Pacific Justice Institute Attorney Directory
Brief Descriptions of Legal Areas [~Areas of Law Info]
Administrative Law
Administrative law encompasses laws and legal principles governing the administration and regulation of city, county, state and federal government agencies.
Admiralty/Maritime
Admiralty and Maritime Lawyers specialize in the area of law governing navigation and shipping not only in U.S. tidal waters, but also any waters within the United States used for navigation (navigable waters).
Adoption
Adoption law falls under Family Law and is mainly governed by the states. Adoption law requires adoption lawyers to establish a process by which a legal parent-child relationship is created between individuals not biologically parent and child (adoption process).
The legal procedure by which a formal legal adoption occurs differs from state to state. An adoption lawyer specializing in adoptions knows the particular procedures and laws of the state in which you live. With the assistance and representation by the adoption lawyers, you can be better assured that all the procedures are properly followed in the adoption process to make the adoption legal and binding.
Agriculture/Livestock
Agriculture law considers the role of government in agriculture as well as transaction issues such as contracts, leasing, marketing and storing of commodities, issues confronting landowners and the farming and livestock industries.
Antitrust Trade Regulation
Antitrust laws protect trade and commerce from unlawful restraints and other unfair business practices, such as price-fixing conspiracies, corporate mergers designed to reduce competition or other predatory acts designed to gain or maintain a monopoly.
Appellate
After a decision is rendered in a trial by a trial judge or jury, the party who loses has the right to have it reviewed by a higher court. Appellate Law consists of the rules and practices by which higher courts review lower court judgments.
Arbitration
Arbitration is one of the two most common methods of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), with Mediation being the other. Arbitration is the process by which an experienced legal professional hears a dispute and makes a ruling concerning the dispute.
Art
Any artist who enters into business relationships to show, sell, commission, or reproduce their art is likely to benefit from occasionally meeting with an art attorney. The preferred way to meet is before you formalize agreements, sign dotted lines, or shake hands.
Asset Protection
Asset protection is implementing preventative measures to protect assets before a lawsuit. Methods of asset protection are constantly changing.
Auto/Trucking Accident
Auto accident lawyers have the knowledge and experience necessary to seek damages an accident victim is entitled to. Laws differ from state to state but it is always advised to contact your auto accident lawyers as soon as possible. Statute of limitations varies depending on where the auto accident occurred, so the longer a person waits to seek damages, the greater chance of losing part, or all, of the award there is. An auto accident lawyer will make sure a proper and thorough investigation is performed. Even in the event that you think you may be partially or completely liable for the accident, it is still advised to contact your auto accident lawyer. Legal advice and options can be decided upon and damages can still be recovered if other parties are also partially at fault for the auto accident. Auto accidents involve insurance matters, as well as state laws and any misstep in the process after the accident can end up being very costly.
Aviation
Aviation law governs the operation of aircraft and the maintenance of aviation facilities. Both federal and state governments have enacted statutes and created administrative agencies to regulate air traffic.
Banking & Finance
Banking attorneys help you with State and Federal laws pertaining to the regulation of banks and financial institutions including establishment of the institutions, day-to-day operations, and banking including electronic and international banking.
Bankruptcy
Bankruptcy attorneys help you find a legal way to wipe out debts by liquidating assets and distributing them among creditors or resolve them by developing a court-approved reorganization or other repayment plan.
Business Law and Litigation
The area of law that provides assistance in the preparation and presentation of a lawsuit or other resort to the courts to determine a legal question or matter in business situations.
Business law attorneys can help you in different aspects of your business law needs including rules, statutes, codes, and regulations which govern commercial relationships and provide a legal framework within which business may be conducted and managed.
Catastrophic/Serious Injury
Catastrophic injury law falls under Tort Law. It involves a civil law suit for a lump sum monetary settlement or on-going compensation for a catastrophic injury suffered by the victim.
Child Custody
Civil Law
Civil law (municipal law) relates to the relationships of contract and exchange between private parties (individuals, businesses or individuals and businesses), such as marriage, divorce, buying and selling property, contracts and warranties, etc.
Civil Rights
Civil rights law is the area of law protecting those rights guaranteed by the Bill of Rights, the 13th and 14th Amendments to the Constitution, including the right to due process, equal treatment under the law of all people regarding enjoyment of life.
Class Action
A class action is a case brought against an entity whose actions have damaged a group of people in a similar way. A class proponent who has been injured may bring a class action on behalf of everyone who was harmed, with class members joining later on.
Do you feel you have a claim as part of a class action? Are you wondering if you should file a class action or an individual lawsuit? A class action lawyer specializing in class actions can advise you on whether a class action or an individual lawsuit is best for your case. The class action lawyer will also advise you on what steps you need to take to file your class action if that's the best course of action for you.
Collections - Creditor Rights
Collection attorneys give assistance to creditors in pursuing their debtors.
