Among the different types of lawyers, those handling bankruptcies are in constant demand. This is because of the large number of active bankruptcies taking place in the United States at any given time. When all types of bankruptcies are included, this figure averages around three-quarters of a million annually.
Different bankruptcy procedures are available in the United States, and the complexities of these laws necessitate legal assistance by anyone in the midst of a financial crisis. The two most common forms of personal bankruptcy are Chapter 7 and Chapter 13. Those who file for a Chapter 7 bankruptcy can expect to lose most of their possessions, including certain properties. This method can be useful for those with limited personal income. The advantage of Chapter 13 over Chapter 7 is that those filing can maintain their properties. The debt will then be paid off over a period of time, which can be up to five years.
A lawyer from a bankruptcy firm should be sought to determine which method is best in a particular case. An attorney can also be helpful in determining whether the bankruptcy route is appropriate, since those in debt may have other options.
If you are focused on a law career you may be wondering about the different types of lawyers you can be or you may not even know about the different types of lawyers y9ou can be. Like doctors and other professionals lawyers typically specialize in a specific area of law.
There are currently over 1.3 million lawyers in the US, and all of them have a specific area of practice. Learning more about the different types of lawyers you can be and how to build the practice that you want should be something you are considering from the minute you apply to law school.
Lawyer, Attorney, Esquire What is The Difference?
If you are at the beginning of your journey to becoming a lawyer you may have noticed that not only are there different types of lawyers that you can be but there are also different types of labels associated with being a lawyer. What is the difference between an attorney, a lawyer, and a legal professional that identifies as an Esquire?
The difference is really just semantics. It largely depends on what the legal professional chooses to identify as, where you live, and the vernacular of your region. The fact is a lawyer is an attorney, and an attorney is a lawyer, an esquire is also a lawyer and an attorney.
In the UK a lawyer is called a barrister, sometimes a lawyer can be called a solicitor. In the states, an attorney at law may also be called a prosecutor. The term Esquire is typically noted as Esq following a lawyers name but is rarely used as a common label for a lawyer.
While each label has a different origination, for example, the word lawyer comes from medieval France, the term barrister comes from the UK, at the end of the day, all of the terms can be used to identify someone that has been admitted to defend or prosecute in a court of law.
What Do Lawyers Do?
Understanding the different lawyers you can be starts with understanding what different lawyers do. Most people think of a lawyer as a defender, and while it is true many lawyers do defend, some lawyers do not.
Many lawyers are court officers that have passed the BAR exam in their state. Whether a family law attorney or a criminal defense attorney, passing the BAR exam is a part of the process to become a lawyer.
Some lawyers are prosecutors, which means they do not defend, they instead uphold the law for the state or the federal government. These types of lawyers have to take the BAR exam as well, but they are not focused on defense.
Bankruptcy lawyers practice consumer protection laws. They study federal tort law, take the BAR exam then practice their specific type of law in the federal bankruptcy courts. They are a sort of defense attorney but for financial issues. They help people and businesses to get a fresh start.
However, not every lawyer practices law in the courtroom, although most can. For example, a corporate lawyer is focused on preparing documents for corporate entities. An estate planning lawyer works with people to plan their estates and protect their interests. While these types of lawyers sometimes do participate in trials, it is not their normal course of business.
The Different Types of Lawyers You Can Be And Help People
Many lawyers make a huge difference in people’s lives. If your goal is to get out there and make a difference then you should consider what the different types of lawyers you can be and how being that type of lawyer can change lives.
Most people do not think of divorce lawyers as having the potential to change people’s lives but they do. Going through a divorce is one of the most vulnerable times for many people. Having a compassionate legal expert on your side during this trying time can make all the difference in the world, and can ensure that you get the fresh start that you deserve.
A family lawyer can be the person that helps a person to ensure that their rights to their children are upheld. A child custody lawyer can be a pivotal person to anyone that is battling for their parental rights. Defending people’s rights is very satisfying for the lawyer that chooses this field.
A personal injury law firm can be instrumental in ensuring that after a car accident the victims are treated fairly and get the compensation that they deserve. From the outside looking in, it may seem like the attorneys that choose this field are only after the money, the reality is if you are the victim you rely heavily on the lawyer’s expertise to protect your rights.
A car accident lawyer is a client’s biggest advocate, and the services are greatly appreciated by the clients. It can positively affect a person’s life in many different ways.
You can make a difference in many ways as a lawyer. A wrongful death lawyer brings justice to a family that is mourning the loss of a loved one. One client at a time you can make a difference.
