What area of law should I specialise in - Family Law or Intellectual Property/Contract?

Question

I just wondered what the downsides and plus sides would be for the above areas of law. I have to choose in August (ILEX qualifications) and wondered if anybody could advise me on what would be the best route to take. If anybody has any other ideas aside from the above those are welcome too. Many thanks.

Answer 1

I work at a large law firm, we have both of these depts. as well as others. Just from observing from the outside I would say the family attys. are happier with their jobs in terms of making a difference in the world. However the Intellectual property/contract lawyers make more money and some of them are really into the field. Our managing partner practices Intel. property/contracts and is doing VERY well for himself.

Answer 2

It is, if you don't mind me saying so, a slightly ridiculous question. There is no correlation between Family Law and IP. The aptitudes and requirement are entirely different and unless you have an apptitude for either, you will be unsuccessful and unhappy in both.
With the greatest of respect to the family lawyer who gave a very fine answer (and which I thumbed-up) family law is very much an arm of the social services. It's person-centered and can be very emotionally draining.
I tried it for a couple of years but I'd rather work in Tescos than do FL again.
If you want to specialise in IP, on the other hand, you had better have the intellectual horsepower it requires. It is a very specialist area and some engineering or science qualification is almost a prerequisite.
It's impossible to give any meaningful answer to a question which depends on knowing what you skill-set is.
As a legal exec, give yourself qualifications which make you attractive to the broadest base of firms you can.
Be realistic as to your likely level of achievement in any area. Are you academic or practical, do you want corporate or individual clients.
Do you want to work in a large firm or a small firm, is money your driver, or job satisfaction?
You are not going to find the answer to this question on Yahoo Answers, no matter how well-meaning the contributors are.

Answer 3

I work for a small personal injury firm that specializes in FTCA claims and Indian Law, I believe we make a big difference and for a one attorney firm I must say my boss does very very well financially and he only charges his clients 10% of the recovery. As an employee I'm very happy here because the bonuses are outrageous and the people we deal with on the most part wonderful.

My co-worker and I discuss family law all the time and to us it seems that there would be a lot of drama with clients calling raging about the other as far as divorces and child custodies.

Answer 4

My wife has a law degree and she would probably advise you to choose a profession other than law. This is based on her contacts with other lawyers, so many of whom volunteer that they wished they would have done something different than "lawyering".

The above aside, of the two options presented, intellectual property law is much safer than family law, where the clients have been known to kill their lawyers. It's also likely to leave you less depressed (not that you will be depressed).

Answer 5

Family law is the most depressing, debilitating, aggravating area of law there is -- and one of the least remunerative. I know this last hard to believe when you constantly read about the few lawyers who hit the headlines representing movie stars. But ask yourself: How many lawyers actually represent movie stars & how many represent truck drivers, cops, & 18 year old single mothers?

Intellectual property on the other hand is one of the most rapidly growing areas of law; has particular application internationally (where most growth is -- esp. in Asia) & all the clients are in business -- meaning they can afford to pay! You also don't spend your time looking for parking space at the courthouse; nobody parks their children in your waiting room, & nobody EVER calls you on Saturday night for an emergency hearing because (a) "She won't let me see the kids," or (b) "He took the kids to his girlfriend's house & they're smoking dope!"

Believe me, intellectual property is the way to go.

Answer 6

These are both good areas of practice.

I know that some of my friends have had a quick "burn out" with family law. They were skilled and had a good practice, but they felt that they were emotionally drained by having to deal with domestic conflict.

Intellectual property law runs a gamut including everything from patent law (engineering background recommended) to trademark and copyright law, and including litigation. This strikes me as more interesting.

Answer 7

Intellectual property law demands a background in science/math/engineering.

Family law demands a lot of patience and hand holding, and you deal with your clients everyday.

Your choice depends if you are more into dealing with things or people.

Good luck!

Answer 8

My mom does contracts and she loves it. Its nice and clean cut. If you want something with alot ow wiggle room and difining new laws, go with Intell. property. Family Law is REALLY messy. No one ever really wins and alot of times kids get in the middle. If you really love to argue do Criminal Litigation, which is what i do. However, sometimes you do get some real scum bags.

Answer 9

he's doing NO such element. The regulation is decrease than evaluation. he's no longer "engaged on overthrowing it" neither is he "suing the state of Arizona". Get your "data" directly. he's likewise no longer taking a stand against it. His right quote replaced into" "i've got only expressed concerns on the inspiration of what i've got heard on the subject of the regulation. yet i'm no longer in a position to assert at this component, no longer having study the regulation, no longer having had the possibility to work together with human beings are doing the evaluation, precisely what my place is,"

Answer 10

The Decision is..

Whatever You see fit and right for you.
don't ask these kind of questions to strangers like us.

this is your future that you are asking about.