What Kind of Lawyer Do I Need? A Plain-English Guide
Not sure which type of attorney fits your situation? Here's a simple way to figure out what kind of lawyer you actually need, before you start calling around.
Most people don't wake up knowing the difference between a 'litigator' and a 'transactional attorney.' They just know something happened — an accident, a dispute, a document to sign — and they need to know who can help. Here's a plain-English way to think about it.
Start with what happened, not the legal label
Instead of trying to guess the legal category, describe the actual event: 'I was hurt in a car accident,' 'my landlord won't return my deposit,' 'I'm starting a business.' Nearly every practice area maps cleanly to a type of everyday problem — personal injury, landlord-tenant, business formation, and so on.
The most common practice areas people search for
Personal injury (accidents, injuries caused by someone else), family law (divorce, custody, support), criminal defense (charges, arrests), estate planning (wills, trusts), employment law (wrongful termination, wage disputes), immigration, bankruptcy, real estate, and business law cover the large majority of everyday legal questions.
When more than one area applies
Some situations touch multiple areas at once — a car accident with an insurance dispute might involve personal injury and contract law, for instance. That's normal, and it's exactly the kind of triage an initial conversation is meant to sort out.
Why a free case review helps
Rather than guessing and calling the wrong office, a short, free conversation can identify the right practice area for your situation and connect you with an independent, licensed attorney who actually handles cases like yours.
Not sure which type of lawyer you need?
Tell us what happened in plain English — a member of our staff can point you to the right practice area and, if you'd like, connect you with an independent attorney.
Get a Free Case Review