Lawyers are always helping someone manage some part of their life, sometimes the help is profound and life-changing. For example, a defense lawyer defends a person charged with a crime they did not commit and wins. That can change everything for that client. Other times the effect is not quite as profound but it relieves stress and worry and improves the quality of life, for example, trusts lawyers help people to make arrangements for their financial futures and their families and businesses.
Different Types of Lawyers You Can Be And The Education that You Need
Every lawyer will take a similar path. They will get an undergraduate degree in a wide range of subjects. Many people that are considering the different types of lawyers you can be are concerned about with the education that they should have to get in law school.
Here is a bit of insider information. Many students believe that they need to get a degree in criminal justice to gain entry into law school but the fact is you do not. You can have an undergraduate degree in English, Psychology, Sociology, or any other subject when you apply to law school.
While your major may not matter as much you think some things will matter greatly, including:
- Get good grades. The higher your GPA the better. You got to keep your grades up.
- You will have to take the LSAT to get into law school. You want to be prepared to do well on the LSAT. The higher the score the better.
- Have a good moral character. You do not want to have to explain any bad choices to the entrance committee at law school. The best way to avoid an issue is to make good choices through you’re your undergraduate career.
Law school is a graduate degree program. You are awarded a JD upon completion however, that is not the end of the road. You will have to apply all the knowledge that you learned in law school to the BAR exam to start practicing law.
One of the considerations, when you are applying to law school, is your moral character, and it also is a consideration by the BAR examiners. If you have any misdemeanor charges on your record you will have to explain them. If you have felony convictions you may be barred from becoming a lawyer. It is important that you move through life without getting in trouble if you want to become a lawyer.
Where Do You Get Specialized Training for the Different Types of Lawyers You Can Be?
Some confusion swirls around about where you get the specialized education for the different types of lawyers you can be. For example, a lot of people believe that if you want to become a criminal defense attorney that you go to a law school that specializes in teaching about criminal defense law. The fact is there is no type of law school that offers that narrow type of training.
Every law school offers courses in a wide range of legal subjects. You can choose to major in one area of law, but you will still have to take law classes that are not in your specific field of study. The BAR examination is a general knowledge test about the law. To be able to pass the BAR exam you have to have a liberal arts background in the law. A liberal arts background of the law means you know at least a little something about contract law, domestic law, criminal law, the constitution, and other areas of the law.
You will study how to prepare pleadings and documents, how to write using legal jargon, and how to do the necessary research. You will also learn about things like “case law” “precedents” and more. Like all other types of education beyond an undergraduate degree, you will spend time applying theory in real-world situations. You will do internships, work as a clerk, and take on other positions in the legal field while you are attending law school.
Law school teaches you the basics, it is up to you to get the specific training that you need for your chosen field. How do you do that? You work for a law firm or you take on an unpaid internship so that you can get familiar with how your specific chosen field of law is applied in the real world.
What you learn in law school is enhanced by real-world experience. There is no replacement for being taken under the wing of a lawyer that can show you the ropes.
Preparing to Pass the BAR Exam
You got your undergraduate degree, was admitted into a law school of your choice, and have finally been awarded your JD. What’s your next step? You have to pass the BAR. The BAR exam is mistakenly thought of a licensing exam, it is not. You do not need a license to practice law, but you do need to be admitted to the BAR by your local court or the federal court and the only way to do that is to pass the BAR.
When you apply to take the BAR exam in the state you plan on practicing in, you will have to supply references as to your good moral character. A criminal records check will be done and a background search. You will be given a test date and the testing site to report too. While the testing can vary from state to state, there is one thing that most students agree on. The test is tough. Many people fail at their first attempt.
You can work in the legal field without passing the BAR exam, though it is not very common to work as an attorney without passing the BAR. In this case, you will be strictly used as an advisor. You cannot be an injury lawyer but there are other things you can do. For example, you can work in the insurance industry as an advisor with a JD without passing the BAR.
Most law students will take the BAR exam to open up their career possibilities. You cannot defend anyone in the court or be admitted to the BAR in your district without passing the BAR exam.
Prepping as much as you can may help you to do better. There are courses that you can take that are designed to help prepare you to take the BAR exam. Most states will only allow you to take the test once every six months. Before you schedule your BAR exam make sure you are ready as you can be.
Passing the BAR does not denote what type of lawyer you are. In other words, the different types of lawyers you can be have little to do with the BAR exam. The BAR exam gives you the power to practice law, but does not determine which type of law you can practice. The test itself does not decide which of the different types of lawyers you can be, that is all up to you.