Commercial Litigation
Commercial law is the body of law which governs the broad areas of business, commerce, and consumer transactions. Commercial law regulates corporate contracts, hiring practices, and the manufacture and sales of consumer goods.
The broad area of law that deals with resolving disputes in commercial settings stemming from professional and commercial relationships through alternative dispute resolution methods and court trials.
Consult with a commercial litigation lawyer immediately if you are party to litigation on any commercial matter including general or government contract disputes, employment contracts, restrictive covenants, unfair competition and other business torts.
Communications
Communications law encompasses laws regulating radio and TV broadcasting to assure satisfactory service and to prevent chaos.
Computer and Technology
The area of law dealing with the scientific technology involving the production or use of devices especially in the fields of electronics and computers.
Constitutional
Constitutional law deals with the interpretation and implementation of the United States Constitution. As the Constitution is the foundation of the United States, Constitutional law deals with some of the fundamental relationships within our society.
Construction
Construction lawyers deal with all legal issues relating to the construction process from land acquisition and project financing to post-construction claims settlement.
If you are involved in a construction project, you should consult with a construction lawyer. You don't even necessarily have to involved with a commercial construction dispute to benefit from a construction lawyer's counsel.
Consumer Protection
Consumer law is the set of laws passed by Congress and enforced by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) that protect consumers from such practices as to unscrupulous advertising, marketing, business and financial practices, as well as fraud.
Contract
Contract lawyers can assist with drafting the contracts and in any litigation for breach of contract suits, enforcing agreements, and fraud.
Copyright
If you are an artist, photographer, designer, writer, illustrator, software developer, songwriter, or anyone that creates original works, a copyright attorney can help you determine your rights with respect to the works you create and your ability to make money licensing those rights. Alternatively, if you frequently use or publish works created by others, an attorney can help you sort out the permissions and licensing issues to keep you from infringing another’s rights.
Corporate Law
Corporate law lawyers focus on the legal methods of obtaining an official charter or articles of incorporation from the state for an organization.
If you are facing litigation, it's obvious you need to retain a corporate law lawyer right away. Even if you aren't faced with litigation, a corporate law lawyer can provide valuable advice and assistance you in drafting business plans.
CPS - Family
Family law deals with family relations. Family law encompasses such areas as: adoption, child custody and visitation, children's rights, child support, spousal support, separation agreements, civilian and military divorce and other areas. Many lawyers specialize in legal help dealing with Child Protective Services.
Criminal Law
Unlike civil law, which involves law suits between two or more private entities, criminal lawyers represent clients who are being prosecuted by the state or federal government for an act that has been classified as a crime.
Many criminal lawyers will arrange payment plans for clients who cannot afford to pay legal fees up front.
Discrimination
Discrimination attorneys represent victims of unfair or unequal treatment based upon their race, gender, national origin, disability, and other protected classes.
Divorce
Legal Assistance with divorce covers Alimony, Child Support, Custody, Visitation,and other areas dealing with divorce.
Driving (DUI/DWI)
Drunk driving defense attorneys handle DUI related cases. DUI is when someone drives or is in actual physical control of a motor vehicle and is under the influence of alcohol, controlled substance to the extent that his/her mental faculties are impaired.
Domestic
Education
The area of law relating to schools and that deals mainly with schools, school systems and school boards charged with educating our children.
Elder Law
Elder law is the area of law, statutes, regulations and decisions, which impact on the lives of older Americans. Elder law spans and encompasses elder care planning issues, estate planning, long-term care needs, planning for incapacity and other needs.
For issues like elder abuse, fraud recovery and various forms of neglect, it's obvious you'll need a elder law lawyer. However, there are a variety of reasons consulting with an elder law lawyer would save you and your loved ones a lot of money, grief and legal hassles.
Election Law
The law of politics and the politics of law: election law, campaign finance, legislation, voting rights, initiatives, redistricting, and the Supreme Court nomination process.
Eminent Domain/Condemnation
Condemnation is the process of taking private property through the power of eminent domain. Eminent domain is the right states and localities and the federal government have to condemn and force the sale of private property.
Energy/Public Utility
The area of law dealing with usable power (as heat or electricity) and the resources for producing such power.
Entertainment and Sports
Entertainment attorneys deal with the broad legal arena of the entertainment and sports industries.
Environmental
Environmental law encompasses these federal enactments that are aimed to protect the environment against both public and private actions that fail to take account of costs or harm inflicted on the eco-system (environment).
Estate Planning
Estate planning lawyers deal with planning for the inevitability of death, such as obtaining life insurance to pay for the costs of a funeral, preparing a Will, a trust and other related documents, as well as wealth management and asset protection.
The advice and direction of your estate planning lawyer will be essential to implementing an estate plan that both disposes of your assets according to your wishes and meets your other personal objectives.
