Finding a lawyer that is right for your needs involves understanding the different areas of law. Because law is such a vast subject, attorneys typically need to specialize in a certain area – the same way that surgeons typically focus on specific parts of the body. This allows lawyers to develop a deep knowledge within a certain legal niche. Below are just some of the different types of lawyer that you can hire and what each of them does.
Bankruptcy lawyer
Filing for bankruptcy can be a complex procedure. Bankruptcy lawyers can help clients dealing with huge amounts of debt to determine whether bankruptcy is the right solution for them and then help navigate the process – including communicating with creditors and handling all the paperwork. Most bankruptcy lawyers charge fees upfront.
Consumer rights lawyer
You might want to talk to an experienced consumer law lawyer if you’re going through disputes with sellers or you have been a victim of other unfair practices. This includes issues like credit reporting errors, identity theft recovery or debt collection harassment. If you have been missold certain products, consumer rights lawyers may also be able to help you get compensation.
Corporate lawyer
Business owners can benefit from having a corporate lawyer on call. These lawyers can help with various legal matters related to business such as helping new entrepreneurs to understand compliance regulations and permits or helping to defend business owners against lawsuits. They may also be able to help you write up business contracts or switch to a limited company. Most of these lawyers charge hourly fees, but some may charge contingency fees.
Criminal defence lawyer
Criminal defence lawyers specialize in defending individuals from criminal accusations. Some specialize in certain types of crime like fraud or SA, while others work on an array of different cases. Prosecution lawyers meanwhile typically work on behalf of victims and plaintiffs to prosecute those accused of crimes. Such lawyers can sometimes be funded via government legal aid, providing clients on low incomes with a fair trial.
Employment lawyer
Employment lawyers provide advice on workplace laws to employers and individuals. This can include dealing with contracts, redundancies, whistleblowing and discrimination cases. They are experts when it comes to employment law – including health and safety laws, pay laws and discrimination and equality laws. These lawyers often charge hourly, but may charge contingency fees for lawsuits or flat fees for tasks like contract writing.
Family lawyer
Family lawyers work on cases involving family matters like divorce, child custody, domestic abuse and alimony. They can help to sensitively negotiate processes like mediation, negotiation and court proceedings to help individuals get the best outcome. Family lawyers can also help couples who are getting married to write prenups. Fees may come in the form of fixed fees, hourly fees or retainers.
Immigration lawyer
When it comes to difficulties with visa applications or permanent residency applications, immigration lawyers can help to guide clients through the process. They typically work on cases involving family reunification, removal orders and work/study permits. Some immigration lawyers are bilingual, allowing them to more easily work with clients that don’t speak English well.
Insurance lawyer
Legal issues involving insurance may require hiring an insurance lawyer. These professionals can handle claims disputes for consumers, while also helping insurance providers when it comes to matters like policy drafting and regulatory compliance. Certain insurance lawyers may specialize in certain areas of insurance like auto insurance or commercial insurance.
Intellectual property lawyer
Intellectual property lawyers help protect creations including inventions, brands and creative works by helping clients register for patents and trademarks. They can also help file infringement lawsuits or protect clients from infringement lawsuits. Business owners and artists may need these lawyers.
Medical malpractice lawyer
Sometimes medical professionals make mistakes and these mistakes can have harmful consequences. Medical malpractice lawyers can help patients who have been victims of negligence – such as botched surgery, misdiagnosis or birth injuries – to help seek compensation. Some may contrastingly work with medical practices, defending medical professionals against lawsuits. Contingency fees are common in this form of law.
Personal injury lawyer
Developed an injury that wasn’t your fault? Personal injury lawyers can help file lawsuits on behalf of people who have been injured due to the negligence of others. This includes car accident injuries, slip and fall injuries, workplace RSIs and dog bites. Some lawyers will specialize in certain areas like product liability (if a faulty product causes an injury). These lawyers typically use a ‘no win, no fee’ payment structure.
Probate lawyer
Managing a person’s estate after they die may require hiring a probate lawyer – especially if they left no will and there are disputes over who is owed what. They can help to ensure that the handover of a person’s estate meets their wishes or is carried out according to law. Similar to probate lawyers are estate planning lawyers, who can work with individuals while they are still alive to write wills and set up trusts. These lawyers often charge flat fees for their services.
Real estate lawyer
Real estate lawyers are experts in law surrounding property rights. Specialist real estate lawyers known as conveyancers are able to manage the process of buying and selling a home, while other real estate lawyers work with landlords and tenants to write tenancy agreements and solve disputes. Certain real estate lawyers may also be able to deal with cases involving boundary disputes or planning permission disputes.
Securities lawyer
Securities lawyers help individuals and companies to protect their investments. This can include helping to claim compensation if investments are mishandled by third parties or if helping individuals who are victims of investment fraud. These lawyers can also work with companies to set up IPOs or handle mergers.
Tax lawyer
If you need advice on tax laws, a tax attorney could be worth hiring. These lawyers can also resolve tax disputes and defend clients in tax fraud cases. Some may specialize in international tax laws, helping companies navigate taxes in other countries and potentially avoid double taxation.
