Law Career Descriptions
Dedicated to upholding the law, lawyers represent a wide range of clients with varied interests. Entering the field of law requires a rigorous education and passion for the profession. Lawyers often specialize in specific fields and choose their career paths during pursuit of their law degree.
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Private Practice
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Lawyers specializing in civil or criminal law often work out of private practices. This includes working as a partner within a firm or operating their own law office. Civil lawyers help clients handle personal needs, such as wills and contracts. They also represent clients in court cases dealing with civil issues, such as those dealing with personal injury or money contracts. Criminal lawyers work as defense or prosecuting attorneys. Defense attorneys collect evidence and attempt to defend their client against any criminal charges filed. Prosecuting attorneys gather evidence to prove the guilt of the defendant beyond a reasonable doubt.
Corporate Careers
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Lawyers specializing in business-based law can find positions within the corporate world. This includes lawyers specializing in taxation, patents and employment law. Tax lawyers keep corporate policies and practices in line with ever-changing tax law. Lawyers specializing in patents help process patent application paperwork and ensure that competitors and new businesses refrain from using any likeness to the corporation's brand names and logos. This can include investigating possible cases of infringement. Lawyers specializing in employment law help corporations maintain proper hiring, disciplinary and firing practices.
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Specialized Career Paths
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Beyond the basic civil, criminal and corporate law careers various career opportunities exist within the field of law. Bankruptcy attorneys provide professional guidance to consumers and corporations looking to file bankruptcy and gain a fresh start financially. Environmental lawyers work with corporations, government agencies and special interest groups to help prepare paperwork and obtain licenses for projects related to environmental safety and health.
Other Options
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Lawyers can also specialize in other areas of law. Some lawyers may choose to specialize in areas related to discrimination, including civil and criminal cases dealing with issues related to race, gender and age. Another option includes specializing in intellectual property law. Intellectual property deals with protecting product designs and computer systems developed exclusively by their client.
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