Federal Law
Federal law covers the procedures that federal, state and local government agencies are expected to follow when making rules, issuing licenses and permits, conducting investigations and imposing penalties.
Franchise
Franchise attorneys deal with the area of law revolving around the right or license that is granted to an individual or group to market a company's goods or services in a particular territory under the company's trademark, trade name, or service mark.
General Practice
General practice is defined as a lawyer or firm that covers a broad range of overlapping areas of law.
Guardianship
Elder law is the area of law, statutes, regulations and decisions, which impact on the lives of older Americans. Elder law spans and encompasses elder care planning issues, estate planning, long-term care needs, planning for incapacity and other needs.
For issues like elder abuse, fraud recovery and various forms of neglect, it's obvious you'll need a elder law lawyer. However, there are a variety of reasons consulting with an elder law lawyer would save you and your loved ones a lot of money, grief and legal hassles.
Health
Health and health care law are federal and state laws that encompass public health, mental health, private health insurance matters, contracts, administrative law, financing, torts, corporation, antitrust, and ethics. Health law is one of those areas of the law where an experienced health lawyer is highly recommended, in order for you to have a fair trial and to negotiate the settlement that you deserve. A health lawyer will be able to assess your case in the first meeting and advise you of your rights and options for litigating the case. If you are defending against a lawsuit, you should definitely retain a health lawyer or you could end up paying out a lot more than you anticipated.
Immigration
U.S. Immigration lawyers deal with issues relating to foreign nationals who come to this country either temporarily or permanently, including the associated legal rights, duties, and obligations of aliens in the United States. Consulting with an immigration lawyer can assure you that your immigration matters will be handled in the best possible way they can be in your case. Immigration lawyers specifically specialize in immigration laws, including all relevant updates, and an immigration lawyer can help you overcome and avoid many legal issues and simplify the immigration process as much as possible.
Insurance
A Insurance attorney deals with insurance and insurance carriers. Insurance is coverage by contract whereby for an agreed payment of a premium one party agrees to indemnify or guarantee another against loss by a specified contingency or loss.
If you have questions relating to any of these or other insurance law related issues, use the search function on this page to find a qualified insurance attorney that's right for you.
Intellectual Property
Intellectual property attorneys specialize in the area of law dealing with an idea, invention, trade secret, process, program, data, formula, patent, copyright, or trademark.
International Law
A group of laws, rules, or principles that are based on custom, treaties, or legislation and that control or affect the duties and rights of sovereign nations in relation to each other.
Whether or not you are currently facing a legal situation, retaining an international lawyer will always benefit you, especially if you do business with other countries. International lawyers understand the procedural and substantive laws in different countries.
An International law lawyer can provide you with professional legal counsel and litigation representation.
Juvenile Law
The area of law that deals with criminal law involving juveniles (persons not old enough to be held responsible for criminal acts (typically under 18 years of age)). The main goal of the juvenile justice system is rehabilitation rather than punishment.
Labor and Employment
Employment lawyers deal with a broad area of employment law including all areas of the employer/employee relationship except negotiation and the collective bargaining process, which are covered by employment law. If you are involved with a dispute involving such issues as wrongful termination, sexual harassment, discrimination (gender, age, religion, disability, pregnancy, national origin, race), wage and overtime issues, employment contracts, negotiation of severance packages, or public sector employee issues you should immediately consult with a qualified employment lawyer.
Businesses will also typically retain an employment lawyer to provide counsel on the businesses rights and options under labor and employment laws and provide advocacy, including representation in mediations, arbitrations, and litigation. Retaining a employment lawyer for these and other similar purposes will save businesses a lot of legal hassles down the road.
Landlord/Tenant
Landlord-tenant law governs the issues surrounding the rental of commercial and residential real property (rental property).
Lemon Law
You have rights under the auto lemon law. Knowing these rights will maximize your chances of successfully asserting your rights. Keep good records of all the repairs you've had done, and check your vehicle's warranty in order to inform yourself about the proper steps to take to guarantee legal recourse. Be sure to try to resolve the matter with the automobile dealer, then the manufacturer.
Mediation
Mediation attorneys deal with mediation, which is one of the two most common methods of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), with Arbitration being the other.
Medical Malpractice
Medical malpractice lawyers deal with negligence committed by a professional health care provider whose performance of duties deviates from a standard of practice of those with similar training and experience, resulting in harm to a patient or patients.
The best thing to do if you suspect that you or a loved one has suffered negligence at the hands of a medical professional is to consult with a medical malpractice lawyer right away.
Mergers and Acquisitions
The area of law that involves the acquisition of or merging of a corporation of one or more others and/or any of various methods of combining two or more organizations.
Military
Military attorneys deal with the body of laws and rules of conduct administered by military courts and governed by federal law for the discipline, trial, and punishment of military personnel.
