Exploring Different Types of Lawyers

Navigating the legal world can be complicated if you're not well-acquainted with its many avenues. Not all lawyers are on the same path. Choosing a specialization is often a task met with both excitement and apprehension.

We're here to help you understand the most common types of lawyers and guide you in selecting a legal career that resonates with your interests and aspirations.

Most Common Types of Lawyers

Navigating the complexities of legal terms and courtroom procedures, lawyers are the champions of justice, advisors in complicated matters, and negotiators of sophisticated deals. The legal field is broad, with different types of law based on specific needs. From fighting for clients’ rights to helping clients plan for the future, lawyers come in many forms.

Here are some of the most common types of lawyers and details on what they do so you can decide what type of attorney you want to be.

Litigation Lawyers

Litigation attorneys are the professionals you would typically see in a courtroom setting, arguing cases and presenting evidence. They are also called trial lawyers, and often specialize in either civil or criminal litigation. Civil litigators handle a wide range of cases like contractual issues or class-action lawsuits, whereas criminal litigators deal with criminal law issues. It's a high-stress job but equally rewarding for those who thrive in a dynamic setting.

• Civil Litigation Attorneys: Deal with civil lawsuits like breach of contract, employment issues, and more.
• Contract Lawyers: Specialize in contract drafting, negotiation, and dispute resolution.
• Employment Lawyers: Handle cases related to workplace issues, such as wrongful termination or labor disputes.
• Criminal Litigation Lawyers: Handle criminal cases, from minor offenses to felonies.
• Public Defenders: Provide legal representation to people who can't afford a private criminal defense lawyer.
• Criminal Defense Lawyers: Specialize in defending clients facing criminal charges, often privately retained.

Criminal Lawyers

If you have a passion for justice, becoming a criminal lawyer could be a perfect fit. These lawyers work to defend or prosecute individuals facing criminal charges. Their work often involves in-depth investigations, trial preparation, and passionate arguments before a court.

• Prosecutors: These government lawyers on behalf of the state or federal government to prove the guilt of the accused.
• Criminal Defense Attorneys: Defend those accused of committing crimes.
• Public Defenders: Offer legal representation to those unable to afford a private defense.
• Criminal Defense Lawyers: Typically specialize in types of criminal cases, such as DUIs, theft, or violent crimes.

Estate Planning Lawyers

Estate planning might not seem like the most glamorous area of law, but it's a vital one. These lawyers help individuals plan for their financial future, including what happens after they pass away. They assist in creating wills, trusts, and other financial planning documents.

• Wills and Trusts Lawyers: These estate planning attorneys assist in creating essential documents to manage your assets after your passing.
• Tax Lawyers: Specialize in the complexities of estate taxes and how to minimize the burden on heirs.

Personal Injury Lawyers

Personal injury lawyers work with individuals who have suffered physical or psychological injuries due to accidents or negligence. The goal of personal injury law is often to seek compensation for their client’s pain, suffering, and expenses.

• Personal Injury Attorney: Represents clients in court to seek compensation for injuries.
• Workers’ Compensation Lawyers: Specialize in cases where an injury occurred in the workplace.

Corporate Lawyers

Corporate attorneys find their niche in the business world, helping corporations with business issues such as mergers, acquisitions, internal policies, corporate disputes, and compliance issues. It’s an ideal role for those who have an interest in both law and business.

• Mergers and Acquisitions Lawyers: Specialize in the buying, selling, and merging of companies.
• Business Lawyers: Often serve as in house legal counsel for specific businesses, handling legal matters internal to a corporation, like employment contracts, compliance, and policy issues.
• Intellectual Property Lawyers: Deal with patents, copyrights, and trademarks.

Family Lawyers

Family lawyers handle cases involving family dynamics that require legal action, like custody, divorce, adoption, and domestic abuse. They work to negotiate fair terms and strive to represent their clients’ best interests in matters close to the heart.

