There is a good chance that we will need to contact a lawyer at least once throughout our life. But what most don't realize is that there are many different types of legal professionals. It's not all like what you see in the movies! Each has their own specialties, a Phoenix car accident lawyer will have a different set of skills compared to a New York corporate lawyer, and it's important to know what they do before you reach out to them.
Below we are going to mention six types of
lawyers and explain their primary roles.
Want to learn more? Then keep on reading.
General
Practice Lawyer
A general practice lawyer handles a wide
range of cases and is not particularly specialized in a specific area. From
handling minor criminal matters such as a red light ticket to
drafting and reviewing contracts, they have a broad range of knowledge.
Generally, younger lawyers will start off in this career until they find their
field of interest. However, this doesn't mean they are not competent.
Family
Lawyer
A family lawyer focuses on matters that
involve legal relationships. This includes handling cases relating to divorce
and child custody. However, their work can also cross over into other fields.
For instance, they may also assist with a domestic violence case, deal with
pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements, and even
litigation.
Criminal
Lawyer
The role of a criminal lawyer is to prosecute
or defend an individual that is accused of a criminal offense. In addition,
they provide legal advice to their clients, investigate certain matters and
help review necessary documentation in preparation to present their case in
court.
If you have been charged with a crime, it's
essential that you contact the right professionals straight away, like the team
at Pringle Chivers Sparks Teskey.
Corporate
Lawyers
A corporate lawyer represents a
corporation/business as a whole. Their role is to advise their clients of all
of their rights and responsibilities. Most of these professionals tend to work
in-house, handling a variety of issues. For example, alongside assisting with
deals, contract drafting, and policies, they also ensure that the corporation
is complying with the securities law.
Estate
Lawyers
Estate lawyers help ensure all of your
finances are taken care of in the event of your passing. They handle all
aspects of estate planning, including writing a will so that
your wishes are met.
They can also work with you to develop a
living will in the case that you are mentally incapacitated. This way, your
family does not need to make such challenging decisions.
Civil
Litigation lawyer
Finally, last on the list, the role of a
civil litigation lawyer is to resolve disputes between two different parties.
Generally, this is a conflict between people or businesses over finances. They
represent either the applicant (plaintiff) or the respondent (defendant) and
work to share their side of the case. Like most of the lawyers on this list,
their responsibilities may also cross over into other sections.
Here’s a quick comparison table showing where traffic lawyers fit depending on the type of violation:
| Type of Violation | Examples | Lawyer Type Most Relevant | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minor Traffic Infractions | Speeding, stop sign, red light camera tickets, expired registration | General Practice Lawyer | These are low-level cases, often resolved by paying a fine or disputing the ticket. Many generalists handle them. |
| Serious Traffic Offenses (Criminal) | DUI/DWI, reckless driving, hit-and-run, driving on suspended license | Criminal Lawyer | These involve criminal charges, potential jail time, and court appearances. Criminal defense lawyers are best suited. |
| Traffic-Related Civil Disputes | Car accident lawsuits, insurance disputes, negligence claims | Civil Litigation Lawyer | These deal with damages and financial compensation between parties rather than criminal penalties. |
| Specialized Traffic Defense | Habitual offender cases, CDL (commercial driver license) issues | Traffic Lawyer (subset of Criminal Lawyer) | Some lawyers market specifically as “traffic lawyers,” but legally they practice criminal law with traffic focus. |
👉 In summary:
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General practice lawyers = good for minor tickets.
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Criminal lawyers = best for serious or repeat offenses.
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Civil litigation lawyers = handle financial/legal disputes after accidents.