Mining
General mining law practice, mining claims, mineral leasing, mineral rights, mineral estates, surface use, mining partnerships, title opinions, and other related areas.
Native American Affairs
Natural Resources
Non-Profit Corporations and Associations
Associations and non-profit organizations are entities that are not formed with an intent to make a profit, but for religious, charitable, educational, literary or scientific purposes.
Nursing Home Neglect
Nursing home neglect attorneys represent elderly or otherwise dependant adults who have been injured and families of those who have died from injuries resulting from neglect or abuse at the hands of nursing homes, in-home caregivers, medical providers, or any other person or business responsible for caring for the elderly or otherwise incompetent. If this describes your situation, consult with a nursing home neglect lawyer right away.
Oil and Gas
Patents Trademarks and Copyrights
Because patents, trademarks and copyrights all fall under the broad area of intellectual property law, if you plan on obtaining a patent, trademark or copyright it is is in your best interest to consult with a qualified trademark lawyer, patent lawyer or copyright lawyers to help you properly file for protection of your intellectual property. If you plan on licensing someone else's copyright, trademark, patent or other form of intellectual property, a trademark lawyer can assure that everyone's legal rights are protected under intellectual property law.
Personal Injury
Personal injury attorneys deal with what falls under Tort Law. Personal injury involves civil law cases where you are trying to obtain compensation for an injury you sustained to your person. Personal Injury attorneys help you with any type of letigation involving physical injuries to your person. Personal injury attorneys help you with cases that could arise from being involved in an automobile accident, a railroad accident, airline or other common carrier accident, a construction or other workplace accident, being injured as a result of a dangerous or otherwise unsafe product and other injury-causing situations.
Privacy Law
Probate
Probate attorneys deal with the legal process during which the will is validated; the assets of the deceased are inventoried; and all debts, creditor claims (including applicable lawsuits) and taxes are paid.
Products Liability
Products liability falls under Tort Law. It deals with the liability of any party or all parties involved with the manufacture of a product for damages caused by it. There are no federal products liability laws, only state statutory laws governing it.
Professional Licensing
Professional/Legal Malpractice
Legal malpractice attorneys specialize in the area of law dealing with lawyers and other professionals acts below the standard of care.
Qui Tam (Whistleblower)
Railroad/FELA
Real Estate
Real estate transactions are governed by federal statutes, as well as state statutory and common law. Real estate law encompasses these state a statutes and laws, as well as property law matters. This can also include what is called real estate tax deferred exchange as an alternative to a common sale and purchase transaction regulated by the IRS Code §1031.
Securities
Securities attorneys deal with shares of stock, bonds and debentures issued by corporations and governments to evidence ownership and terms of payment of dividends or final pay-off.
Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination, which violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 in employment settings and under Title IX of the 1972 Education Act where it relates to sexual harassment occurring in educational settings.
Social Security Disability
Social security attorneys help those who, due to a disability expected to last for at least a year, require a program of public provision for the economic security and social welfare of the individual and his or her family.
Tax Law
Tax litigation, like all litigation, involves conflicts over law or facts that can be intelligently argued either way. It's just that the issues pertain to tax matters and the other disputing party is the state or federal government. Taxation involves the collection of income taxes (corporate and personal), and taxes on real or personal property acquired through personal and professional efforts.
Tort Law
Torts are civil wrongs recognized by law as grounds for a lawsuit. These wrongs result in an injury or harm constituting the basis for a claim by the injured party. While some torts are also crimes punishable with imprisonment, the primary aim of tort law is to provide relief for the damages incurred and deter others from committingthe same harms. The injured person may sue for an injunction to prevent the continuation of the tortious conduct or for monetary damages.
Among the types of damages the injured party may recover are: loss of earnings capacity, pain and suffering, and reasonable medical expenses. They include both present and future expected losses. There are numerous specific torts including trespass, assault, battery, negligence, products liability, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
Transportation
Transportation law encompasses federal and state laws pertaining to highways, mass transit, aviation, rail, maritime and motor carriers where it relates to the conveyance of passengers or goods especially as a commercial enterprise.
Trial
Trial law is the determination of an accused person’s innocence or guilt by means of the judicial examination of the issues of the case in accordance with the law of the land. Trial law deals not only with criminal cases, but civil law cases, as well.
Water
Wills/Trusts
Trusts are a fictitious legal entity that owns assets for the benefit of a third person (beneficiary). The grantor of the trust is the one who set up and gave money to the Trust. The trustee is the person charged with the safekeeping and distribution of the trust.
Workers Compensation
Insurance that the employer is required by law to carry in case an employee is injured on the job, becomes ill due to circumstances surrounding their job, becomes temporarily or permanently disabled, or even if death results from the job.
Wrongful Death
Wrongful death law is an area of law that seeks to provide financial compensation to the heirs of a person whose death was caused by the negligent, willful, or wrongful act, neglect, omission, or default of another.
