If you are an individual trying to understand what type of lawyer you need or even if you are a law student who is trying to view what are the different types of attorneys and which area of the law is more appealing to you, stay tuned, you are in the right place.
The first important differentiator when reviewing the different types of lawyers is to make it clear that there are two legal markets: one serving individuals and another serving businesses and big organizational clients. These markets involve different economic drivers that are evolving in very different ways. Even within each one of this markets the legal career can vary greatly, an individual practicing Family Law may specialize on topics like Divorce, Child Custody, Wills and Trusts or practice as a business family attorney.
The information provided in this article gathers curated content from the most up to date legal resources that we could find. Research and studies about different areas of the Law, as well as consumer sites, census information and career databases in the United States.
The following is a list, not complete by any means, of different types of lawyers in the United States, along with what they do, services they offer, what you can expect a consultation would cost, the average annual salary, etc.
You may also be interested in: How much do attorneys charge?
Contents
Personal Injury Lawyer
If you’ve suffered injuries in an accident—for example, a car accident—the type of lawyer you’ll want to see is a personal injury lawyer. These types of attorneys specialize in obtaining compensation in the form of damages for injuries caused by other parties.
- Annual Average Salary: $49,133 – $171,002.
- Cost for a consultation: Free.
- Client Type: Mainly consumers.
- Typical Case Compensation: Contingency Fee.
Read more about contingency fee on our Resources at the bottom of this article.
ListaLegal’s list of Personal Injury Lawyers
Estate Planning Lawyer
The estate planning lawyer specializes in wills and trusts, and can help you to draw up a will to pass on your assets. Among other estate planning legal services, this type of lawyer can help you set up a trust which will help take care of your children’s financial needs. Visit AttorneyFee for assistance with completing your Estate Planning forms.
- Annual Average Salary: $48,483 – $125,578.
- Cost for a consultation: Free.
- Client Type: Mainly Consumers and Business.
- Typical Case Compensation: Average $800 to $3500 depending on the legal service.
ListaLegal’s list of Estate Planning Lawyers
Bankruptcy Lawyer
If you’re having financial difficulties and are contemplating bankruptcy proceedings, you’ll want to consult with a bankruptcy attorney. This type of lawyer can advise you on your eligibility for bankruptcy, the types of bankruptcy you’ll want to consider and which type would be best for your particular circumstances, as well as any potential alternatives to bankruptcy which you may want to explore.
- Annual Average Salary: $113,000.
- Cost for a consultation: Free.
- Client Type: Consumer and Business.
- Typical Case Compensation: Average $3000.
ListaLegal’s list of Bankruptcy Lawyers
Intellectual Property Lawyer
Also known as an IP attorney, an intellectual property lawyer can advise you with regard to issues relating to intellectual property, such as copyrights, trademarks, patents, industrial design and trade secrets.
Job Description for Intellectual Property (IP) Lawyer
- Write, file, procure and prosecute patents.
- Advise the company on all aspects of intellectual property matters.
- Create a strategic plan for managing intellectual property portfolios.
- Support company with product support and due diligence.
- Annual Average Salary: $50,285 – $235,156.
- Cost for a consultation: $200.
- Client Type: Business and Corporate.
- Typical Case Compensation: $5,000-$10,000.
Employment Lawyer
Whether you’re a company that’s having a problem with an employee, or an individual who’s having problems with the company you work for, an employment lawyer can generally provide advice about legal issues which arise from an employment contract or within an employment relationship.
Employment Law is Not Workers’ Compensation Law. Employment Law is concerned with how you are treated at work, while Workers’ Compensation Law is concerned with your job injury claim. Read more about the differences here.
- Annual Average Salary: $144,000.
- Cost for a consultation: Free.
- Client Type: Consumer and Business.
- Typical Case Compensation: Contingency fee.
ListaLegal’s list of Employment Lawyers
Corporate Lawyer
If you own a corporation, you’ll likely find yourself consulting with a corporate attorney on many different occasions. A corporate lawyer will be able to help you with issues related to the formation of your corporation, general corporate governance issues and corporate compliance issues.
- Advise clients in business transactions, claim liability, advisability of prosecuting or defending lawsuits or legal rights and obligations.
- Select jurors, argue motions, meet with judges, and question witnesses during the course of a trial.
- Analyze and interpret laws, rulings, and regulations with probable case outcomes for individuals and businesses.
- Represent clients in court or before government agencies, present and summarize cases to judges and juries.
- Gather evidence to formulate defense or to initiate legal actions; evaluate findings and develop strategies and arguments for presentation of cases.
- Annual Average Salary: $59,523 – $302,320.
- Client Type: Corporate.
