Lawyers Career Guide and Counseling

Question: Any lawyers know the best way to start a solo bankruptcy practice? Are there any lawyers out there who practice bankruptcy who could tell me how difficult it would be to start a solo bankruptcy practice and how I might go about doing this. First, is this the kind of think that I could figure out with form books and software or should I work in a firm first? Also, could I mainly do Chapter 7's or do I really need to do all kinds to stay afloat? Any helpful info by experienced bankruptcy lawyers would be greatly appreciated! I'm licensed in Mississippi if that helps.

Answer: There is a lot that law school doesn't teach about the practice of law. I would get a job with a firm for a few years if possible. It will give you basic knowledge, and can give you time to build a good reputation, the most important asset you have. There is a decent book about building a solo practice. I will look for the author's name and try to post it in an edit. I was with a large firm from 75 to 96 and have been a sole practitioner since 96, but not in bankruptcy. edit: "How to Start and Build a Law Practice, 4th ed., by Jay G. Foonberg, Chicago, IL: American Bar Association, Law Student Division, Section of Law Practice Management, 1999. This book is organized into ten parts: getting started; getting located; getting equipped; getting clients; setting fees; managing the law office; ethics and professional responsibility; resources and advice; a management checklist; and a section on quality of life. Using a "nuts and bolts" approach, the author devotes short sections within each chapter to considerations ranging from postage to insurance to Christmas cards. "

Question: What motivates lawyers to do pro bono work and should it become mandatory? What do you think motivates lawyers to do pro bono work? Should pro bono work be mandatory for law students and/or lawyers?

Answer: Many lawyers have a keen sense of social justice. This leads them to want to give back to the most vulnerable members of society who cannot defend themselves without help. Some of the greatest professional satisfaction comes from helping someone who would have been taken advantage of without assistance. Many large firms now use a commitment to pro bono work as a recruiting point for getting the most talented young attorneys coming out of law school. There is already a goal for every California attorney to do 40 hours of pro bono work per year. Many attorneys take that goal very seriously and meet or surpass it. I personally do not believe that making pro bono mandatory would be helpful because an attorney who does not believe in what she is doing--and does not want to do it--will not do good work. If anything, the members of the legal community, attorneys and students, should be more open about their pro bono experiences and encourage others to enrich their own lives and the lives of the disadvantaged by doing pro bono work. The legal community and the public should also give more funding to legal aid organizations and clinics. At least that is one person's opinion. Hope it helps!

Question: What kind of lawyers deal with the trafficking of illegal antiquities? I'm at the beginning of training to be a lawyer and I'm really interested in this area of law but have no idea what lawyers who deal with this field are called. Any ideas?

Answer: There are attorneys that do "art law" believe it or not. But government attorneys for the respective involved countries also have a hand in it.

Question: How do I find lawyers who take on cases for part of the reward rather than an upfront fee? Hi all, I am trying to sue my apartment management company since their employee (my on-site apartment manager) got into my apartment without my permission and stole lots of my personal and financial information and committed lots of fraudulent charges. My question is: How do I find a good lawyer who specializes in this case? I would also like to know how/where I can find lawyers who are willing to take on a case for a portion of the reward rather than an upfront fee. I am living in the bay area, California. Any help/information is greatly appreciated! Thanks.

Answer: I would not say there is no upfront fee, but rather this cost has already been paid by the taxpayers, and it is called the City Prosecutor. I am sure you can work out one of those lawyer agreements where she will keep the penalty fines and you will be awarded the victim's restitution after the case is won. */End of Line.

Question: How do lawyers make so much money? I know a lot of you make think this is a dumb question but I'm going to ask it anyway. I know lawyers charge a lot for different services but don't they use that money to pay for court costs, paying assistants, filing fees, recording fees, etc...? Do lawyers make money off of small cases or is it the big lawsuits that rack in the dough? Btw, I'm not trying to bash lawyers at all.

Answer: It's a matter of volume. A personal injury attorney, for example, might have 100 cases or so, and can expect to win or settle at least 80% of them. Even if each case takes between six months and three years to complete, the attorney generally takes a third fee of the recovery from the case. At that rate, they tend to make a pretty good living, even after paying secretarial staff and overhead. Most cases never make it to the jury - it takes too much time, and most parties would rather have a reasonable settlement quickly, on both sides of the issue. Some attorneys really don't make much money, though. Some work for legal aid organizations that don't pay much, and others take a lot of pro bono (free) cases from which they don't make any money. That's the attorney's way of "giving back".

Question: How much money do lawyers who work for the government make? i know..they make less than lawyers who work at big firms...but how much less? and how many hours do they work in a day?

Answer: Compensation The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates the following average salaries in 2006 for lawyers employed by the various levels of government: Federal executive branch: $116,700 Local government: $84,570 State government: $77,970 as for the hours it will greatly vary, on the circumstances at the current time, I would imagine that the federal guys work at least 70 hours a week, but that's a guess. My aunt is a partner in a law firm and she works 65-85 hours a week depending on how things are going.