Zoning/Land Development
Administrative law encompasses laws and legal principles governing the administration and regulation of city, county, state and federal government agencies.
Admiralty/Maritime
Admiralty and Maritime Lawyers specialize in the area of law governing navigation and shipping not only in U.S. tidal waters, but also any waters within the United States used for navigation (navigable waters).
Adoption
Adoption law falls under Family Law and is mainly governed by the states. Adoption law requires adoption lawyers to establish a process by which a legal parent-child relationship is created between individuals not biologically parent and child (adoption process).
The legal procedure by which a formal legal adoption occurs differs from state to state. An adoption lawyer specializing in adoptions knows the particular procedures and laws of the state in which you live. With the assistance and representation by the adoption lawyers, you can be better assured that all the procedures are properly followed in the adoption process to make the adoption legal and binding.
Agriculture/Livestock
Agriculture law considers the role of government in agriculture as well as transaction issues such as contracts, leasing, marketing and storing of commodities, issues confronting landowners and the farming and livestock industries.
Antitrust Trade Regulation
Antitrust laws protect trade and commerce from unlawful restraints and other unfair business practices, such as price-fixing conspiracies, corporate mergers designed to reduce competition or other predatory acts designed to gain or maintain a monopoly.
Appellate
After a decision is rendered in a trial by a trial judge or jury, the party who loses has the right to have it reviewed by a higher court. Appellate Law consists of the rules and practices by which higher courts review lower court judgments.
Arbitration
Arbitration is one of the two most common methods of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), with Mediation being the other. Arbitration is the process by which an experienced legal professional hears a dispute and makes a ruling concerning the dispute.
Art
Any artist who enters into business relationships to show, sell, commission, or reproduce their art is likely to benefit from occasionally meeting with an art attorney. The preferred way to meet is before you formalize agreements, sign dotted lines, or shake hands.
Asset Protection
Asset protection is implementing preventative measures to protect assets before a lawsuit. Methods of asset protection are constantly changing.
Auto/Trucking Accident
Auto accident lawyers have the knowledge and experience necessary to seek damages an accident victim is entitled to. Laws differ from state to state but it is always advised to contact your auto accident lawyers as soon as possible. Statute of limitations varies depending on where the auto accident occurred, so the longer a person waits to seek damages, the greater chance of losing part, or all, of the award there is. An auto accident lawyer will make sure a proper and thorough investigation is performed. Even in the event that you think you may be partially or completely liable for the accident, it is still advised to contact your auto accident lawyer. Legal advice and options can be decided upon and damages can still be recovered if other parties are also partially at fault for the auto accident. Auto accidents involve insurance matters, as well as state laws and any misstep in the process after the accident can end up being very costly.
Aviation
Aviation law governs the operation of aircraft and the maintenance of aviation facilities. Both federal and state governments have enacted statutes and created administrative agencies to regulate air traffic.
Banking & Finance
Banking attorneys help you with State and Federal laws pertaining to the regulation of banks and financial institutions including establishment of the institutions, day-to-day operations, and banking including electronic and international banking.
Bankruptcy
Bankruptcy attorneys help you find a legal way to wipe out debts by liquidating assets and distributing them among creditors or resolve them by developing a court-approved reorganization or other repayment plan.
Business Law and Litigation
The area of law that provides assistance in the preparation and presentation of a lawsuit or other resort to the courts to determine a legal question or matter in business situations.
Business law attorneys can help you in different aspects of your business law needs including rules, statutes, codes, and regulations which govern commercial relationships and provide a legal framework within which business may be conducted and managed.
Catastrophic/Serious Injury
Catastrophic injury law falls under Tort Law. It involves a civil law suit for a lump sum monetary settlement or on-going compensation for a catastrophic injury suffered by the victim.
Child Custody
Civil Law
Civil law (municipal law) relates to the relationships of contract and exchange between private parties (individuals, businesses or individuals and businesses), such as marriage, divorce, buying and selling property, contracts and warranties, etc.
Civil Rights
Civil rights law is the area of law protecting those rights guaranteed by the Bill of Rights, the 13th and 14th Amendments to the Constitution, including the right to due process, equal treatment under the law of all people regarding enjoyment of life.
Class Action
A class action is a case brought against an entity whose actions have damaged a group of people in a similar way. A class proponent who has been injured may bring a class action on behalf of everyone who was harmed, with class members joining later on.
Do you feel you have a claim as part of a class action? Are you wondering if you should file a class action or an individual lawsuit? A class action lawyer specializing in class actions can advise you on whether a class action or an individual lawsuit is best for your case. The class action lawyer will also advise you on what steps you need to take to file your class action if that's the best course of action for you.
Collections - Creditor Rights
Collection attorneys give assistance to creditors in pursuing their debtors.
