Types of Law Firms

There are many ways to sort out law firms, depending on your legal issue, location, and which side of the matter you’re sitting on. There’s no single way to decide which attorney is right for you, but there are ways to sift through the many types of law firms and get the best lawyer for your needs.

Understanding the types of law firms and how they operate can help you narrow your search and choose the lawyer best suited to your situation.

This article explains the different types of law firms. Learn how to simplify your research and target the right attorney and type of firm without feeling overwhelmed.

Sort by Legal Practice Area

One way to narrow down law firms is by practice area. Many attorneys specialize in one or two related practice areas within a single legal field. Each large area has many specializations. A good lawyer does not try to be proficient in all of them. Some general areas include:

• Family law, which encompasses marriage, divorce, child custody, child support, alimony, and related issues
• Business law, including contracts, patents, employment, labor law, and other matters
• Estate planning, including wills and trusts, probate, trusteeship, and guardianship
• Civil rights law, focusing on constitutional rights in all areas, including free speech, voting, privacy, and personal rights
• Civil law, including personal injury, real estate transactions, medical malpractice, and landlord-tenant disputes

When researching attorneys, consider your legal issue. Is someone suing you for back child support? Do you need to evict a tenant? This is the first step in finding the right type of lawyer.

Types of Law Firms

Many types of law firms exist, from solo practitioners to partnership law practices to big national law firms. These firms can handle almost everything for individuals, small businesses, corporations, and multinational conglomerates. Just because your legal problem is small does not mean you need a small law firm. A big law firm does not necessarily guarantee big results.

Solo Law Firms

Solo practitioners are a one-person show. They often handle whatever comes through the door, but try to specialize in one or two subjects, such as family law or DUIs. Solo practitioners may be new lawyers fresh out of law school or older attorneys well into their legal careers.

The advantage of a solo firm is the personal touch you will get from the attorney. Since there is only one lawyer, you know who will handle your case. Solo practitioners may be less expensive than bigger firms because they may have fewer office staff. On the other hand, if the attorney becomes tied up in court, your case may wait until the attorney is finished.

Being a solo practitioner does not mean the attorney is less experienced. You should consult the attorney’s profile on the state bar association website.

Small Law Firms

Small law firms, sometimes called “boutique” law firms, are small. They can be comprised of anywhere from two to a dozen attorneys. Boutique firms differ in that they usually specialize in one practice area, whereas a small firm may have several practice areas.

Small firms offer the one-on-one feel of solo practitioners with a larger firm’s wide range of practice areas and legal services. Small firms are often family partnerships or form around the nucleus of a senior partnership as more associates become partners.

Large Law Firms

Large law firms, or “full-service” firms, typically have dozens of attorneys and hundreds of employees. They may have offices in several states, like the famous personal injury lawyers who advertise class-action lawsuits on television.

Most large law firms have multiple legal departments and may have attorneys specializing in a particular area of law. For instance, a corporate law firm may have departments for intellectual property, tax law, contracts, and mergers and acquisitions.

Unlike smaller firms, large law firms are corporate entities with support staff, paralegals, human resources departments, administrative staff, and even janitorial workers. Large firms may represent large corporate clients and also handle individual clients in small towns through satellite offices.

Criminal Law Firms

Big, small, or solo, criminal law firms are separate entities. Unlike civil or corporate lawyers, criminal lawyers focus on an area of law requiring specialized knowledge of an entirely different branch of law. Criminal law differs significantly from civil law. The stakes are higher, the outcome is more serious, and court procedure is more restrictive on the production of evidence and handling of witnesses.

Finding a good criminal defense lawyer for your legal work is different from finding one for your contract dispute. Whether you have your own defense attorney or a public defender may be outside your control. A referral is a better way to find a criminal law firm or solo practitioner than an online search via Google or another search engine.

Federal vs. State Attorneys

The legal profession has two parts, like its courts. Attorneys licensed by their state bar cannot practice in federal court without special training and certification. You will need an attorney with those credentials if your matter involves a federal issue. These include bankruptcy lawyers, immigration lawyers, and appellate attorneys.

Find the Right Lawyer and Firm for Your Issue

Now that you understand the types of law firms and attorneys, you’re ready to find expert legal help for your issue.

FindLaw’s Attorney Directory is a helpful resource to get you started. The directory is free to use and can simplify your search. Begin by entering your legal issue and location for a list of qualified attorneys in your area. You can review contact and ratings information from this results page.

Then, reach out to prospective legal help with your questions. You may want to review FindLaw’s 10 Questions to Ask Your Potential Lawyer for tips on how to interview a potential lawyer.