• Child Custody Lawyers: Help parents negotiate custody arrangements.
• Prenuptial Agreements Lawyers: Assist couples in drafting agreements that dictate the division of assets in case of divorce.
• Divorce Lawyers: specialize in helping individuals navigate the emotional and legal complexities of ending a marriage.

Civil Rights Lawyers

When individual liberties and civil liberties are at risk, civil rights attorneys are called to step in and defend their clients’ rights. These lawyers fight for equal treatment under the law. Civil rights lawyers focus on topics such as discrimination, free expression, and other constitutional rights.

• Specializations: Discrimination cases, voting rights, LGBTQIA+ rights, disability rights, First Amendment issues.
• What They Do: Civil rights attorneys represent clients in cases involving violations of constitutional rights, negotiate settlements, engage in advocacy and education, and litigate against governmental bodies or organizations infringing on civil rights.

Immigration Lawyers

Immigration lawyers play a vital role in advising and representing clients on immigration issues. These issues include visa applications, naturalization, and other immigration matters.

• Visa Lawyers: Advise on the best visa types and application strategies.
• Naturalization Lawyers: Assist people in becoming citizens of a new country.
• Green Card Lawyers: Specialize in immigration laws and helping clients get green cards for permanent residency.

Bankruptcy Lawyers

When individuals or businesses are drowning in debt, bankruptcy attorneys come to the rescue by counseling them through eligibility for bankruptcy. These attorneys guide clients through the complicated process of filing for bankruptcy, helping them make sense of various legal options and obligations.

• Specializations: Personal bankruptcy, corporate bankruptcy, debt restructuring, insolvency counseling.
• What They Do: Assist in filing Chapter 7, 11, or 13 bankruptcies, represent clients in court, negotiate with creditors.

Real Estate Lawyers

Whether you're buying a home or commercial property, real estate attorneys are essential. These attorneys specialize in ensuring that real estate transactions are legal, binding, and in the client's best interests.

• Specializations: Residential real estate, commercial real estate, property disputes, land use and zoning.
• What They Do: Review contracts, handle closings, negotiate leases, and assist in dispute resolution.

How To Decide What Type of Lawyer You Want to Be

Choosing your legal specialization is a crucial step in your career. Consider your interests, the skills you excel in, and what makes you feel fulfilled. Do you enjoy the thrill of the courtroom, or do you find satisfaction in helping a family secure their future? Evaluate your options carefully to find your fit.

Assess Your Interests

What are you passionate about? If you find yourself engrossed in social issues, becoming a civil rights or immigration lawyer would make sense. On the flip side, if you have strong business knowledge, corporate or intellectual property law could be a better fit. Passion often translates into work satisfaction and a more fulfilling career.

Know Your Strengths

Are you a great negotiator, or does the idea of piecing together a logical argument excite you? Your unique skills can steer you toward a particular legal specialization. For example, if you're good at resolving conflicts, mediation or family law might be a natural fit. On the other hand, if you excel at detailed research and like combing through records and evidence, perhaps a career as an employment or labor lawyer could be rewarding.

Consider Lifestyle and Work-Life Balance

Different legal careers come with different demands. Personal injury attorneys often find themselves on call at all hours. Meanwhile, tax lawyers might have a 9-to-5 schedule. What kind of work-life balance do you want? Consider the type of law firm where you'd like to work and what demands it will require on your personal life. Your choice of specialization can have a significant impact on your lifestyle.

Gauge Earning Potential

Income is an important consideration, too. Private attorneys and corporate lawyers have higher average salaries than other types of lawyers, while public defenders might earn less but find their work more emotionally rewarding. It's essential to find a balance between earning potential and job satisfaction.

Consult Professionals in the Field

Talk to people already in the legal field about their experiences, both positive and negative. Whether it's a seasoned personal injury attorney, or a friend who recently graduated from law school, these insights can offer you a practical perspective on what life in a particular specialization is like.