Commercial Litigation
Commercial law is the body of law which governs the broad areas of business, commerce, and consumer transactions. Commercial law regulates corporate contracts, hiring practices, and the manufacture and sales of consumer goods.
The broad area of law that deals with resolving disputes in commercial settings stemming from professional and commercial relationships through alternative dispute resolution methods and court trials.
Consult with a commercial litigation lawyer immediately if you are party to litigation on any commercial matter including general or government contract disputes, employment contracts, restrictive covenants, unfair competition and other business torts.
Communications
Communications law encompasses laws regulating radio and TV broadcasting to assure satisfactory service and to prevent chaos.
Computer and Technology
The area of law dealing with the scientific technology involving the production or use of devices especially in the fields of electronics and computers.
Constitutional
Constitutional law deals with the interpretation and implementation of the United States Constitution. As the Constitution is the foundation of the United States, Constitutional law deals with some of the fundamental relationships within our society.
Construction
Construction lawyers deal with all legal issues relating to the construction process from land acquisition and project financing to post-construction claims settlement.
If you are involved in a construction project, you should consult with a construction lawyer. You don't even necessarily have to involved with a commercial construction dispute to benefit from a construction lawyer's counsel.
Consumer Protection
Consumer law is the set of laws passed by Congress and enforced by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) that protect consumers from such practices as to unscrupulous advertising, marketing, business and financial practices, as well as fraud.
Contract
Contract lawyers can assist with drafting the contracts and in any litigation for breach of contract suits, enforcing agreements, and fraud.
Copyright
If you are an artist, photographer, designer, writer, illustrator, software developer, songwriter, or anyone that creates original works, a copyright attorney can help you determine your rights with respect to the works you create and your ability to make money licensing those rights. Alternatively, if you frequently use or publish works created by others, an attorney can help you sort out the permissions and licensing issues to keep you from infringing another’s rights.
Corporate Law
Corporate law lawyers focus on the legal methods of obtaining an official charter or articles of incorporation from the state for an organization.
If you are facing litigation, it's obvious you need to retain a corporate law lawyer right away. Even if you aren't faced with litigation, a corporate law lawyer can provide valuable advice and assistance you in drafting business plans.
CPS - Family
Family law deals with family relations. Family law encompasses such areas as: adoption, child custody and visitation, children's rights, child support, spousal support, separation agreements, civilian and military divorce and other areas. Many lawyers specialize in legal help dealing with Child Protective Services.
Criminal Law
Unlike civil law, which involves law suits between two or more private entities, criminal lawyers represent clients who are being prosecuted by the state or federal government for an act that has been classified as a crime.
Many criminal lawyers will arrange payment plans for clients who cannot afford to pay legal fees up front.
Discrimination
Discrimination attorneys represent victims of unfair or unequal treatment based upon their race, gender, national origin, disability, and other protected classes.
Divorce
Legal Assistance with divorce covers Alimony, Child Support, Custody, Visitation,and other areas dealing with divorce.
Driving (DUI/DWI)
Drunk driving defense attorneys handle DUI related cases. DUI is when someone drives or is in actual physical control of a motor vehicle and is under the influence of alcohol, controlled substance to the extent that his/her mental faculties are impaired.
Domestic
Education
The area of law relating to schools and that deals mainly with schools, school systems and school boards charged with educating our children.
Elder Law
Elder law is the area of law, statutes, regulations and decisions, which impact on the lives of older Americans. Elder law spans and encompasses elder care planning issues, estate planning, long-term care needs, planning for incapacity and other needs.
For issues like elder abuse, fraud recovery and various forms of neglect, it's obvious you'll need a elder law lawyer. However, there are a variety of reasons consulting with an elder law lawyer would save you and your loved ones a lot of money, grief and legal hassles.
Election Law
The law of politics and the politics of law: election law, campaign finance, legislation, voting rights, initiatives, redistricting, and the Supreme Court nomination process.
Eminent Domain/Condemnation
Condemnation is the process of taking private property through the power of eminent domain. Eminent domain is the right states and localities and the federal government have to condemn and force the sale of private property.
Energy/Public Utility
The area of law dealing with usable power (as heat or electricity) and the resources for producing such power.
Entertainment and Sports
Entertainment attorneys deal with the broad legal arena of the entertainment and sports industries.
Environmental
Environmental law encompasses these federal enactments that are aimed to protect the environment against both public and private actions that fail to take account of costs or harm inflicted on the eco-system (environment).
Estate Planning
Estate planning lawyers deal with planning for the inevitability of death, such as obtaining life insurance to pay for the costs of a funeral, preparing a Will, a trust and other related documents, as well as wealth management and asset protection.
The advice and direction of your estate planning lawyer will be essential to implementing an estate plan that both disposes of your assets according to your wishes and meets your other personal objectives.
