7 Hot Practice Areas to Grow Your Law Practice

One challenge of hanging out your shingle is figuring out how to differentiate your practice area from other similar attorneys. The problem is finding a hot practice area that fits into your area of expertise.

An unusual specialty can easily grow into a full-time business with the right marketing. So we've put together some specialties that can fit into an existing practice but have lots of growth potential.

This list may contain your ideal new practice but it's also a good jumping off point to inspire your own niche market.

1. Bike accidents. Biking has become a more popular way to travel and the number of bike accidents has risen right along with it. If you already practice personal injury law, take the time to research your state's relevant bike laws. You could find yourself with a whole list of new clients.


2. Animal Law. Pet owners have rights too and animal law isn't just limited to personal injury. Divorce cases sometimes involve 'dog custody' issues and animal rights groups need help with incorporation. Advertising yourself as animal-friendly can be a good move for any practice.


3. E-Discovery. If you are a litigator you know the importance of e-discovery and how complicated it can be. Firms need experts to advise them on relevant laws, how to protect e-files, and to advise them in trial. Be that expert.


4. Alternative Dispute Resolution. Mediation has become a popular alternative to court with clients who are going through large disputes, especially in divorce. Don't lose business to non-lawyer mediators. Offer there services so that clients can choose what they need without finding a new representative.


5. Cyber Crime. Not all crime takes place on the streets anymore. Hacking has led to more allegations of crime online. The law in this area is new and most attorneys aren't familiar with it. Stand out from the crowd by identifying your practice as one that understands.


6. Startups. This isn't so much a practice specialty as a specific client base. Startup businesses need legal help with all the same things as a regular company but they're often intimidating by hourly rates. Offer alternative fee structures, such as a monthly subscription model, for start up companies and you may find yourself with a larger client base.


7. Privacy Law. Internet privacy is a dynamic area of law that has undergone significant change recently. Consumers worry about it, legislators worry about it, but not a lot of people know how to handle it. This hot practice area shows no sign of slowing so dive in and carve yourself out a specialty.

Related Resources:

• Health Care, Energy Among 'Hot' Legal Practices (FindLaw's Strategist)
• New Practice Area Alert: The WARN Act Is Coming (FindLaw's Strategist)
• Law Firm's Free Divorce Offer Makes Headlines (FindLaw's Strategist)