You may have lawyers as friends, but once you have a case, they become your hope. Unfortunately, many people think any lawyer can handle all cases.
This is why it is common to approach your lawyer-friend or family to represent you whenever you have a case.
There are different types of lawyers, and even though they are all called to the bar, there are specialties in the law.
This, however, does not stop any attorney from representing a client in court. The downside is that a lawyer with lesser knowledge in a field will do more harm to your case than help.
According to iLawyerUp (https://www.ilawyerup.com/), a law firm with different types of lawyers and attorneys, your choice of legal counsel will play a significant role in the outcome of your case.
Difference between a lawyer and an attorney
The terms lawyer and attorney have been used interchangeably to the extent that their difference is blurrier than ever.
A lawyer is a graduate of law who has passed the bar exam but may not be licensed to practice law.
An attorney, on the other hand, is a lawyer who has all the required licenses to practice.
Every state regulates the practice of law within its sovereignty. Only lawyers who are licensed within it can be considered attorneys.
A lawyer can offer you legal advice but is not authorized to represent you in a court of law. You need an attorney to defend or fight for you in the courtroom.
However, in general terms, a lawyer is used to refer to anyone practicing law.
Types of lawyers
There are different types of lawyers such that a definite number is impossible. Every year, the list gets longer depending on trends.
For instance, years ago, internet lawyers and FinTech lawyers were nonexistent. However, by their name, you can deduce the kind of cases they would be great at handling.
- Negligent Security Lawyer
- Cruise Accident Lawyer
- Slip, Trip, & Fall Lawyer
- Bankruptcy Lawyer
- Workers Compensation Lawyer
- Wrongful Death Lawyer
- Tax Lawyer
- Constitutional Lawyer
- Family Lawyer
- Estate Planning Lawyer
- Personal Injury Lawyer
- Rideshare Accidents lawyer
- Intellectual Property Lawyer
- Entertainment Lawyer
- Medical Malpractice Lawyer
- Contract Lawyer
- Social-Security Disability Lawyer
- Military Lawyer
- Mergers and Acquisitions Lawyer
- Environmental Lawyer
- Property Lawyer
- Toxic Tort Lawyer
- Video Game Lawyer
- Public-Interest Lawyer
- Digital Media and Internet Lawyer
- Finance and Securities Lawyer
- Civil Rights Lawyer
- Civil Litigation Lawyer
- Family Lawyer
- Criminal Defense Lawyer
- Health Care Lawyer
- Technology Lawyer
- Privacy Lawyer
- Startup Lawyer
- Employment Lawyer
- Social Security Disability Lawyer
- General Practice Lawyer
- Work-Related Accidents Lawyer
How to choose the best lawyer for your case
Lawyers’ service is not free; therefore, hiring the best for your case is important. Below are some tips to achieve that.
Area of expertise
You need to understand the nature of your case before hiring a lawyer. Some lawyers’ expertise might appear broad, but it is important to hire someone knowledgeable and with practical experience in similar cases to yours.
For example, if you’re experiencing wage theft, discrimination, or harassment in the workplace, an employment lawyer sounds like the perfect match. However, if you know that many coworkers are facing the same situation and are planning to take legal action against your employer, it would be essential to hire an attorney with experience in class action employment lawsuits, such as the lawyers at the Kingsley Kingsley law firm.
Budget
Set a budget for the case. Sometimes, expensive lawyer service does not equate to quality. Be certain you are getting the best service for your budget.
Research attorneys in your area, and whenever you schedule an appointment with any, be upfront about your budget.
Do not hesitate to ask for the total cost of their service, and if you would be using them, make sure the agreed amount is included in the contract.
Law firm
Depending on the nature of your case, law firms with many lawyers can efficiently handle a complex case compared to a single lawyer.
They employ paralegals to handle tasks like photocopying and typing while their lawyers focus mainly on the case.
Most of these firms have different lawyers specializing in different fields. Hiring them is like paying the price of one for many.
Communication
You must feel safe and open while talking with your lawyer. If you find it difficult to communicate with your legal counsel, then you may need to shop for another one.
Your attorney should also be reachable whenever you need to pass a piece of information across.
This means the law firm should have a number or email address you can use to communicate, and responses should not take forever.
Reputation and testimonial
Every lawyer has a reputation. One such is the success rate. A law firm that boasts about its success rate will surely want to go all out to win your case.
Entrust your case with a lawyer who is genuinely interested in your case and not your money.
One way to find out about how a lawyer or law firm treats its clients is by reading testimonials about them.