Federal Law
Federal law covers the procedures that federal, state and local government agencies are expected to follow when making rules, issuing licenses and permits, conducting investigations and imposing penalties.
Franchise
Franchise attorneys deal with the area of law revolving around the right or license that is granted to an individual or group to market a company's goods or services in a particular territory under the company's trademark, trade name, or service mark.
General Practice
General practice is defined as a lawyer or firm that covers a broad range of overlapping areas of law.
Guardianship
Elder law is the area of law, statutes, regulations and decisions, which impact on the lives of older Americans. Elder law spans and encompasses elder care planning issues, estate planning, long-term care needs, planning for incapacity and other needs.
For issues like elder abuse, fraud recovery and various forms of neglect, it's obvious you'll need a elder law lawyer. However, there are a variety of reasons consulting with an elder law lawyer would save you and your loved ones a lot of money, grief and legal hassles.
Health
Health and health care law are federal and state laws that encompass public health, mental health, private health insurance matters, contracts, administrative law, financing, torts, corporation, antitrust, and ethics. Health law is one of those areas of the law where an experienced health lawyer is highly recommended, in order for you to have a fair trial and to negotiate the settlement that you deserve. A health lawyer will be able to assess your case in the first meeting and advise you of your rights and options for litigating the case. If you are defending against a lawsuit, you should definitely retain a health lawyer or you could end up paying out a lot more than you anticipated.
Immigration
U.S. Immigration lawyers deal with issues relating to foreign nationals who come to this country either temporarily or permanently, including the associated legal rights, duties, and obligations of aliens in the United States. Consulting with an immigration lawyer can assure you that your immigration matters will be handled in the best possible way they can be in your case. Immigration lawyers specifically specialize in immigration laws, including all relevant updates, and an immigration lawyer can help you overcome and avoid many legal issues and simplify the immigration process as much as possible.
Insurance
A Insurance attorney deals with insurance and insurance carriers. Insurance is coverage by contract whereby for an agreed payment of a premium one party agrees to indemnify or guarantee another against loss by a specified contingency or loss.
If you have questions relating to any of these or other insurance law related issues, use the search function on this page to find a qualified insurance attorney that's right for you.
Intellectual Property
Intellectual property attorneys specialize in the area of law dealing with an idea, invention, trade secret, process, program, data, formula, patent, copyright, or trademark.
International Law
A group of laws, rules, or principles that are based on custom, treaties, or legislation and that control or affect the duties and rights of sovereign nations in relation to each other.
Whether or not you are currently facing a legal situation, retaining an international lawyer will always benefit you, especially if you do business with other countries. International lawyers understand the procedural and substantive laws in different countries.
An International law lawyer can provide you with professional legal counsel and litigation representation.
Juvenile Law
The area of law that deals with criminal law involving juveniles (persons not old enough to be held responsible for criminal acts (typically under 18 years of age)). The main goal of the juvenile justice system is rehabilitation rather than punishment.
Labor and Employment
Employment lawyers deal with a broad area of employment law including all areas of the employer/employee relationship except negotiation and the collective bargaining process, which are covered by employment law. If you are involved with a dispute involving such issues as wrongful termination, sexual harassment, discrimination (gender, age, religion, disability, pregnancy, national origin, race), wage and overtime issues, employment contracts, negotiation of severance packages, or public sector employee issues you should immediately consult with a qualified employment lawyer.
Businesses will also typically retain an employment lawyer to provide counsel on the businesses rights and options under labor and employment laws and provide advocacy, including representation in mediations, arbitrations, and litigation. Retaining a employment lawyer for these and other similar purposes will save businesses a lot of legal hassles down the road.
Landlord/Tenant
Landlord-tenant law governs the issues surrounding the rental of commercial and residential real property (rental property).
Lemon Law
You have rights under the auto lemon law. Knowing these rights will maximize your chances of successfully asserting your rights. Keep good records of all the repairs you've had done, and check your vehicle's warranty in order to inform yourself about the proper steps to take to guarantee legal recourse. Be sure to try to resolve the matter with the automobile dealer, then the manufacturer.
Mediation
Mediation attorneys deal with mediation, which is one of the two most common methods of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), with Arbitration being the other.
Medical Malpractice
Medical malpractice lawyers deal with negligence committed by a professional health care provider whose performance of duties deviates from a standard of practice of those with similar training and experience, resulting in harm to a patient or patients.
The best thing to do if you suspect that you or a loved one has suffered negligence at the hands of a medical professional is to consult with a medical malpractice lawyer right away.
Mergers and Acquisitions
The area of law that involves the acquisition of or merging of a corporation of one or more others and/or any of various methods of combining two or more organizations.
Military
Military attorneys deal with the body of laws and rules of conduct administered by military courts and governed by federal law for the discipline, trial, and punishment of military personnel.
Mining
General mining law practice, mining claims, mineral leasing, mineral rights, mineral estates, surface use, mining partnerships, title opinions, and other related areas.
