Lawyers - The Most Common Specialties and What They Can Do

There are nearly as many fields and sub-fields of law as there are legal practitioners! While there are new fields emerging every day, here are some of the most common types of attorneys and a brief description of the kind of work they do.

Personal Injury Lawyers. These legal professionals are the ones we call when we've been in an accident and have been injured. If your injury was caused by someone else's negligence, they can help you get the settlement that you deserve.

Bankruptcy Lawyers. A bankruptcy lawyer helps you when you can no longer pay your creditors. Bankruptcy is the financial end of the road for those who can no longer pay their debts. While it is an option that will wipe the slate clean, it also has its disadvantages. There are several different types of bankruptcy filings that have their benefits. A skilled attorney is always needed when you decide to file.

Tax Lawyers. Many people hire a lawyer during the tax season to help them navigate the complex federal and state tax system. This is especially useful for those who have lots of property, assets and liabilities. In other words, hiring an attorney is great for those who have more than just a W-2 to file.

Business Lawyers. These attorneys perform a variety of tasks for both large and small businesses. This could be anything from helping a business start and incorporate itself to managing partnerships, joint ventures, ownership issues and anything else of a legal nature that a company would need done.

Criminal Defense. If you are charged with any type of criminal charge, you need a criminal defense lawyer. These are the attorneys we most often see in film and television, defending someone who has been charged with a crime. In real life, they're also likely to handle misdemeanors such as DUI, controlled substances, disorderly conduct or traffic violations. They are handy to have on hand whenever dealing with the police.

Divorce. When there is a divorce case, there are many factors that go into deciding who gets what. This includes possessions as well as custody of children. A divorce lawyer is used to mediate between the two parties to make sure that they both get the fairest deal possible.

Workers Compensation Lawyer. Workers compensation cases are handled by professionals in this field. These include cases where you have been injured in the workplace. Few people realize that workplace injuries can have serious permanent effects on your physical health. These professionals help those injured at work get their claims settled.

The above list is just the tip of the iceberg. You can find legal professionals working in just about any area of the law, including specialties like "lemon law" (protecting people who have bought defective vehicles) and e-commerce law. Within their fields, lawyers often specialize in a certain field of law. For example, a criminal defense attorney might specialize in DUIs, or a business attorney may be an expert at environmental law. When you're looking for one, be sure to search for a legal professional with a background in the area you need.