Lawyer
What is a lawyer?
A lawyer is someone who has license to practice law, and whose obligation is to uphold the law while protecting the rights of their clients.Â
Some of the duties commonly associated with a lawyer include: legal advice and consulting, research and gathering of information or evidence, drafting of legal documents related to divorces, wills, contracts and real estate transactions and prosecution or defense in court.
The exact terminology of the word "lawyer" varies around the world. Lawyer, jurist or attorney are various names given to lawyers. The origin of the career dates back to ancient Greece, when orators spoke on behalf of friends or citizens. Although they acted as lawyers, under Athenian law, orators could not be paid for their services, nor could they organize as a legal career. Emperor Claudius legalized the career and lifted the ban on fees in ancient Rome around 204 BC.
What does a lawyer do?
A lawyer has many responsibilities that go beyond the basic trial in court. Researching information, drafting documents, mediating disputes and providing advice to clients on their legal rights are just some of the tasks involved depending on their area of interest.
Types of lawyers:
- Divorce Lawyer
They focus on the legal matters of divorce and the dissolution of marriage. - Immigration Lawyer
Determines the legal rights, duties, and obligations of a person considered an alien and helps an individual obtain legal citizenship within a specific country. - Employment Lawyer / Labor Lawyer
Focuses on the employer-employee relationship, which includes contracts, regulations, bargaining agreements, protection against discrimination, wages and working hours, health and safety, and severance negotiations. - Accident and Personal Injury Lawyer
Generally handles civil law cases that focus on injuries to the body, mind, or emotions and compensation for injuries sustained in an accident. - Corporate and Business Lawyer
Is involved in contracts, sales, commercial paper, agency and employment law, business and property organizations. - Family Lawyer
Handles family-related matters arising during marriage, civil unions and domestic partnerships, legitimacy, adoption, surrogacy, child abuse, and child abduction. - Criminal Lawyer
Their main area is crimes and their punishments. - Bankruptcy Lawyer
Focuses on individuals or organizations making legal filings declaring their inability to pay their creditors.
What is a lawyer's workplace like?
A lawyer can work in a law firm, a private company, or even work for the State as a public defender or for the prosecution. Most lawyers work 40 to 70 hours per week, including weekends. Newly hired lawyers typically serve as employees in charge of researching information, managing digital files, folios, documents, folders, records, etc. and assisting in the preparation of upcoming trials. As well as preparing case files or court orders. A professional can work in various job positions:
- Legal Advisor
- Legal Assistant
- Paralegal
- Contracts Manager
- File Administrator
What makes a great lawyer?
Great lawyers have invested a lot of time and effort in understanding people, building relationships and being great leaders. They have great communication skills (written and verbal), a high level of intelligence, excellent analytical skills and excellent advocacy skills. They have a passion for their particular specialty, a high level of commitment to their work and to their client, and are an expert in their field. They also understand their client's goals and advocate on that basis; not just on the basis of the law itself.
What are the downsides of being a lawyer?
A career in law can be demanding and stressful. Some common complaints from legal professionals are: long hours, court deadlines, billing pressures, changing laws, high-pressure deals and difficult clients.
