I often get requests for cases involving areas of law I don’t practice. When I inform individuals that I do not practice in the specific area of law they are inquiring about, they sometimes act surprised. These callers assume that, as an attorney, I would practice in any legal subject matter.
Just as in the medical profession, many attorneys choose to concentrate in specific legal categories rather than trying to be all things to all people. As tempting as it might seem to bring all your life’s legal challenges to a single “all-purpose” law firm, you may be much better off engaging attorneys who focus on the specific kind of help you need. Let’s briefly explore the question of specialization vs. generalization, and how you might benefit more from advanced expertise than from broad-but-shallow competence.
The Wide World of Legal Specializations
If you’ve ever wondered why there seem to be so many lawyers in the world, consider the fact that there so many different categories of law. A few examples include:
- Estate law: The creation and management of various estate planning instruments and strategies
- Business law: An area that includes the legal aspects of business creation, intellectual property protection, legal entity formation, and protection against lawsuits
- Commercial law: Legal issues pertaining to the sale/lease of goods or properties, the use of negotiable instruments, and other commercial transactions
- Personal Injury law: Cases related to the physical injury of one person by another person or responsible entity.
- Medical Malpractice law: Law practice involving medical professional compliance standards and their alleged violation.
- Divorce/Family law: Legal cases and proceedings related to divorce filings, financial claims, custody motions etc.
- Bankruptcy law: Legal counsel, court representation, and document filings related to personal or corporate bankruptcy.
- Tax law: Legal aid aimed at tax counseling, dispute resolution, IRS negotiations, and other taxation issues.
- Criminal law: Prosecution or defense of individuals or organizations alleged to have committed crimes
- Workers Compensation law: Cases involving workers’ compensation claims and employer compliance.
- Immigration law: Legal work related to green card issuance, application for citizenship, requests for asylum, and other immigration issues
With so many categories of law, it is not surprising that certain attorneys/firms will limit their areas of practice in order to concentrate on specific areas..
Generalists vs. Niche Practices
Of course, it’s possible that if you need one of these forms of legal help, you may also need another. A business owner, for instance, may need help with workers compensation issues, commercial law violations, and internal disputes. An individual might need a personal injury lawyer, divorce representation, or estate planning assistance at various times. At such times, it may be hard to resist the appeal of a legal generalist. Generalist firms offer “a little bit of everything” in the manner of a traditional small-town law firm, where a single attorney might have to serve the needs of an entire community.
Why is it better to pursue representation with a niche law firm instead? First and foremost, you go to an attorney because you need legal expertise. Whether you’re preparing a Last Will and Testament, deciding on a business structure, or planning to sign a personal guarantee on a major commercial lease, the stakes involved can be very high indeed. Even a “routine” decision can have consequences for your business, your personal assets, or your life, that are anything but routine. The more depth of knowledge you can apply to the task at hand, the better off you’re likely to be.
The same goes for experience. A niche law firm will naturally accumulate much more experience in its particular area of focus. For instance, in my firm’s focus on business, commercial, and estate law, I’ve worked on countless cases over the years, with an enormous range of variations from case to case and also client to client. This experience proves extremely helpful when it comes to devising strategies and counseling my clients on specific matters.
“A thing worth doing is worth doing right.” This old saying most definitely applies to legal counsel – so choose the right attorney for the job.
© 2018 Matthew W. Harrison and Harrison Law, PLLC All Rights Reserved
This website and article have been prepared by Harrison Law, PLLC for informational purposes only and does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal or financial advice. The information is not provided in the course of an attorney-client relationship and is not intended to substitute for legal advice from an attorney licensed in your jurisdiction.