Question: Can you sue the defendants lawyers in federal court for concealing evidence in a state case? In a civil rights case, don't both parties the plaintiff and the defendants have to disclose all the evidence that they have in the case. Can I sue the defendants lawyers for concealing evidence?

Answer: Not sure exactly what evidence the defense would be required to share..the prosecution is obligated to share any exculpitory evidence they might have, along with evidence they intend to introduce at trial,and a list of witnesses to be called..the defense normally dosent have a obligation to disclose much that they might have (theres a few laws PROHIBITTING it in fact, along with a constitutional right against self incrimination) so unless the defense knowingly suborned purgery ,Thier probably safe. If they knowingly allowed a false evidence or testimony,then you might have something to move on to the court or ethics committee..Part of the defenses job is basicly ,concealing evidence,thats one of the problems with our legal system.

Question: How much money to tax lawyers make. Im trying to decide between that and an anesteologist because i cando both Im trying to decide between that and being an anesteologist. im was thinkin about anesteologist but i like dressin up and alot of other stuff about tax lawyers so im tryna figure out how much it pays cuz that will decide for me cuzz i like alot of things about both.

Answer: You just really need to follow your gut about what you're really interested in and what is the most important to you. That is very important in the long run. Every profession has its own pros and cons. Look around who is making a good money and living well ...? Can't you see doctors and lawyers among them? However your question sounds somewhat very shallow. I am sorry saying this, but if you like dressing up etc., go for it. Finally, the decision is yours. Good Luck.

Question: Can foreign lawyers become qualified to practise in India? Is there a process for non-Indian, foreign lawyers to become qualified in India? If so, does the procedure vary from state to state, or is there a national standard? I'm qualified in the US (California) and the UK (England/Wales), but have lived many years in India and am wondering if I could ever work here as a lawyer.

Answer: No Dear, only persons enrolled by any state council can practice law in india. For enrollment in State Bar Council you should be an India and need to pass LL.B. from any recognised university. hope this will work

Question: What are the different types of lawyers and what do they do? My parents were both Patent lawyers. If I wanted to go into law, but not tread in their footsteps completely, what are some other options?

Answer: This is going to take some carpal tunnel... Types of Legal Practice The practice of law takes several forms. The ways in which lawyers apply their expertise can be broadly categorized into the following practice types: Private Practice: involves working alone or with partners in a law firm to provide legal services to clients (individuals or corporations); some lawyers specialize in one or more practice areas while others engage in general practice. Public Interest Law: serves low-income individuals, marginalized groups and social causes; practitioners may work for advocacy groups, legal aid clinics and other organizations with the goal of advancing an interest of the public. Government Counsel: governments hire lawyers for legal advice and representation; lawyers directly employed by the government may work for ministries, government agencies and crown corporations. Corporate Counsel: corporations can employ lawyers as in-house counsel; an in-house counsel works for a single company to advise on legal matters related to its business activities. Practice Areas (Specializations) The law impacts our lives in numerous ways, so naturally the legal profession covers many fields. Some lawyers practice in all areas of the law, while others choose to specialize. Here are some areas of specialization in legal practice: Administrative Law: branch of public law dealing with the relationship between individuals and the government; regulates the power of governmental administrative agencies and ensures fair implementation and administration of laws. Civil Litigation: involves a lawsuit resulting from a dispute between private parties (individuals or corporations); civil litigation is concerned with matters such as breach of contract, debt collection, malpractice and personal injury. Constitutional Law: branch of public law dealing with powers of the federal government and the division of powers between the federal and provincial governments; constitutional lawyers handle issues such as equality rights, freedom of expression, security and democratic governance. Corporate and Commercial Law: deals with the formation and maintenance of businesses; corporate and commercial lawyers handle contracts, liability, mergers, structured financings and other business matters. Criminal Law: governs crimes against the public and members of the public (as opposed to civil litigation which deals with private disputes); a criminal lawyer may work for the government as a prosecutor or represent the accused person as a defence lawyer. Environmental Law: legislation and regulations relating to the interaction of humans with the environment; environmental lawyers deal with matters such as air pollution, wilderness preservation and waste disposal. Family Law: applies to legal relationships between family members; issues in family law include marriage contracts, divorce, child custody, adoption, wills and estate planning. Immigration Law: federal laws control the entry of non-citizens into the country; immigration lawyers assist clients in applying for entry, residing in the country and becoming citizens. Intellectual Property Law: intellectual property refers to the ownership rights to certain kinds of creative endeavours; intellectual property law protects ownership through copyrights, patents, trademarks and industrial design registrations. International Law: governs the interactions and relationships between nations; international lawyers may be hired by national governments and international organizations, or work in the private sector focusing on the interpretation of treaties and related laws. Labour and Employment Law: defines the rights and obligations of employers, workers and union members; lawyers may advise management, labour or government on issues such as employment standards, workplace health and safety, and industrial relations. Real Estate Law: deals with the purchase, sale, financing and development of land and buildings; real estate lawyers may work for developers, tenants, investors, banks or corporations on matters relating to residential or commercial real estate. Securities Law: regulates the purchase and sale of securities (financial instruments such as stocks and bonds); securities lawyers typically work in law firms providing services to corporations and financial institutions or for governmental commissions focusing on regulatory compliance. Tax Law: deals with the taxes levied by different levels of government; tax lawyers may advise corporations on tax strategies and implications of business transactions, or counsel individuals on matters such as legal wills and estate planning. Other Areas: in addition to the practice areas list above, there are many other fields of specialization in the legal profession (antitrust law, entertainment law, health law, municipal law, sports law, etc.). Other Career Opportunities The skills required for a career in law can also be successfully employed in other professions. Law school education is very versatile and some students decide to pursue alternatives careers upon graduation. Even lawyers who have been practicing for several years sometimes transition into other careers. A law degree can enable entry into many careers outside of the legal profession, including the following: Broadcasting Business Civil Service Education Finance Insurance Journalism Policy Analysis Politics Publishing Social Work I'm sure new ones are being invented everyday... Good Luck

