Once you’ve reached the final year of law school, it must be worrying to think about what kind of law to practice once you graduate and pass the bar exam. It is great to narrow down a few fields of law for which you think you would be best suited. With the job trends shifting quite a lot, a job in the field of law will always be a good decision considering lawyers are essential for a multitude of reasons. No big business signs a huge contract without showing it to their lawyer before, just as how one gets their contracts made from lawyers in the first place. Lawyers are essential solely due to the reason that they help each and every single person to receive legal justice and to be treated equally in the eyes of the law. They are advocates for the public and represent both individuals and collective entities in civil trials as well.
It is quite important to understand which field of law you would be best at. In order to determine this, you need to be aware of all the possible career paths available to you so that you can make an informed decision for your future.
Environmental law
Environmental law is a collective term that encompasses various aspects of the law pertaining to the environment. There are a lot of regulations, laws, and agreements that are put in place to govern the way humans interact with their environment. These laws are put in place to protect the environment and the natural resources that the Earth provides us with. There is a multitude of protections in place that have the shared goal of protecting the environment. It is important to note that it doesn’t only deal with a government law, but also with regulatory frameworks of businesses that work towards enhancing their ethical principles by setting certain industry standards. Working in environmental law is quite a rewarding experience and you can work with the government, private firms, and even in academia.
Corporate law
Business law or corporate law is the body of law that refers to the legal practice relating to corporations. A corporate lawyer is responsible for handling certain business transactions which include negotiation for their company, drafting contracts as well as reviewing them, and even counseling a few clients on legal matters. Important matters such as acquisitions or mergers are also handled by them. This is one of the highest paying fields of law. These lawyers are expected to be well versed in tax law, intellectual property rights, contract law, bankruptcy, and a few others that can affect any business.
Civil rights law
Civil rights laws are laws regarding the guarantees of equal social opportunities as well as equal protection offered to each and every citizen regardless of caste, race, color, gender, or any personal beliefs. Civil rights lawyers are expected to protect this freedom given to citizens and work at the forefront in order to give legal aid and counseling to victims of human rights violations. They are eligible to work in Supreme Courts, Circuit Courts, private practice, NGOs, etc. If you are passionate about justice for a certain group, minority, or issue, civil rights law might be a good fit for you.
Personal injury law
Though not an extremely specific sub-field, personal injury law refers to civil lawsuits that involve defenses and legal remedies due to wrongful conduct. The doctrine of negligence is the basis for most personal injury cases, that is, every human needs to avoid putting others at risk and act responsibly. This pertains to cases involving drunk drivers, medical malpractice, car accidents, wrongful death, defective products, dog attacks, and even sexual assault. Medical insurance is usually involved in such personal injury cases. When searching for medical insurance, Jeffrey Preszler with Preszler Law says your family’s medical history can impact your monthly rates and premiums. If medical malpractice is involved in a case, lawyers will work directly with hospital attorneys and insurance companies. In other cases, the insurance company of the person responsible for afflicting harm on you pays the cost of medical expenses.
They are required to gather evidence, interview their clients, defend them in court, and to negotiate with insurance companies.
Criminal law
Criminal law relates to illegal activities and criminal offenses. This law is concerned with the punishment or conviction of an individual who has committed a crime. It involves dealing with cases pertaining to assault, theft, robbery, narcotics, murder, intent to murder, etc. A criminal lawyer represents their client in a criminal court system. They are expected to conduct extensive research, analyze previous cases and crime codes, build up a good defense strategy for their client, and even argue for appeals. They earn high salaries and are expected to have strong interpersonal skills, debating skills, communication, legal knowledge, and analytical skills.
Family law
Family law pertains to issues involving relationships in families such as divorce, custody of a child, and even adoption. Attorneys practicing family law can specialize in adoption, emancipation, or paternity but can also practice as a general family lawyer. You may also need to consult with a child custody lawyer if you have issues relating to the custody of a child.
They are responsible for representing their clients in family court proceedings and for drafting certain essential legal documents such as property agreements. Issues such as reproductive rights and foster care also fall under the broad practice of family law. They are paid quite well and can work as an individual as well as with a big firm.
Tax law
Tax law or revenue law refers to certain laws put in place by the government. Every individual and corporation is directly taxable by the government. Tax lawyers have the responsibility of advising individuals, government agencies, and businesses about tax laws and disputes. They are required to have extensive knowledge about tax laws and stay up-to-date with changing regulations in order to advise their clients correctly. They help a business strategize according to tax laws that are put in place. Tax evasion is quite a terrible thing and it can benefit corporations to keep a tax lawyer in order to keep things running smoothly.
A career as a lawyer can be quite a rewarding experience. It takes a lot of years of dedication and hard work to be able to reach a place where you can practice law. It is important to be aware of the different subspecialties of the law so that you can find the best fit for you.