It is not every day that we will need to hire an attorney, so you may not have an occasion to consider what kind of lawyer you would need to hire for your needs. When the necessity does arise, however, it can be important to understand the different types of lawyers that practice and what types of cases each type of lawyer handles.
We know this process can be overwhelming, as there are so many choices to make in a short period of time. If you find yourself asking, “what kind of lawyer do I need”, read on for important information on several different types of lawyers and the cases that they can help you with.
What Services Can Lawyers Help Me With?
A lawyer is a professional who is licensed to practice law by the governing Bar Association in the state where they practice. Lawyers are also known as attorneys when they represent clients in court. Should the need arise, a lawyer can assist you with drafting legal documents, providing legal advice, and providing representation in court proceedings.
Clients typically choose their lawyer based on their practice specialty and their location. Should you be seeking legal advice or representation, bear in mind that some lawyers specialize in more than one practice area. Try to find an attorney that specializes in the area you need advice in, as they will have the tailored knowledge and skills to help you with your case.
What Types of Lawyers are There?
There are numerous types of laws in effect in the United States, with new laws being put into action constantly in our common law system. There are just as many types of lawyers who can help you navigate their specialty. If you are wondering, what kind of lawyer do I need, below is a list of several of the most common types of lawyers that you may require, and the types of cases they can assist with.
This list is by no means exhaustive and is meant as a helpful guide to navigating the most common issues that may arise to speed up your vetting process for hiring an attorney.
Family Attorney
Family attorneys can help you with a range of personal family-related issues. If you need to speak to someone about a divorce, a family lawyer can represent you in this area. They can also assist with child support and custody issues. These legal needs require a good deal of paperwork and can be challenging to handle on your own, as there are so many emotions involved.
A family attorney can assist you in navigating these challenging emotional waters in a professional and courteous manner. Family attorneys will also be the type of attorney that you contact for assistance with adoption. They will be able to help you cut through any red tape that you may encounter during the adoption process to help the case proceed smoothly.
Criminal Defense Attorney
Should you find yourself in hot water with the law, or if you have been arrested for a crime, you should seek the representation of a criminal defense attorney. They will be able to defend you in criminal proceedings and will have the knowledge and expertise to help prove your innocence beyond a reasonable doubt in front of the jury.
If you have been arrested, you should seek a criminal defense attorney early in the process to help you maintain your rights throughout. You are entitled to have representation present at questioning, and they can supervise the process to ensure law enforcement is following proper procedure.
Should you be found guilty of the crime you have been accused of, they will be able to make a plea deal with the prosecutor to attempt to get you the most favorable outcome in terms of your sentence. Navigating these waters by yourself can be tricky and is not advisable. It is strongly recommended to hire a criminal defense attorney.
Business Attorney (Litigation or Transactional)
Businesses may need representation for several reasons, thus the business law specialty. This category is so large, however, that it must be considered under two separate types of attorneys.
If your business is being sued by another for an alleged breach of contract issue, you will need to seek an attorney that specializes in business litigation. This type of attorney will have the skill that you need to represent your company in court and build a strong case to represent you in the breach of contract matter.
Should you need an attorney to assist with starting or growing your business and ensuring that you are covering your bases every step of the way, you will need to hire a transactional business attorney. They will be able to assist you with important business processes such as incorporation, obtaining funding, and drafting your employment and non-disclosure agreements.
Should your business grow to the point of issuing stock and creating spin-off subsidiaries, they can assist you through those processes as well. It is also advisable to have an attorney on retainer to seek legal advice for everyday questions you may have.
Trusts and Estates Lawyer
Setting your affairs in order is an important process so that it does not fall upon your family in the event of your death. A trusts and estates lawyer can assist you with drafting your will and will be able to set up trusts in order to minimize estate taxes and maximize the inheritance that you leave to your loved ones. If you have any questions about these processes, you should contact a trusts and estates lawyer for a consultation.
Real Estate Lawyer
If you are in the process of purchasing a home or a commercial property, a real estate attorney can help you with any questions that may arise during the process. If the property you are interested in purchasing has a lien against it, they can help you determine this.
You may be purchasing a larger parcel of land and would like to divide it into two or more smaller lots. You may also be looking to change the zoning of a new property from residential to commercial. These are all issues that a real estate lawyer can assist with.
Other Common Types of Attorneys Needed
While the types of attorneys above tend to be the most common that you may need, there are also lawyers that specialize in immigration, landlord-tenant issues, employment issues, bankruptcy, patent attorneys, etc. The key to finding the right attorney to assist you with your needs will be to be specific during your search and be frank with any offices that you contact. Even if the first attorney you call is unable to help you with your specific issue, they will likely be able to refer you to someone who can assist.
Personal Injury Attorney
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, you would be well advised to seek the assistance of a personal injury attorney. These attorneys have a great deal of experience in dealing with insurance companies and will have the knowledge and experience to maximize your settlement so that you can seek appropriate treatment without worrying about the costs.
Personal injury attorneys are also able to assist you in any matter in which you have been injured by the negligence of another. Should you find yourself injured in a premises liability issue, where the owner or controller of the property did not adequately maintain the area and created an unsafe condition, this would be the type of lawyer you need to contact for assistance. Personal injury attorneys also represent victims of medical malpractice, dog bites, slip and fall accidents, etc.
How Carey Leisure Carney Can Help
No matter what kind of situation you find yourself in, the team at Carey Leisure Carney is happy to help guide you in the right direction. We have worked hard to find the top local attorneys in each area of practice and would be happy to provide you with a referral. Even if you are not calling for a personal injury, funeral home malpractice, or wrongful death claim, you can trust us to refer you to someone we trust.
If you or your loved ones have been injured due to the negligence of another and need to hire a personal injury attorney, trust the team at Carey Leisure Carney to help. Our attorneys have 100+ years of experience between them and have developed a reputation of excellence in the community. Our team has also represented hundreds of victims of wrongful death and funeral home malpractice. Should you find yourself in need of a personal injury attorney, call Carey Leisure Carney today for a free consultation.