What kind of lawyer do I need?
Straight answers to the questions people actually ask when they have a legal problem: what kind of attorney handles your case, how to find one who will take it, what it costs, and what to do if no lawyer will. Pick your situation below.
By case type
Personal injuryYou need a personal injury attorney (sometimes called an injury or accident lawyer). They handle negligence claims against the at-fault party and their insurer. If your injury came from a specific source — a car crash, medical care, or a workplace — a lawyer who concentrates in that sub-area (car accident, medical malpractice, or workers’ compensation) is usually a better fit.Car accidentYou need a personal injury attorney who handles car and auto accident cases. For a minor fender-bender with no injuries you often do not need a lawyer at all; a lawyer becomes valuable when there are injuries, a serious fault dispute, an uninsured driver, or a lowball insurance offer.Family law and divorceYou need a family law (or divorce) attorney. If your situation also involves domestic violence, a protective order, or interstate custody, look for a family lawyer who specifically handles those issues. Many family lawyers offer limited-scope ("unbundled") help if you only need part of the work done.Criminal defenseYou need a criminal defense attorney. For specific charges — DUI, drug offenses, domestic violence, white-collar, or federal cases — a defense lawyer who concentrates in that area is preferable. Whatever you do, talk to a lawyer before you talk to investigators.DUI / DWIYou need a DUI/DWI defense attorney — a criminal defense lawyer who focuses on impaired driving. These cases turn on technical issues (the traffic stop, field sobriety and breath/blood testing, and chain of custody) that a specialist knows how to attack.Employment and wrongful terminationYou need an employment attorney who represents employees (not employers). For unpaid wages or overtime, look for a wage-and-hour focus; for firing or harassment, a discrimination/wrongful-termination focus. Most U.S. employment is "at will," so the key question is whether an illegal reason or an unpaid-wage violation is involved.Landlord–tenantYou need a landlord–tenant or housing attorney. For tenants, look for one who handles eviction defense, habitability, or deposit disputes; for landlords, one who handles evictions and lease enforcement. Local tenant unions and legal-aid clinics also handle many of these matters.Bankruptcy and debtYou need a bankruptcy attorney for filing relief, or a consumer-protection attorney if the core problem is illegal collection practices, debt-collector harassment, or a credit-reporting error. Many bankruptcy lawyers offer a free initial consultation to identify which path fits.ImmigrationYou need an immigration attorney. Because immigration is federal, any U.S.-licensed immigration lawyer can represent you regardless of where you live. Be cautious of non-lawyer "notarios" who are not authorized to give legal advice.Estate planning and probateYou need an estate planning attorney to create a will, trust, power of attorney, or healthcare directive, or a probate attorney to administer or contest an estate in court. Some lawyers do both. For a disputed inheritance, look for one who handles estate or trust litigation.Business and contractsYou need a business or commercial attorney. For contracts, formation, and deals, look for a transactional business lawyer; for a breach-of-contract or partnership lawsuit, a commercial litigation attorney. Specialized needs (intellectual property, employment, tax) may call for that specialist.Medical malpracticeYou need a medical malpractice attorney — a personal injury lawyer who specifically handles claims against doctors, hospitals, and other providers. These cases require medical experts and specialized procedure, so a general injury lawyer who does not handle malpractice is not the right fit.Workers’ compensationYou need a workers’ compensation attorney specifically — it is a distinct system with its own boards and rules, separate from regular personal injury court. If a third party (not your employer) caused the injury, you may also have a separate personal injury claim, which an injury lawyer would handle.
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