Legal Practice Areas

Don't settle when choosing legal areas of practice for you and your firm
By Betsy D. Vanderslice, Freelance Choose wisely when deciding on the types of legal practice your firm will focus on. Not all attorneys in your firm need to be experts in the same field, but with so many areas of law to practice, you want to make sure there is a similarity among the lawyers.
 

There are four main types of law practice, with a range of specialties within each one. The key is finding the type of people you want to work with, while choosing a niche specialty wide enough to pay the bills. For example, if you like working with the underdog, you may want to consider a public interest career with a specialty in family law.

The different types of law practice are:

1. Public interest law, which mainly works with low-income individuals and marginalized groups.
2. Corporate law, which helps both small businesses and large companies.
3. Government law, which gives legal advice to government officials.
4. Private practice, which is typically a small firm with a special focus.

Choose business law practice areas if you wish to work with companies

Companies large and small need lawyers to help them conduct their business within the realm of the law. In most cases, corporate law does not involve litigation. Many lawyers spend their time reviewing contracts and advising companies on the paperwork they need to get off the ground.
Try: Many lawyers choose corporate law because it tends to offer higher paychecks than other legal areas. If this is one of the legal areas of practice that interests you, consider joining the Association of Corporate Counsel. If you prefer to focus on labor and employment law, join the labor section at the American Bar Association.

Consider public interest areas of legal practice to help people

Many people are afraid when they find themselves in legal trouble. They often don't have the money necessary to hire a good attorney. When you work as a public interest lawyer, you are able to help these people out.
Try: New immigrants often need help understanding American laws. Become an immigration attorney and join the American Immigration Lawyers Association to help them learn the ways of our country. Alternatively, consider working in family law. Meet other family lawyers at the American Bar Association's Section on Family Law.

Start a private practice that specializes in your favorite law practice areas

A private practice can be a very lucrative way to establish your career as a lawyer. Make sure that you choose one of the legal practice areas that people need in your area. For example, you would probably do better practicing agricultural law in Iowa rather than Boston.
Try: People need tax lawyers and real estate lawyers in just about every area of the country. Let potential clients find you through Real Estate Laywers.com. Or join other tax lawyers at the Section on Tax Law.

• When considering areas of legal practice, don't only think about the money. Many people find that the legal practice areas that make less money are more emotionally rewarding.