What type of law do most lawyers practice?
If you’re thinking about pursuing a career in law, exploring the various types of law practice can reveal an incredibly promising job outlook. Lawyer employment is expected to grow an impressive 8% in the next decade—which is faster than the average rate for all occupations. Law is also an incredibly diverse field, which means you won’t have any trouble finding a practice area that aligns with your unique interests, goals, and skills.
Whether you’re an aspiring lawyer or looking to change legal practice areas, it’s helpful to know about the career paths you can take. This guide offers a snapshot of the various types of law practice, equipping you with insights that can help determine which one is right for you.
Cybersecurity Law and Healthcare Law are highly in demand due to data protection and regulatory needs. Corporate Law, Intellectual Property Law, and Environmental Law are also sought after, driven by business needs and growing focus on sustainability.
The three most common types of law are Criminal Law, which governs crimes and prosecutions; Civil Law, which handles disputes between individuals or organizations, including contracts and personal injury; and Administrative Law, which regulates government agencies through rules and decisions affecting public policy and individuals.
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There are many different types of law practice to specialize in. To help you zero in on your ideal role, we’ve provided a round-up of the different types of law practice below. We’ve also developed a practice area quiz for good measure, which can point you in the right direction based on the challenges you’re eager to tackle, the work that motivates you, and more.
Learn more about the differences between a lawyer and an attorney.
Administrative Law focuses on the rules, regulations, and decisions of government agencies, ensuring they act within legal bounds. As an administrative lawyer, you might work on regulatory compliance, enforcement actions, or challenges to agency decisions, covering areas like licensing, environmental regulations, and public health. This field is essential for maintaining government checks and balances and offers a unique intersection of law and public policy, making it ideal for those interested in governance and public service.
Bankruptcy law refers to the system of rules that govern the rights of debtors (people or companies facing financial insolvency) and creditors (those to whom money is owed). No matter which side you represent, you can expect to:
- Assist clients in filing for bankruptcy
- Negotiate with creditors
- Advise on debt restructuring and repayment plans
As you’ll be responsible for securing the best possible results for your clients, you’ll need a strategic mindset and strong negotiation skills to excel in this type of law practice.
If you’re passionate about civil justice, a career in civil rights law could be for you. Civil rights law is focused on e
Which lawyer wins most cases?
Gerry Spence
2009 Inductee
Spence Law Firm
Gerry Spence is widely considered one of the most successful trial and criminal attorneys in America. He has never once lost a criminal case — either as a prosecutor or a defense attorney — and he hasn’t lost a civil case since 1969. Spence is the founder of the nationally acclaimed Trial Lawyers College which established a revolutionary method for training lawyers for the people. He served as a legal consultant for NBC during the O.J. Simpson trial, and eventually went on to host a talk show on MSNBC for a short time. He has appeared on some of the largest talk shows in television history, including The Oprah Winfrey Show, Larry King Live, and Geraldo. Among his most famous cases are his success in suing McDonald’s for $53 million for breach of contract and winning $33 million for a client in an insurance bad faith trial. Spence has authored 16 books during his career.
“I would rather have a mind opened by wonder than one closed by belief.”
The Spence Law Firm, LLC
430 W. Main Street, Dothan, AL 36301
© 2017 Trial Lawyer Hall of Fame
What is a lawyer’s GP?
Students who plan to become general practitioners may benefit from taking courses in these subjects:
- Practical experience through summer clerkships or part-time work during the school year in general practice firms
- Serving as prosecutors or defense lawyers in the university’s Traffic Court
- Participation in moot court and mock trial competitions at the on-campus, regional and national level
- Involvement in the Student Bar Association and other student organizations
Students pursuing a career as a general practitioner learn from a faculty with diverse scholarship interests and professional backgrounds.
For questions about how to develop your course plan, contact Melanie Daily, clinical associate professor, at [email protected].
Full faculty list