My parents were both Patent lawyers. If I wanted to go into law, but not tread in their footsteps completely, what are some other options?
2007-08-06 04:28:19 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Business & Finance ➔ Careers & Employment ➔ Law & Legal
This is going to take some carpal tunnel...
Types of Legal Practice
The practice of law takes several forms. The ways in which lawyers apply their expertise can be broadly categorized into the following practice types:
Private Practice: involves working alone or with partners in a law firm to provide legal services to clients (individuals or corporations); some lawyers specialize in one or more practice areas while others engage in general practice.
Public Interest Law: serves low-income individuals, marginalized groups and social causes; practitioners may work for advocacy groups, legal aid clinics and other organizations with the goal of advancing an interest of the public.
Government Counsel: governments hire lawyers for legal advice and representation; lawyers directly employed by the government may work for ministries, government agencies and crown corporations.
Corporate Counsel: corporations can employ lawyers as in-house counsel; an in-house counsel works for a single company to advise on legal matters related to its business activities.
Practice Areas (Specializations)
The law impacts our lives in numerous ways, so naturally the legal profession covers many fields. Some lawyers practice in all areas of the law, while others choose to specialize. Here are some areas of specialization in legal practice:
Administrative Law: branch of public law dealing with the relationship between individuals and the government; regulates the power of governmental administrative agencies and ensures fair implementation and administration of laws.
Civil Litigation: involves a lawsuit resulting from a dispute between private parties (individuals or corporations); civil litigation is concerned with matters such as breach of contract, debt collection, malpractice and personal injury.
Constitutional Law: branch of public law dealing with powers of the federal government and the division of powers between the federal and provincial governments; constitutional lawyers handle issues such as equality rights, freedom of expression, security and democratic governance.
Corporate and Commercial Law: deals with the formation and maintenance of businesses; corporate and commercial lawyers handle contracts, liability, mergers, structured financings and other business matters.
Criminal Law: governs crimes against the public and members of the public (as opposed to civil litigation which deals with private disputes); a criminal lawyer may work for the government as a prosecutor or represent the accused person as a defence lawyer.
Environmental Law: legislation and regulations relating to the interaction of humans with the environment; environmental lawyers deal with matters such as air pollution, wilderness preservation and waste disposal.
Family Law: applies to legal relationships between family members; issues in family law include marriage contracts, divorce, child custody, adoption, wills and estate planning.
Immigration Law: federal laws control the entry of non-citizens into the country; immigration lawyers assist clients in applying for entry, residing in the country and becoming citizens.
Intellectual Property Law: intellectual property refers to the ownership rights to certain kinds of creative endeavours; intellectual property law protects ownership through copyrights, patents, trademarks and industrial design registrations.
International Law: governs the interactions and relationships between nations; international lawyers may be hired by national governments and international organizations, or work in the private sector focusing on the interpretation of treaties and related laws.
Labour and Employment Law: defines the rights and obligations of employers, workers and union members; lawyers may advise management, labour or government on issues such as employment standards, workplace health and safety, and industrial relations.
Real Estate Law: deals with the purchase, sale, financing and development of land and buildings; real estate lawyers may work for developers, tenants, investors, banks or corporations on matters relating to residential or commercial real estate.
Securities Law: regulates the purchase and sale of securities (financial instruments such as stocks and bonds); securities lawyers typically work in law firms providing services to corporations and financial institutions or for governmental commissions focusing on regulatory compliance.
Tax Law: deals with the taxes levied by different levels of government; tax lawyers may advise corporations on tax strategies and implications of business transactions, or counsel individuals on matters such as legal wills and estate planning.
Other Areas: in addition to the practice areas list above, there are many other fields of specialization in the legal profession (antitrust law, entertainment law, health law, municipal law, sports law, etc.).
Other Career Opportunities
The skills required for a career in law can also be successfully employed in other professions. Law school education is very versatile and some students decide to pursue alternatives careers upon graduation. Even lawyers who have been practicing for several years sometimes transition into other careers.
A law degree can enable entry into many careers outside of the legal profession, including the following:
Broadcasting
Business
Civil Service
Education
Finance
Insurance
Journalism
Policy Analysis
Politics
Publishing
Social Work
I'm sure new ones are being invented everyday...
Good Luck
2007-08-06 04:35:51 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 7⤊ 0⤋
Different Types Of Lawyers
2016-10-05 01:46:39 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi,
In answer to your question, What are the different types of lawyers and what do they do?, I tell you that take a look at this site http://inquirelawyers.com may be it can help you
As you asked; "My parents were both Patent lawyers. If I wanted to go into law, but not tread in their footsteps completely, what are some other options? " I hope it might help you.
Good Luck :)
2014-11-02 09:38:38 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
There are many types since everything seems to be a specialty. Why don't you talk with lawyers in different areas to see what appeal to you?
2007-08-06 04:36:07 · answer #4 · answered by Simmi 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lawyers are individuals who provide legal advocacy or counsel to people requiring assistance with criminal, civil or corporate law. There are different types of lawyer like real estate lawyer, criminal lawyer, divorce lawyer and more. You can select best option for yourself. which type of degree you had get. I agree with bobby b,
Thanks
2014-03-05 23:44:39 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are literally dozens of types of lawyers. Real estate, family, criminal, probate, entertainment, corporate, civil, you name it, there's a lawyer for it.
2007-08-06 04:32:31 · answer #6 · answered by KitKat 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
well there are two types of lawyers firstly there is the kind that screw people and the second type are the ones that ohh there is only one type of lawyer .....sorry
2007-08-06 04:32:33 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
Maybe, yeah
2016-07-30 00:50:06 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
very interesting question
2016-08-24 11:10:38 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