Have you ever worked with a lawyer? If the answer to that question right now is no, there’s still a good chance you will need to in the future. Having or needing a lawyer is commonplace, as there are many practical things an attorney can help you with.

While lawyers might be portrayed on television as inaccessible or only available for criminal cases, this isn’t accurate. There are many kinds of lawyers, and most people will need to work with a lawyer at some point in their lives. Lawyers can assist with everything from drafting a will to helping with a divorce. 

Here are some of the most common kinds of lawyers and what they do. Use this guide as a reference if you are ever in need of an attorney and need help figuring out where to start your search.

Criminal Defense Attorneys

First on the list is criminal defense attorneys. Because these are the types of lawyers many people first think of, it’s worth going into detail about what they do and the role they play. 

Criminal defense lawyers are those who defend people being accused of or tried for a crime. Without criminal defense attorneys, the criminal justice system wouldn’t be able to function with any semblance of fairness. Remember that not everyone arrested or charged with a crime is guilty. Also, even guilty people deserve legal representation.

Personal Injury Lawyers

When you’re injured in a car accident, slip and fall at a restaurant, or have another incident happen that was the fault of another party, a personal injury lawyer helps you with your case. They help victims get compensation for their injuries, both physical and emotional.

Hiring a personal injury attorney after a vehicle accident is not uncommon. In many cases, they don’t collect their fees until after the case has been settled. 

Family Lawyer

Family lawyers do a combination of things, but they are primarily there to assist with issues related to divorce, child custody, spousal support, and prenuptial agreements. They help mediate problems and can also bring cases to court when necessary. 

Many individuals and couples work with family lawyers before marriage, while others work with them during separation. In the ideal situation, family lawyers can handle a family issue without court proceedings.

Estate Planning Lawyer

An estate planning lawyer is one of the most common kinds of lawyers. An estate planning lawyer helps with things such as drafting a will, setting up a trust, and mediating disputes. Most likely, you’ll need to set up your own will at some point, or you may be the recipient of someone else’s will.

While it’s always necessary to work with an attorney when setting up your will and estate, they can simplify the process, as they know the ins and outs of filing a will and ensuring it’s set up correctly. 

Corporate Lawyers

Corporate attorneys do many things for businesses and legal entities. They sometimes work in-house to help manage and mitigate cases. They also help businesses with concerns such as compliance issues. While your average person might not use a corporate lawyer, anyone with their own company can benefit from their assistance.

How To Find A Lawyer

Regardless of what type of attorney you need, you want to ensure they are experienced, reliable, and trustworthy. One of the best ways to find a licensed attorney in your area is through your state’s bar association website. Here’s a resource to help you with this process. 

By doing some research and knowing where to start, you can find an experienced attorney when you need one.