Native American Affairs
Natural Resources
Non-Profit Corporations and Associations
Associations and non-profit organizations are entities that are not formed with an intent to make a profit, but for religious, charitable, educational, literary or scientific purposes.
Nursing Home Neglect
Nursing home neglect attorneys represent elderly or otherwise dependant adults who have been injured and families of those who have died from injuries resulting from neglect or abuse at the hands of nursing homes, in-home caregivers, medical providers, or any other person or business responsible for caring for the elderly or otherwise incompetent. If this describes your situation, consult with a nursing home neglect lawyer right away.
Oil and Gas
Patents Trademarks and Copyrights
Because patents, trademarks and copyrights all fall under the broad area of intellectual property law, if you plan on obtaining a patent, trademark or copyright it is is in your best interest to consult with a qualified trademark lawyer, patent lawyer or copyright lawyers to help you properly file for protection of your intellectual property. If you plan on licensing someone else's copyright, trademark, patent or other form of intellectual property, a trademark lawyer can assure that everyone's legal rights are protected under intellectual property law.
Personal Injury
Personal injury attorneys deal with what falls under Tort Law. Personal injury involves civil law cases where you are trying to obtain compensation for an injury you sustained to your person. Personal Injury attorneys help you with any type of letigation involving physical injuries to your person. Personal injury attorneys help you with cases that could arise from being involved in an automobile accident, a railroad accident, airline or other common carrier accident, a construction or other workplace accident, being injured as a result of a dangerous or otherwise unsafe product and other injury-causing situations.
Privacy Law
Probate
Probate attorneys deal with the legal process during which the will is validated; the assets of the deceased are inventoried; and all debts, creditor claims (including applicable lawsuits) and taxes are paid.
Products Liability
Products liability falls under Tort Law. It deals with the liability of any party or all parties involved with the manufacture of a product for damages caused by it. There are no federal products liability laws, only state statutory laws governing it.
Professional Licensing
Professional/Legal Malpractice
Legal malpractice attorneys specialize in the area of law dealing with lawyers and other professionals acts below the standard of care.
Qui Tam (Whistleblower)
Railroad/FELA
Real Estate
Real estate transactions are governed by federal statutes, as well as state statutory and common law. Real estate law encompasses these state a statutes and laws, as well as property law matters. This can also include what is called real estate tax deferred exchange as an alternative to a common sale and purchase transaction regulated by the IRS Code §1031.
Securities
Securities attorneys deal with shares of stock, bonds and debentures issued by corporations and governments to evidence ownership and terms of payment of dividends or final pay-off.
Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination, which violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 in employment settings and under Title IX of the 1972 Education Act where it relates to sexual harassment occurring in educational settings.
Social Security Disability
Social security attorneys help those who, due to a disability expected to last for at least a year, require a program of public provision for the economic security and social welfare of the individual and his or her family.
Tax Law
Tax litigation, like all litigation, involves conflicts over law or facts that can be intelligently argued either way. It's just that the issues pertain to tax matters and the other disputing party is the state or federal government. Taxation involves the collection of income taxes (corporate and personal), and taxes on real or personal property acquired through personal and professional efforts.
Tort Law
Torts are civil wrongs recognized by law as grounds for a lawsuit. These wrongs result in an injury or harm constituting the basis for a claim by the injured party. While some torts are also crimes punishable with imprisonment, the primary aim of tort law is to provide relief for the damages incurred and deter others from committingthe same harms. The injured person may sue for an injunction to prevent the continuation of the tortious conduct or for monetary damages.
Among the types of damages the injured party may recover are: loss of earnings capacity, pain and suffering, and reasonable medical expenses. They include both present and future expected losses. There are numerous specific torts including trespass, assault, battery, negligence, products liability, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
Transportation
Transportation law encompasses federal and state laws pertaining to highways, mass transit, aviation, rail, maritime and motor carriers where it relates to the conveyance of passengers or goods especially as a commercial enterprise.
Trial
Trial law is the determination of an accused person’s innocence or guilt by means of the judicial examination of the issues of the case in accordance with the law of the land. Trial law deals not only with criminal cases, but civil law cases, as well.
Water
Wills/Trusts
Trusts are a fictitious legal entity that owns assets for the benefit of a third person (beneficiary). The grantor of the trust is the one who set up and gave money to the Trust. The trustee is the person charged with the safekeeping and distribution of the trust.
Workers Compensation
Insurance that the employer is required by law to carry in case an employee is injured on the job, becomes ill due to circumstances surrounding their job, becomes temporarily or permanently disabled, or even if death results from the job.
Wrongful Death
Wrongful death law is an area of law that seeks to provide financial compensation to the heirs of a person whose death was caused by the negligent, willful, or wrongful act, neglect, omission, or default of another.
Zoning/Land Development
