Law Firms

Designed to provide clients with legal assistance, representation, and advice, law firms are available for a number of specialty areas.  Although licensed to practice in all areas of law, law firms employ lawyers who specialize in one specific part of the legal system.   Many legal professionals choose to specialize in a certain area due to the amount of knowledge that is needed of each field in order to properly assist clients.  Lawyers and attorneys must first choose between common, criminal, and civil law.  While the major difference between these fields is in basic formality requirements, certain attorneys spend more time in court defending or prosecuting clients than others. 

There are options for candidates interested in placement within law firms, therefore these positions appeal to numerous associates.  Professionals may choose to specialize in bankruptcy; in which they protect clients and assist them with filing and completing necessary paperwork. When specializing in bankruptcy, an attorney will also carry out responsibilities for other parties affected by these claims, such as dependant children of ex-spouses.  Those who focus on labor law will work with employers or employees to ensure that both parties receive adequate representation throughout any disputes.  Trust and estate planning lawyers assist clients with planning by offering advice and drafting necessary paperwork.  Real estate law deals with all matters of land acquisition, mergers, and sales.  They oversee many aspects related to, and assist with, the closing of deals.  Other areas may include tax, divorce, patent, class action, immigration, medical malpractice, civil rights, and more. 

Law firms are commonly referred to by the size of the organization, and may be broken into three different size categories.  To be considered a “large” firm associations employ 200+ lawyers, while “small” law firms employ anywhere from 2-50.  Each facility type offers professionals a number of options.  Large firms, commonly referred to as mega firms, offer candidates a full range of legal services, because they have different departments designated for specializing in any field of law that clients may need.  These firms are often able to offer additional services to clients, and ensure adequate training of all associates.  Smaller firms, on the other hand, are able to utilize more traditional methods of practice, and allot employees more flexibility in work loads, hours, and scheduling.
 
Many law firms are small private practices, so professionals are often employed out of their homes, or small office buildings, but may also inhabit large structures as well.  Some of the biggest law firms are located in the United States, and even more occupational growth is projected through 2014.  Experts are projecting that all legal professionals including lawyers and attorneys, paralegals and legal assistants, office managers, and legal secretaries will experience continual growth, but the extent of growth will vary by occupation. 

For further employment information on law firms, please visit the following sites:

• Law.com
• American Law Sources On-Line
• How to Start a Law Practice
• LawPeriscope
• Meritas

If you are a law firm seeking candidates, or a legal candidate seeking employment, please visit iHireLegal.  We are a niche job board focusing only on positions within the legal field.