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What is an Attorney?
An attorney is a legal representative. They can speak for you (the client) in legal matters -- in court, writing a contract, or even just giving legal advice.
An attorney at law must be licensed to practice law by the highest court of a state or other jurisdiction. Once admitted to practice by the highest court of a state, an attorney may file legal pleadings and argue cases in any state court, provide legal advice to clients, and draft important legal documents such as wills, trusts, deeds, and contracts.
What types of law do Attorneys practice?
The field of law is as broad as society. Many attorneys will limit their practices to specialized fields like criminal law, family law, real estate or personal injury. Some states forbid or discourage claims of specialization unless the lawyer has been certified in those areas by their state bar. Some states like California and Texas even offer formal certifications for areas of specialization. However, the vast majority of lawyers practicing in a particular field may typically not be certified as specialists in that field (and state board certification is not generally required to practice law in any field).
Here's a simplified view of what types of Attorneys are out there:
- Plaintiff and Defense Attorneys: Some lawyers do both plaintiff and defense work, some handle only certain types of cases like Personal Injury or Business.
- Office Practice Attorneys: These lawyers rarely go to court, rather, they negotiate and draft documents and advise clients.
- Litigator: A litigator advises clients both in and out of court in all legal disputes like lawsuits, arbitrations and negotiated settlements
- Trial Attorney: A trial attorney argues the facts in courts. Think Johnnie Cochran or Matlock.
- Appellate Attorney: An appellate attorney argues the law, that is, they make appeals. An appeal is a challenge to a previous ruling, and appellate attorneys arguments generally include errors in the law, errors in the facts or errors in procedure (due process).
Where do Attorneys work?
While most of us picture attorneys working all day in a courtroom, even the most hardened trial lawyer spends even more time outside of the courtroom preparing arguments and researching. Of course, with so many different types of attorneys out there, some never set foot into a courtroom but for time to time. Procedural dramas on primetime television often only focus on the exciting parts when so much more work is done behind the scenes, out of the courtroom.
Where can I find an Attorney?
Seems like you can't turn on the television or listen to the radio without finding an attorney, doesn't it? Maybe a better question would be how to find a quality Attorney that you can trust. Of course, you're welcome to call up the representative advertising on the television, but most folks would prefer to go with a recommendation. If you know someone who's gone through similar legal problems to you, and they were pleased with their attorney, start there. If you feel like you've just entered a whole new world of legal problems and are overwhelmed and intimidated by all the choices available, a consultation or matching services might be best for you.
AttorneyAuthority can put you in touch with local attorney who specialize in your areas of concern. Click Here to begin the matching process.
What type of Attorney do I need?
While many attorneys specialize in certain areas of the law, a general practitioner covers a wide range of legal matters. A general practitioner may be all you need, but if your case involves specialties like Family Law, Bankruptcy, Tax or Patents, you'll most likely need to retain a specialist. If you're not sure about what type of lawyer you need, AttorneyAuthority can make it easier for you. Simply fill out our form and give us a brief description of your legal issue. We'll put you together with a lawyer in your area who can help you in the area you need.
How much do Attorneys cost?
Attorney fees are often costly depending on what type of case you have and how much time the attorney must devote to your case. There are a few different types of fee arrangements available: Hourly flat fees, Contingent fees, and Fixed Rates.
An hourly flat fee is calculated by simply multiplying the number of hours worked by your attorney's hourly rate. Contingent fees allow your lawyer to collect an agreed-upon percentage of any money won. A fixed rate is a flat fee for all the services provided.
Attorney fees generally do not include any court costs and filing fees as these are usually required to be paid upfront by the client. It is always a good idea to have any potential attorney explain his or her fee structure and billing policies before beginning to use their service. |
