Do all lawyers have to specialize in a type of law?

My friend and I were talking about her new job at a law office. I asked her "what type of law does the lawyer practice?" she answered "all kinds."

I have another friend who is in law school and he has to choose what type of law to specialize in (divorce law, bankruptcy, corporate, international, etc.)

Just like there are many types of MDs (cardiologist, anesthesiologist, etc), do you have to specialize if you're a lawyer.

So is my friend's answer of "all types" incorrect?

Thank you!

anna13

I agree with Barry. Lawyers can choose to have a general practice, or to specialize. Every US law school requires students take courses in Property, Torts, Criminal Law, Constitutional Law, and Contracts. These are the foundations of just about every type of law there is. So, in theory, all lawyers know at least a little something about many areas of law.

I don't know of any school that REQUIRES students to choose an area of law to focus on. In fact, I would think schools would not want students to choose a specialty so soon. The bar exam covers a HUGE range of topics of law, and schools want their students to pass the bar (it helps with the school's reputation) and so schools, it would seem, would want students to become familiar with a lot of areas of law. Similarly, the job market is tough, and it's just that much more difficult to find a job if you're restricted in the type of law you want to practice. Schools want their students to be employed at graduation (again, reputation), so I would think they would want their students to be flexible in the types of law they're interested of practicing.

Barry auh2o

They're like doctors. They can choose to specialize, or just do law in general.
I have a friend who is an attorney, he specializes in Real estate law, but will take any client which walks in the door who can pay his fee.
Likewise, my wife's cousin specializes in municipal and zoning law,but will handle almost anything else.
She also has a a friend who handles nothing but personal injury litigation. He is so tied up with such cases he doesn;t have the time to handle anything else.
But, stop and think! If you were busted for selling drugs, would you want a lawyer who specializes in wills and estates, or someone who is experienced in criminal defense.

CammyB

Lawfirms/lawyers can practice a wide range of law related issues not just one. Your friends correct

Mrs. Chavez

I work at a law firm and yes every lawyer has to specialize in a certain type of law, it can be that they specialize in different types of law but they are generally related types of laws, "all kinds" is kinda broad.
For example: Where I work we specialize in workers comp and personal injury, but we also do some social security and malpractice, but those are limited, our main focus is what we specialize in.

Vixen249

Yes,but your friend's boss could practice civil law dealing will a lot of different types of cases,which leads them to come to the conclusion that they indeed practice 'all kinds'

Joe C

No, but if you do you get paid more

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