Law degrees are versatile and earning one opens doors to numerous career paths. Because United States law is so complex and diverse, lawyers may generalize their practice to attract a greater client base, while others may specialize in a particular area. In fact, one of the benefits of earning a law degree is that you can pivot between areas of law, given that you are willing to learn and become competent in your new specialty.3,4
Keep in mind that if you decide to specialize, you may need to attain additional certification through an ABA-accredited organization or board.3
There are several law careers you might pursue. If you intend to become a lawyer, you’ll need to earn a baccalaureate degree, followed by a Juris Doctor (JD) from law school. You’ll also need to pass the Bar exam (based on individual state requirements).5
Many lawyers who work in criminal law decide to focus on criminal defense. An individual who violates a law meant to uphold public order and safety, such as laws against robbery or assault, violates criminal law.6 Defense lawyers are responsible for protecting the legal rights of their clients accused of violating one or more criminal laws. On any given day, a criminal defense attorney may fulfill the following job duties:
- Meet with a new client at the local jail to discuss the client’s case
- Argue in favor of bail at a bail hearing
- Negotiate for a plea bargain (i.e., lenient sentencing or a reduction of charges in exchange for a guilty plea)
- Prepare a pending case for trial
- Conduct legal research and draft legal documents
Some defense attorneys may focus their practice on one or two types of cases, such as juvenile defense or violent crimes. Others handle a diverse range of cases, from DUI to domestic violence to white-collar crime. Many defense attorneys work in private practice, while others are public defenders, representing clients who cannot afford to hire an attorney.
If the thought of working with criminal cases appeals to you, but you are reluctant to represent people who may be guilty of a crime, you may find fulfillment as a prosecutor instead. Like public defenders, prosecutors are civil servants. However, instead of defending the accused, they strive for a conviction.
Prosecuting attorneys represent the local, state or federal government in criminal court. Their tasks overlap with those of defense attorneys and may include the following:
- Interviewing witnesses and victims
- Reviewing police reports and evidence
- Meeting with defense attorneys to discuss plea bargains
- Preparing and researching to prosecute a case in criminal court
Like defense attorneys, prosecutors must have strong communication skills. They must also excel at research and problem-solving.5
Family law involves the legal aspects of familial relationships. Unlike defense attorneys and criminal prosecutors, family lawyers work with civil law. Civil law defines the legal rights and relationships between individuals and businesses rather than among society.6Family lawyers may work on any of the following types of cases and issues:
- Pre- and postnuptial agreements
- Divorce
- Child support and custody
- Spousal support
- Adoption
- Paternity
- Emancipation
In addition, some family lawyers work on juvenile delinquency and guardianship cases. These attorneys may conduct mediation sessions to resolve matters outside of court. They also prepare cases for litigation in court, keeping their client’s best interests in mind.
Another major aspect of this line of work is counseling clients. For example, family lawyers may advise clients going through a divorce and trying to obtain child custody to refrain from actions that may negatively influence the judge’s perception of the client, such as sending text messages, posting anything on social media or acting disrespectfully in the courtroom.
Personal injury law falls under civil law. Such cases are litigated in civil court systems.
Personal injury lawyers represent individuals who have been harmed by another person’s negligent or intentional actions. They sue liable parties (the defendants) to recover damages or compensation on behalf of their clients (the plaintiffs). Other personal injury lawyers represent defendants.
Some types of cases handled by personal injury lawyers include the following:
- Nursing home negligence
- Slip and fall
- Defamation
- Wrongful death
- Dog bite
Personal injury lawyers often settle cases out of court. They negotiate with the other party and consult with their clients to negotiate a settlement agreement. A settlement agreement is an arrangement to drop a case in exchange for a payment made from the defendant to the plaintiff.
Unlike many other lawyers, personal injury lawyers often do not charge an hourly rate. Instead, they are usually paid on a contingency basis. This means that if they lose a case, they earn nothing for working on it. Instead, when they win a case or successfully negotiate a settlement, they earn a fee taken from the settlement or jury award.
Labor law involves the many legal aspects of employment — specifically, the legal relationships between companies and workers. A labor lawyer, or employment lawyer, represents either employers or current or former employees.
Some responsibilities of labor attorneys may include:
- Assisting client companies in limiting liability to avoid lawsuits and labor law violations
- Drafting employment contracts and employment policies for their clients
- Protecting client employees’ workplace rights against discrimination, wrongful termination or harassment
- Reviewing employment contracts before a client employee signs them
Corporate law governs the conduct and relations of businesses and organizations. It involves laws about the obligations and rights of people who manage or run a corporation. This kind of law helps corporations operate efficiently and with integrity. It promotes reliability and trust in the interactions among people and corporations.
There is some overlap between corporate and labor lawyers. But the difference is that corporate lawyers focus on legal actions like contract writing/reviews, mergers, regulatory compliance and other business operations processes, whereas labor lawyers focus on worker and company rights regarding labor laws.
Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare professional, such as a doctor, causes injury to a patient through acts of negligence. For a situation to qualify as medical malpractice, it must meet each of the following criteria:
- There was a negligence in duty of care (e.g., a doctor-patient relationship, which means the doctor owed a duty of care to the patient)
- There was a breach in the widely accepted standard of care, which caused injury to the patient
- An injury resulted in economic and non-economic damages (losses)
Some common examples of medical malpractice that can result in a lawsuit include:
- Failure to diagnose or misdiagnosis
- Misreading or ignoring laboratory results
- Surgical errors or surgery on the wrong site
- Improper medication or dosage administration
- Poor follow-up or aftercare
The effects of medical malpractice on patients’ lives can include physical disabilities and mental distress. The damage done can cause great financial repercussions. Medical malpractice lawyers are important in helping injured patients recover the compensation they need to move forward.
Many lawyers spend more time working with documents and contracts than on court proceedings, including real estate and property lawyers. A real estate lawyer handles all types of legal matters pertaining to real property, including residential and commercial properties.
Some of the typical duties of a real estate lawyer include:
- Performing a title search
- Identifying unpaid loans, liens or other claims against the property
- Reviewing, drafting and negotiating real estate contracts
- Preparing documents, including the deed and disclosures
- Providing guidance to clients considering buying or selling real property
Immigration lawyers guide individuals, families and businesses in navigating the immigration process. They represent clients in immigration courts and assist clients with all types of immigration-related matters, such as:
- Green card petitions
- Visa applications
- Asylum and refugee claims
- Deportation defense
- Employment-based immigration
Immigration law can be complex and difficult to navigate, but an immigration lawyer can help clients by educating them about their rights and protecting their best interests.
An intellectual property lawyer is responsible for protecting intellectual property ownership rights. Intellectual property refers to any type of creative output, such as art, books, designs, computer code, logos, brand names and others. These lawyers deal with the following main areas of intellectual property law:
- Patents
- Copyrights
- Trademarks
- Licenses
- Trade secrets
- Unfair competition
Like other lawyers, an intellectual property lawyer may advise clients, represent them in court, review and draft legal documents and file lawsuits.
