There are many different kinds of attorneys in the US. Some attorneys may work in a general practice law firm but nowadays, more typically, attorneys will specialize in one or a few particular areas of law. Within different practice areas there are often more nuanced specialty areas that may be even more suited to your particular needs. With the different branches of law, there are so many different practice areas that providing a fully comprehensive list would likely be overwhelming for people who are just starting to familiarize themselves with the different kinds of attorneys.
While not exhaustive, the following is a conglomerate list of some of the more common practice areas that many people in the US need to find the best attorneys in:
Administrative law, alternative dispute resolution, animal law, antitrust litigation, appellate, aviation, aerospace, banking, bankruptcy, business litigation, business/corporate, civil litigation, civil rights, class action/mass torts, closely held business, communications, constitutional law, construction litigation, consumer law, creditor/debtor rights, criminal defense (general) DUI/DWI criminal defense, white collar criminal defense, e-discovery, elder law, eminent domain, employee benefits, employment & labor, employment litigation, energy & natural resources, entertainment & sports, environmental, environmental litigation, estate & trust litigation, estate planning & probate, family law, FLSA, food & drugs, franchise/dealership, gaming, general litigation, general practice, governmental contracts, government finance, government relations, health care, immigration, insurance coverage, intellectual property, intellectual property litigation, international, land use/zoning, legal aid/pro bono, legislative & governmental affairs, LGBT/QIA, lobbying, local law, media & advertising, mergers & acquisitions, military/veterans law, municipal law, Native American law, nonprofit organizations, general personal injury, medical malpractice personal injury, faulty product personal injury, professional liability, real estate, schools & education, Special Education, securities & corporate finance, securities litigation, social security & disability, state law, surety, tax, technology transactions, transportation, utilities, workers compensation.
The following are descriptions of some of the more common practice areas that people need the best attorneys for:
Personal Injury
When someone is injured in the United States because of another person or party’s negligence, recklessness, or malice, they may be entitled to compensation for expenses related to their injury. Personal injury is a broad practice area that has many more specific areas such as trip and fall, medical malpractice, premise liability, auto accidents, etc.
Workers Compensation
When someone is injured on the job, and in some cases, while on their way to or from work, there is a good chance that they are entitled to compensation for expenses related to their injuries. Workers compensation claims tend to fall under the larger umbrella of personal injury but because they deal in part with employment law, it is its own specialty area.
Bankruptcy
A bankruptcy lawyer can advise people on their eligibility for bankruptcy, the different types of bankruptcy that are available to them, as well as alternatives to bankruptcy.
Intellectual Property
Intellectual property law is the branch of law that deals with intellectual property such as, copyrights, trademarks, patents, logos, industrial design, trade secrets, etc.
Employment/FLSA
Employment and Fair Labor Standards Act law deal with employment issues such as contracts, minimum wage, overtime pay eligibility, and recordkeeping. Employers and employees can both seek help for employment problems with an employment lawyer.
Family
Family law deals with all matters of law pertaining to families. Common reasons people seek out family law lawyers is for adoptions, pre and post nuptial agreements, divorce, child support, spousal support and palimony.
Immigration/Visa
Immigration and visa law deals with legal issues surrounding entry and residency in the United States such as, visas, citizenship, refugees, asylum and green cards.
Taxes
Tax attorneys can help people who have complex, technical and legal issues associated with their tax situation. Many people only need tax attorneys when they have a problem but some tax situations warrant the need for retaining tax attorneys on an ongoing basis.