Question: How do I find a lawyer that will take on other lawyers in malpractice issues? I am now concerned that my own lawyers are screwing me over as well as a Judge, court appointed attorney, my mother's estate attorney and everyone else. I need to go in front of the Wisconsin Supreme Court with these issues, but am I just going to run into the same problem with lawyers looking after their own kind again? Who do I talk to, or where do I go to have someone answer some legal questions truthfully?

Answer: Every lawyer you hire is supposed to owe his/her allegience to you and not to other lawyers. While you may interpret their actions in other ways, you may need to unfortunately reassess if you are being realistic about your goals, or your expectations.

Question: What sort of values should lawyers have and uphold ? "Law is the art of the good and the fair." "To live honorably, to harm no one, to give to each his own" Ulpianus, one of the greatest roman lawyers. What kind of morale values should lawyers uphold nowdays ? What kind of a person should a good lawyer be ?

Answer: Lawyers operate under a written code of ethics. The basic rule is that of loyalty. All the other rules are explanations of the rule that a lawyer owes his client an absolute duty of loyalty and should use his professional skills to achieve the lawful goals sought by the client. Ulpianus was a jurist, who has on obligation to all, not just to the client.

Question: How to find out about lawyers role in mailing certified letter? The defendants went to the lawyer on june 25, 2009, received letter on june 25, 2009. Noticied letter was handwritten by defendant. Was not trying to dodge mail. I signed it right away. The defendants then went on vacation. We live in New Jersey. Our organization do not think this was legal. We feel lawyer should have mailed it out on his own stationery. It was not mailed from lawyers town, but our town where defendant and I live.

Answer: It's confusing as to which party you are. If the defendant accepted service at your lawyer's office, he's served. If he handed a response to the secretary, you're served. If he mailed it from any mailbox in the US you're served. If it was his lawyer, he can send whatever he wants cert mail, and if your argument is improper service, you're standing there and will likely proceed. Best you'll get is a continuance to prepare. Worst is if you don't show up, your opponent successfully argues that you were properly served and he wins by default. Is it worth it?

Question: I want to start a startup for lawyers. What do you think? I create daily reports for family law lawyers to track prospective clients in specific state (e.x. report contains links to forum messages from people looking for help in family law matters related to California or other specific U.S. State). I would like to start my own startup business providing lawyers in all U.S. states with this kind of reports, but I am not sure if this service is in demand by lawyers. Do you think this kind of business will succeed? Are there any common types of firms providing leads for lawyers?

Answer: Yes, there are professional marketing firms all over the country that do such networking. As do business development agencies and other networking firms such as, lawyer referral exchanges. Example...http://www.legalleadsnetwork.com/

Question: Why are there no pro bono Lawyers who will take a whistle blower case? We talked to most of the Lawyers in town. We thought we had a lawyer but he backed off. People think it is easy to get a lawyer to take your case but not in this town.

Answer: I suspect your disappointment lies in the idea that pro bono work is free. It isn't. It costs just as much money as any other case, and in addition to the obvious court costs, the lawyer still has to pay his light bill and keep his payroll going. You're asking that they invest thousands, perhaps even hundreds of thousands, of dollars of their own money. Now add to that the fact that whistleblower cases are by definition brought against corporations, probably with deep pockets and an ability to put up a stiff legal defense. The longer the defense can drag things out, the more it costs the plaintiff's side, and a lawyer can easily go bankrupt before he sees a cent even if you have a slam-dunk winner. It's quite possible the costs of the case will be greater than the settlement, even assuming you win, so you're asking a heck of a lot.

Question: How do Traffic Lawyers find out about your tickets? After you get a ticket in florida, your mailbox gets swamped with lawyer advertisements. I was in an accident and both of us got tickets. How do I do what these traffic lawyers do and find out what ticket the other guy got?

Answer: THEY HAVE PEOPLE ON STAFF THAT STAY AT THE COURTHOUSE EVERYDAY LIKE BAR FLIES BECAUSE UNFORTUNATELY IT IS PUBLIC RECORD.