Like any field, law and legal studies can be complicated. With dozens of specialty areas and specific areas of practice, it can be difficult to understand what kind of attorney is right for what legal need. If you think you need the help of an attorney but aren’t sure what kind of law you need them to specialize in or are considering law school and want to hone your legal areas of interest, read on to learn about the basic fields of law and law firms out there.
Civil Law
Civil law is an umbrella type of law that covers the private lives and personal affairs of people in the United States. Property damage, libel and slander, family matters like divorce and custody disputes, and lawsuits between or involving corporations or businesses are examples of areas of civil law.
Different than criminal law, this type of law deals with issues like private property, relationships, and business disputes. A creditor harassment attorney, for example, would work to help someone being called continuously for debt collection at work and home. Many people don’t know that there are laws around creditors and when and where a debt collector can call. A creditor harassment attorney can help if you’re getting unwanted calls from a collection agency.
Creditor harassment is only a small area of civil law. If a potential client has a problem that doesn’t involve a crime, they can call an attorney who specializes in the practice area that makes the most sense and ask for a free legal services consultation. Lawyers can tell a new client if they cover their type of law. If they don’t have legal advice they can give a prospective client, they will often refer you to the best practice or law firm for your needs.
Criminal Law
Criminal law is an umbrella term for areas of law involving crime and criminal activities. Lawyers who specialize in criminal law represent or prosecute defendants in criminal cases. Known for their courtroom activities, criminal lawyers handle everything from reckless driving and DUI issues to real housewives with shocking mugshots who may be charged with fraud.
Lawyers who specialize in criminal law work as either prosecutors or defenders. This means they either work for the state to help get justice for a family or community and put a defendant in jail or that they help a defendant to prove their innocence.
Because being charged with a criminal charge can mean jail time or losing your freedom, anyone charged with a crime in the United States has the legal right to have a lawyer appointed for them. That is, if you can’t afford an attorney but have been charged with a crime, the court will appoint you a lawyer to help you navigate your case.
If you’re facing a legal criminal charge and can afford an attorney, it’s important to hire a lawyer as soon as possible. They will represent you through the entire legal process and work in your best interest to help you prove your innocence or minimize punitive consequences. Criminal lawyers, like their civil counterparts, offer free consultations, too, so be sure to make that phone call. The attorney-client relationship can be critical in how the case turns out so don’t be afraid to shop around and do your research to find the law firm that’s the right fit for you.
Business Law
Business law, a type of civil law, involves all matters around starting and closing a business. From the initial filing of an LLC or corporation status, through to payrolls, taxes and more, business law includes any type of law involving business transactions and partnerships. For example, if someone were to start a business providing OKR consultants to various businesses, they might want a business lawyer to help them set up their official legal paperwork.
While a business lawyer is unlikely to help you with brand awareness, they can help to protect your brand in legal matters involving reputation. An area of law that often crosses over into others, business lawyers are well versed in any legal matter that impacts both corporations and small business owners.
Family Law
Another type of civil law, family law deals with matters of divorce, separation, estate issues and anything that has to do with the family. Often seen in a typical marketing guide for law firms under divorce, these lawyers do a whole lot more. Between working with family services and serving as guardian ad litem for at risk children, family lawyers’ area of expertise means juggling sensitive and often heated family matters and cases.
If you’re involved in a family dispute, it’s important to hire a family lawyer who feels comfortable to you. When calling for a free consultation, be sure to ask about attorneys’ fees, experience, and different ways they’ll represent you.
Other Types of Law
Personal injury, bankruptcy, real estate, intellectual property and dozens of other types of legal specialties are generally included under civil law. While some will straddle over into criminal law, depending on the situation, these specialties work to get private citizens what’s owed to them after being wronged through negligence, fraud, or even accidentally.
In the end, there are hundreds of specific types of law and specialties. Most lawyers are trained to take on cases in their area of interest that cover more than one area but your best bet when seeking legal representation is to get as close as you can to the type of lawyer or law firm suited to your case. Before you hire an attorney, you’ll want to do your research. Look up what type of law they specialize in, read their bio, and check for reviews online. Another way to get a trusted attorney who will work in your best interest is to ask family, friends, and co workers who they’ve worked with in the first place.
If you take the time to do your homework and research ahead, call a legal referral network, and look up attorney and law firm backgrounds, you’ll have your best shot at winning your case. If you’re a student looking to lock down your legal specialty interest, consider your personal interests and goals. The best way to make a difference is to represent prospective clients and matters you’re passionate about. Your future clients will thank you for it.
