Types of lawyer
Different Types of Lawyers and Their Specializations
1. Bankruptcy Lawyer
Bankruptcy lawyers are specialists in the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, assisting clients with insolvency matters. They typically focus on either consumer or commercial bankruptcy. In consumer bankruptcy, they represent individuals or creditors, while in commercial bankruptcy, they advocate for corporate creditors and debtors. Regardless of specialization, their work revolves around financial restructuring, plan confirmations, and valuation disputes.
2. Business Lawyer (Corporate Lawyer)
Business lawyers, also referred to as corporate lawyers, manage legal issues for companies, ensuring compliance with local, state, and federal laws during transactions. Their common tasks include handling mergers and acquisitions, business formation or dissolution, patents, intellectual property, and liability disputes. Daily activities often involve legal research, drafting and revising documents, and negotiating contracts.
3. Constitutional Lawyer
Constitutional lawyers focus on interpreting and implementing the U.S. Constitution, balancing governmental and individual interests. Their responsibilities can include challenging legislation's constitutionality, representing individuals in discrimination cases, or offering constitutional law expertise in academic settings. They may engage in civil rights cases and occasionally argue legal issues before state or U.S. Supreme Courts—a rare opportunity for lawyers in other fields.
4. Criminal Defense Lawyer
Criminal defense lawyers advocate for individuals accused of crimes, ensuring their rights and liberties are upheld in the justice system. They may work as public defenders or private attorneys, using the law to benefit the accused while safeguarding their interests. These lawyers often appear in court more frequently than their counterparts in other legal fields, especially during trials.
5. Employment and Labor Lawyer
Employment and labor lawyers manage relationships among unions, employers, and employees, tackling issues like workplace discrimination, harassment, wage regulations, benefits, and pension security. While their responsibilities overlap, labor lawyers primarily focus on union-management relations and collective bargaining, whereas employment lawyers deal with non-union workplace matters.
6. Entertainment Lawyer
Entertainment lawyers represent clients in media-related fields, such as athletes, artists, musicians, and actors, protecting their intellectual property, which may include lyrics or performance routines. They negotiate contracts, secure talent releases, liaise with agents and venue staff, and oversee membership in unions and guilds.
7. Legacy Planning Lawyer
Legacy planning lawyers are knowledgeable about property rights, wills, probate, and trusts. They provide legal guidance to ensure that client assets are managed correctly when passing through a will or trust while addressing tax and legal issues. Since deciding how to allocate assets among family members can be complex, these lawyers often use questionnaires to help clients assess their financial situations and make informed decisions.
