THERE ARE MANY DIFFERENT FIELDS OF LAW PRACTICE THAT LAWYERS TYPICALLY SPECIALIZE IN ONE OR MORE OF. WITHIN THESE FIELDS THERE ARE MANY SUBFIELDS THAT A LAWYER MAY BE MORE SPECIFICALLY FOCUSED ON. THE FOLLOWING IS A SUMMARY OF SOME OF THE MORE COMMON AREAS OF LAW PRACTICE BUT IT IS BY NO MEANS AN EXHAUSTIVE LIST OF EVERY SINGLE AREA OF LAW IN THE UNITED STATES.
Bankruptcy
Bankruptcy law deals with the development plan that allows a person who is in debt and unable to pay their creditors, to resolve their debts through a division of their assets amongst their creditors. Lawyers who specialize in this field need to be highly versed in the U.S. Bankruptcy Code (which is a subset of the United States Code).
Corporate or Business
Corporate, or business, law is the body of law that governs the rights, relations, and conduct of persons, companies, organizations and businesses. It involves the formation, dissolution, and all other legal aspects of the administration of corporations. Corporate lawyers typically deal with mergers, acquisitions, internal reorganization, or disputes between corporations and individuals over liability, patents, and compliance with state and federal law, and international accords.
Civil Rights
Civil rights are the rights of citizens to political and social, freedom and equality. A civil right is an enforceable right or privilege. When someone is discriminated against because of their membership in a particular group or class, this is often viewed as their civil rights being violated. Lawyers who work in this field typically work on cases involving discrimination and unfair practices that infringe on rights such as freedom of speech and expression, employment, housing, education, or other entitlements.
Criminal
Criminal law is the system of law concerned with the punishment of those who commit crimes. Lawyers who work in this field focus on behaviors that are sanctioned under criminal code and defined as illegal. Prosecutors and district attorneys attempt to convict those who are charged with crimes. Criminal defense lawyers defend the accused. A public defender is a state appointed attorney who is paid by the state to defendants accused of crimes.
Family
Family law is the area of law that deals with family relationships. Common reasons people need the service of a family law lawyer is when they need help with adoption, prenuptial agreements, divorce, alimony, child custody, child support, child abuse, paternity, and emancipation.
Immigration
Federal immigration law is focused on individuals involved in all stages of the naturalization process, refugees, asylum seekers, and individuals in the United States without permission. An immigration lawyer acts as an advisor or counselor to people involved in any of these processes, and advocates for them in court when it is necessary.
Personal Injury
Personal injury law is the area of law that deals with people who have been injured or become unwell because of another party or parties’ negligence, malice or reckless behavior. A personal injury lawyer defends a victim’s rights to compensation for expenses that are result of their injury. There are many, many different types of personal injury claims. Examples of some common personal injury claims include but are not limited to: medical malpractice, slip and fall, motor vehicle accidents.
Labor/Employment
Labor and employment law is the area of law concerned with relations between workers and their employers. Labor and employment law covers a wide range of workplace problems including but not limited to, wages and compensation, discrimination and harassment. A labor or employment lawyer helps employees with these kinds of problems. They often help unions and people involved in collective bargaining procedures as well.