Immigration Lawyer
When you’re dealing with immigration issues, you’ll want to consult with an immigration lawyer. This type of lawyer should be well versed in dealing with immigration issues such as visas, citizenship, refugee or asylum and green cards.
- Present cases in court representing the local, state or federal government.
- Review reports, evidence, and conduct research.
- Question witnesses, victims or others involved in the case.
- Annual Average Salary: $45,541 – $113,122.
- Cost for a consultation: Free to $200.
- Client Type: Consumer and Business.
- Typical Case Compensation: $2000 to $5000.
ListaLegal’s list of Immigration Lawyers
Criminal Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been charged with a crime, a criminal lawyer is the type of lawyer you should turn to. A criminal lawyer will be knowledgeable in areas related to criminal law, including issues related to bail, arraignment, arrest, pleas and any issues relating to the criminal trial itself. A murder defense lawyer will be more experience than other attorneys when it comes to murder cases. Also related to criminal defense attorneys is expungement lawyers, they manage a type of lawsuit in which a first time offender of a prior criminal conviction seeks that the records of that earlier process be sealed, making the records unavailable through the state or Federal repositories.
- Present cases in court representing the local, state or federal government.
- Review reports, evidence, and conduct research.
- Question witnesses, victims or others involved in the case.
- Annual Average Salary: $47,870 – $232,732.
- Cost for a consultation: Free.
- Client Type: Consumers.
- Typical Case Compensation: Varies greatly based on the type of case.
ListaLegal’s list of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Tax Lawyer
Getting into trouble with the IRS is no fun. A tax attorney specializes in the many intricacies of federal, state and local tax laws, and should be able to provide advice on the particular tax issue you face.
- Annual Average Salary: $58,903 – $224,744.
- Cost for a consultation: $100 to $500.
- Client Type: Consumer, Business and Corporate.
- Typical Case Compensation: Varies greatly based on the type of case.
ListaLegal’s list of Tax Lawyers
Family Lawyer
Whether you’re in need of a prenuptial agreement, engaged in divorce proceedings or involved in child custody or spousal support battle, a family or divorce lawyer is the type of attorney who’ll be best equipped to guide you through the process which lies before you.
- Annual Average Salary: $44,180 – $129,568.
- Cost for a consultation: Average $250/h.
- Client Type: Consumers.
- Typical Case Compensation: Varies. Typically a flat fee.
ListaLegal’s list of Family Lawyers
Workers Compensation Lawyer
If you’ve been injured while on the job, or have had to face the death of a loved one as a result of a workplace accident or occupational disease, a lawyer who specializes in workers compensation law can help you navigate the issues you face, such as the extent of the employer’s fault and the number of benefits to which you are entitled.
- Annual Average Salary: $58,598 – $101,014.
- Cost for a consultation: Free.
- Client Type: Consumers.
- Typical Case Compensation: Contingency Fee.
ListaLegal’s list of Workers Compensation Attorneys
Social Security Disability Lawyer
The Social Security Disability system can be a particularly complex system in which to navigate. An attorney who specializes in Social Security Disability issues can help you with any step in the Social Security Disability process, including assisting you with eligibility issues, launching an appeal of a decision to deny you benefits and dealing with the reduction or termination of your benefits.
- Annual Average Salary: No Data.
- Cost for a consultation: Free.
- Client Type: Consumers.
- Typical Case Compensation: Contingency Fee.
ListaLegal’s list of Social Security Lawyers
Civil Litigation Lawyer
Suing someone, or responding to someone’s lawsuit against you? An attorney who specializes in civil litigation will be your best legal option. You may also find that different attorneys will specialize in different litigation areas as well. For example, a corporate litigation lawyer should have the expertise to help you with commercial litigation issues.
- Annual Average Salary: $63,112 – $188,050.
- Cost for a consultation: No Data.
- Client Type: Consumers and Business.
- Typical Case Compensation: No Data.
ListaLegal’s list of Civil Litigation Lawyers
If you need legal help, looking for a lawyer would offer an initial free consultation is always a good idea. That way you will know if they have experience with the type of legal situation that you are facing. Remember, most lawyers work a particular area of Law.
Sources
- Legal Market Landscape Report. Commissioned by the State Bar of California. July 2018. by William D. Henderson.
- Salary Evaluations from PayScale. https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job and also from LawyerEdu.org https://www.lawyeredu.org/
- Definition of Contingency fee here.
- More information about different types of lawyers.
Disclaimer: The data for Annual Average Salary, Cost for a consultation, Client Type and Typical Case Compensation are educated estimates and averages as of today, Agust 2019; this information is subject to change without prior notice.