorough analysis and give advice that are favorable to you. You can get more insightful information here at https://familylawyersgroup.com/2014/02/child-preference-oklahoma-child-custody/ to get a better understanding of the whole situation.

Contract Lawyer 

Do you have a contracted agreement with someone and they aren’t performing as agreed? A contract lawyer can help you sort through your written agreement and determine your best course of action. 

They can also help you avoid signing something that is less than favorable for you. So if someone wants you to sign a contract, have your contract attorney read it first. 

Intellectual Property Lawyer 

If you create anything, then you will want to be familiar with an intellectual property lawyer. These lawyers help you protect your creations through the use of trademarks, patents, copyrights, and trade secrets. 

Immigration Lawyer 

The majority of Canadians will never need this type of lawyer. However, if you or someone you know is attempting to move to Canada and becoming a citizen, an immigration consultant or lawyer will be their best friend. 

This type of lawyer can walk you through the process of applying for a visa, citizenship, refugee status, asylum, or a green card. 

Workers Compensation Lawyer 

Injuries that happen to employees during the course of their employment qualify for workers compensation. Depending on the severity of your injury, this type of lawyer can look out for your best interest and ensure you receive full compensation for your injuries. 

Many states have strict regulations that businesses must comply with. Without a lawyer, you may not know what these regulations are and what you are entitled to. 

Social Security Disability lawyer 

It is notoriously difficult to file a claim for social security disability successfully. Only 36% of applications get approval. That means that two-thirds of claims are denied.

One way to set yourself up for approval is to ensure your application is complete and correct. The only way to do this is to consult a social security disability lawyer. 

Tax Lawyer 

The IRS is a behemoth and dealing with them can be daunting, especially if they say you owe them a lot of money. A tax attorney can help you navigate the incredibly detailed and convoluted tax code. 

With their advice, you can defend yourself and negotiate for the most favorable outcome. Remember, the IRS has attorneys that work for them full time, the IRS tax code if their job. You are no match for this and need someone on your side who also has dedicated their career to knowing the ins and out of tax law. 

Corporate Lawyer

If you own or work with corporations, you will find yourself working closely with corporate lawyers. Corporate lawyers form a variety of functions that pertain to corporations, including formation, governance, merging, dissolution, and compliance.

Sort Though the Different Types of Lawyers

If you have a legal claim that you would like to make, your first step is to sort through the different types of lawyers and determine which one is right for your needs. For very complicated cases, many different types of lawyers may be needed. 

Start your lawyer search by speaking with friends and family to get recommendations. Then look online for reviews. Finally, meet with the lawyer for a consultation where you can determine the attorney’s experience and performance history. 

Check out our blog for more advice on hiring a lawyer and pursuing your legal claim. 

Adam Hansen
 

Adam is a part time journalist, entrepreneur, investor and father.