A lawyer is a person who practices law, as an attorney, barrister, barrister-at-law, bar-at-law, canonist, canon lawyer, notary public, legal advisor, advocate, legal expert, or public servant who prepares, interprets, and applies the law, but not as a legal intern or law clerk.
The practice of law involves the practical application of abstract legal theories and knowledge to solve specific, individual problems or to advance the interests of those who hire lawyers to provide legal services.
The role of the lawyer varies widely in different legal systems.
Lawyers apply the law to specific cases. They investigate the facts and evidence by consulting with their clients and reviewing documents, and they prepare and file pleadings in court.
At trial, they introduce evidence, question witnesses, and discuss legal and factual issues.
If they do not win the case, they may move for a new trial or seek relief in an appellate court.
In many cases, through negotiation, reconciliation, and compromise, lawyers can bring about a settlement of the case without going to trial.
In addition, the law gives individuals the ability to regulate and determine their rights in many matters and in a variety of ways, such as wills, contracts, or corporate charters, and attorneys assist with many of these arrangements.
Since the 20th century, representing clients before administrative boards, courts, and legislative committees has been a rapidly developing area of work for lawyers.
Lawyers owe several loyalties in their work, including to their clients, to the judiciary, to the community, to their colleagues in practice, and to themselves.
When these loyalties conflict, the norms of the profession are intended to bring about reconciliation.
Types of legal professions
Law students typically choose a particular type of practice depending on whether they want to work in a firm or serve individual clients.
Traditionally, solicitors and barristers make up the legal profession.
A solicitor gives legal advice and may represent clients in court. A barrister specializes in representing clients in court.
Each type of lawyer has its own challenges, expectations, and benefits.
Here is just a sampling of the many types of lawyers:
- Car accident lawyer Lawyer for divorce law
- Attorney for bankruptcy law
- Lawyer for general practice
- Immigration Lawyer
- Family Law Attorney
- Personal Injury Lawyer
- Criminal Law Lawyer
- Power of attorney OF Lawyer
In addition to these professionals, there are also non-professional legal advisors who provide advice on various legal issues and are often employed by businesses.
In almost all civil law countries, there are notaries (see Notary) who are authorized exclusively to perform clerical work such as marriages and wills.
Regardless of where you go to law school, it takes about six to seven years to become a lawyer.
Many countries have slightly different requirements, such as shorter periods of study, an undergraduate law degree, and internship requirements.
In the U.S., for example, you can not study law until you have a bachelor's degree, and British universities offer law as an undergraduate and a graduate degree.