What is a Lawyer?
A lawyer is someone who is licensed to practice law, and whose obligation it is to uphold the law while also protecting their client's rights. Some duties commonly associated with a lawyer include: providing legal advice and counsel, researching and gathering information or evidence, drawing up legal documents related to divorces, wills, contracts and real estate transactions, and prosecuting or defending in court.
A lawyer is someone who is licensed to practice law, and whose obligation it is to uphold the law while also protecting their client's rights. Some duties commonly associated with a lawyer include: providing legal advice and counsel, researching and gathering information or evidence, drawing up legal documents related to divorces, wills, contracts and real estate transactions, and prosecuting or defending in court.
The exact terminology for the word "lawyer" varies throughout the world. Attorney, counsel, barrister or solicitor are all various names given to lawyers. The origin of the profession dates back to ancient Greece, when orators spoke on behalf of friends or citizens at their request. Although they acted as legal counsel, according to Athenian law, orators could not be paid for their services, nor could they organize themselves as a legal profession. The earliest lawyers in ancient Rome, around 204 BC, received payment for their services when Emperor Claudius legalized the profession and lifted the ban on fees.
What does a Lawyer do?
A lawyer has many responsibilities which go beyond the basic court trial. Researching information, drafting documents, mediating disputes and providing counsel to clients about their legal rights are just some tasks involved depending on your area of interest.
Types of Lawyers:
Divorce Lawyer
- Focuses on the legal matters of divorce and the dissolution of marriage
Immigration Lawyer
- Determines the legal rights, duties and obligations of a person deemed an alien and aids an individual in gaining legal citizenship within a specific country
Accident and Personal Injury Lawyer
- Usually involves civil law cases that focus on injury to body, mind or emotions and compensation for the injuries sustained in the accident
Business and Corporate Lawyer
- Focuses on contracts, sales, commercial paper, agency and employment law, business organizations and property and bailment
Family Lawyer
- Deals with family related issues that arise during marriage, civil unions and domestic partnerships that include spousal abuse, legitimacy, adoption, surrogacy, child abuse and child abduction
Criminal Lawyer
- Focuses on crimes and their punishments
Bankruptcy Lawyer
- Focuses on individuals or organizations that make legal declarations stating their inability to pay their creditors
Employment Lawyer
- Governs the employer-employee relationship which includes contracts, regulations, bargaining agreements, protection against discrimination, wages and hours, health and safety, and severance negotiations
Types of Lawyers:
Divorce Lawyer
- Focuses on the legal matters of divorce and the dissolution of marriage
Immigration Lawyer
- Determines the legal rights, duties and obligations of a person deemed an alien and aids an individual in gaining legal citizenship within a specific country
Accident and Personal Injury Lawyer
- Usually involves civil law cases that focus on injury to body, mind or emotions and compensation for the injuries sustained in the accident
Business and Corporate Lawyer
- Focuses on contracts, sales, commercial paper, agency and employment law, business organizations and property and bailment
Family Lawyer
- Deals with family related issues that arise during marriage, civil unions and domestic partnerships that include spousal abuse, legitimacy, adoption, surrogacy, child abuse and child abduction
Criminal Lawyer
- Focuses on crimes and their punishments
Bankruptcy Lawyer
- Focuses on individuals or organizations that make legal declarations stating their inability to pay their creditors
Employment Lawyer
- Governs the employer-employee relationship which includes contracts, regulations, bargaining agreements, protection against discrimination, wages and hours, health and safety, and severance negotiations
What is the workplace of a Lawyer like?
A lawyer can work in a law firm, private company, or even work for state as a public defender or for the prosecution. Most attorneys work 50-80 hours per week, including weekends. The newly hired attorneys usually serve as clerks in charge of researching information and aiding in preparation for upcoming trials.
How does one decide what type of lawyer to become?
It would be a good idea to ask yourself a few questions when considering what type of lawyer to become:
- What attracts you to being a lawyer?
- What motivates you to make it your career?
- Who do you see yourself representing?
- What type of impact do you want to have in the world?
- What types of situations do you see yourself wanting to be engaged in?
- What type of lifestyle do you see yourself having in your profession?
- What do the job prospects look like for the type of law you may be considering?
- What classes do you enjoy the most in law school?
What makes a great lawyer?
Great lawyers have invested much time and effort in understanding people, building relationships, and in being great leaders. They have great communication skills (both written and verbal), a high level of intelligence, excellent analytical skills, and excellent advocacy skills. They have a passion for their particular specialty, a high level of commitment to their work and to their client, and are an expert in their field. They also understand their client's objectives, and advocate on that basis; not just on the basis of the law itself.
What are the negative aspects of being a lawyer?
A career in law can be demanding and stressful. A few common complaints from legal professionals are: long hours, court deadlines, billing pressures, changing laws, high-pressure deals, and difficult clients. If you throw in rising business pressures, continually evolving legal technologies, and climbing law school debt, it's easy to see why lawyers are sometimes stressed.