Consider the Education and Training

Some specializations require more advanced training or certification than others. For instance, to become a tax lawyer, you'll likely need to gain additional tax law certifications on top of your JD. Be aware of what educational commitments you’re willing to undertake.

Once you’ve sifted through all these factors, weigh them against each other. It’s rare for any specialization to tick all the boxes, but the one that checks the most is likely where you’ll find both success and satisfaction. Remember, choosing a specialization isn't just a career decision; it’s a life decision.

Choosing The Right Master of Laws Degree

Making the decision to pursue a Master of Laws (LLM) can open doors to specialized legal careers that align with your interests. Pepperdine University’s Caruso School of Law offers an array of LLM programs, each designed to prepare you for unique challenges in the legal field. Here’s a breakdown to help you pick the program that best suits your career aspirations.

LLM in Dispute Resolution

If you're interested in tackling legal issues without necessarily stepping into a courtroom, this could be ideal for you. The focus here is on being a problem solver through negotiation, mediation, and arbitration.

• Who It’s For: Anyone interested in becoming a mediator or negotiator.
• Legal Specialty: Alternative dispute resolution methods.

LLM in International Commercial Arbitration (ICA)

Global business brings a multitude of opportunities, but it also introduces the risk of cross-border disputes. This program teaches you how to manage such conflicts by adhering to internationally recognized rules and techniques.

• Who It’s For: Those aiming to work in international trade or deal with multinational corporations.
• Legal Specialty: International arbitration in the context of business.

LLM in International Commercial Law and Arbitration (ICLA)

Navigating international business contracts and resolving arising disputes are the core skills taught in this program. It equips you for handling complex contracts while also being proficient in dispute resolution.

• Who It’s For: Lawyers or law graduates who want to develop a niche in both international business contracts and dispute management.
• Legal Specialty: Combines international business law with dispute resolution.

LLM in International Commercial Law and Dispute Resolution (ICLDR)

This program is designed for tackling legal issues that cross borders. It’s about mastering the landscape of international commercial law while having the skills to resolve any related disputes.

• Who It’s For: Those aiming to specialize in cross-border commercial transactions and dispute resolution.
• Legal Specialty: International commercial law with a focus on resolving disputes.

LLM in United States Law and Dispute Resolution (USLDR)

If you're looking to practice law within the U.S., this program offers a thorough understanding of U.S. law, along with a focus on dispute resolution techniques.

• Who It’s For: International lawyers or law graduates looking to familiarize themselves with U.S. legal systems while mastering dispute resolution.
• Legal Specialty: Comprehensive U.S. law, combined with alternative dispute resolution methods.

LLM in Entertainment, Media, and Sports Law (EMS)

For those intrigued by the entertainment, media, and sports industries, this program provides an in-depth understanding of the associated legal landscape, from contracts to intellectual property rights.

• Who It’s For: Lawyers or legal aspirants aiming to break into the entertainment, media, or sports sectors.
• Legal Specialty: Entertainment, media, and sports law, with a strong emphasis on contracts and intellectual property rights.

Selecting the right LLM program can be a defining moment in your legal career. Consider your interests, the specific legal issues you're keen to address, and the type of lawyer you want to become. Each LLM program at Pepperdine offers specialized skills and knowledge that can give you an edge in your chosen legal specialty.

Explore Your Opportunities at Pepperdine University Caruso School of Law

Pepperdine University has made a significant impact in the world of legal education. Pepperdine offers students like you a unique blend of academic rigor and Christian values. Whether you're a seasoned attorney wishing to specialize or a fresh graduate ready to launch your career, Pepperdine University's Caruso School of Law can help. Dive into the exciting world of legal career options and explore what Pepperdine has to offer you.

Ready to take the next step in your education? Reach out to Pepperdine University’s Caruso School of Law and explore the endless opportunities that await you.