A lawyer is an individual who is professionally licensed to practice law in one or more states. Lawyers are also called attorneys at law or attorneys.
The phrase practicing law includes providing legal advice to clients, drafting documents for clients, and representing clients in court as well as during negotiations. There are some lawyers who practice in multiple areas of law.
Other lawyers may only practice in one or a few areas of law, known as specializing. A lawyer may have a solo practice, practice law with a partner, or operate in a group, referred to as a law firm.
To become an attorney, an individual must graduate from law school and pass the state bar examination in the state they are practicing. Each state has its own state bar association for the lawyers in the state.
Lawyers are required to be licensed in each state in which they practice. There are, however, certain states which have cross-licensing programs, or reciprocity.
In the United States, attorneys are also required to pass background checks as well as pass professional responsibility tests before being licensed to practice law.
A practice attorney is an individual who is licensed to practice law and who is actively working as an attorney. If an individual were to let their license lapse, or expire, and they are not performing legal work, they would no longer be considered to be practicing law.
A practicing lawyer has a license that is active with their state bar. It is important to note that there are lawyers who still hold a license but are not currently actively practicing.
A practicing lawyer works as a lawyer independently or works in a firm and practices collectively. This may not include a lawyer who is working as an employee of an organization.
The first question that often enters an individual’s mind when they have a legal issue is how do they find the right lawyer. If they do not have a personal connection to an attorney or a recommendation from a close friend or family member, finding a lawyer may be an overwhelming and intimidating experience.
It is common for individuals to use the internet for their search. This method, however, is typically time consuming and may not yield accurate results.
For example, searching for a lawyer online may lead an individual to many generic results that do not provide information regarding the practice area of a lawyer. It may even provide listings for lawyers who do not practice anymore. Additionally, if an individual does not know what area of law their issue falls into, they will have a very difficult time locating the correct attorney for their needs.
The type of attorney an individual needs is only one of several search parameters they will need to know before beginning their search. They will also have to find an attorney practicing in their area and determine if they need one that focuses on the transactional side of cases or one that represents clients in court.
Depending on the issues involved, a legal matter may take years to resolve. An individual should find an attorney with whom they are comfortable working on a long-term basis.
An individual may also search for a lawyer based on which law school they graduated from or by their professional accomplishments. For example, if an individual is involved in a multi-million dollar lawsuit, they may desire an attorney who has a track record of winning cases involving large amounts of money.
In addition to the methods discussed above, other common ways individuals search for attorneys include:
There are also many attorneys who have a strong presence online, including social media platforms such as Twitter and LinkedIn. This information may help a potential client evaluate whether they would be comfortable working with the attorney prior to hiring them.
Because the current circumstances have made it more difficult for individuals to meet in person, many attorneys are using video technology, including Zoom and Skype to conduct consultations and meet with clients online. One online method individuals may use to search for an attorney online is to register for free and follow the steps to present their case on LegalMatch.
LegalMatch provides an individual with the opportunity to present their legal issue to attorneys for free. This removes the uncertainty of choosing the correct area of law and finding lawyers who practice in their area.
LegalMatch provides background information, fee information, and reviews for each attorney. An individual can then choose who best meets their needs and budget and contact them for a consultation, which may also be provided free of charge.
When an individual is searching for a lawyer, there are several factors they may want to consider that may affect their choice, including:
An individual’s choice of lawyer will largely be governed by the area of law and their budget. However, the lawyer’s experience may also play an important role.
A lawyer who has been practicing for many decades has the same basic education as a new lawyer who just received their license. A new lawyer, however, will likely charge significantly lower fees than the more experienced lawyer.
Not every legal case requires a lawyer. However, if you have a legal issue and you are unsure where to start the process of finding a practice attorney, LegalMatch is an excellent resource.
You have nothing to lose by presenting your case for free to LegalMatch. Attorneys are honest and hard-working individuals and will provide you with feedback regarding whether they can assist you with your issue or whether you can resolve your issue on your own.
Because LegalMatch provides contact information for multiple attorneys, you may be able to consult with several before choosing the right fit for you. Your personal information will not be provided to any attorneys without your permission.
If you choose to try LegalMatch, you are under no obligation to hire any of the attorneys with whom you discuss your case. Choosing an attorney is a very personal process and only you will be able to determine which practice lawyer is right for you.
Having a legal issue can be very stressful and overwhelming. Having a practice lawyer helping you can provide peace of mind and help ensure that your case is handled correctly and efficiently.
Over 7 million people and business have posted cases on LegalMatch
Here are some testimonials from our satisfied clients.