Litigation lawyers are legal professionals who specialize in representing clients in court or other dispute resolution forums. They handle a wide range of legal disputes, including civil lawsuits, criminal trials, and administrative hearings. Litigation lawyers are often called trial lawyers, as they are the ones who argue cases in court. This guide will provide an overview of what litigation lawyers do, the skills required to be a successful litigation lawyer, and the steps you can take to become a litigation lawyer.
What does a litigation lawyer do?
Litigation lawyers represent clients in legal disputes that involve civil, criminal, or administrative law. They are responsible for investigating the facts of a case, conducting legal research, preparing legal documents, and arguing cases in court. Litigation lawyers work with clients to develop strategies to achieve their legal objectives, whether that involves settling a case or taking it to trial. Some of the areas in which litigation lawyers specialize include:
Civil litigation: Civil litigation involves legal disputes between individuals, organizations, or companies. Litigation lawyers who specialize in civil litigation may handle cases involving contract disputes, employment disputes, personal injury claims, and real estate disputes.
Criminal litigation: Criminal litigation involves legal disputes between the government and individuals who have been accused of committing a crime. Litigation lawyers who specialize in criminal litigation may represent clients in cases involving drug offenses, white-collar crimes, or violent crimes.
Administrative law: Administrative law involves legal disputes between individuals or organizations and government agencies. Litigation lawyers who specialize in administrative law may represent clients in cases involving environmental law, immigration law, or regulatory compliance.
Skills required to be a successful litigation lawyer
To be a successful litigation lawyer, you need to have a range of skills, including:
Legal knowledge: Litigation lawyers need to have a deep understanding of the law, including case law, statutory law, and procedural law. They need to be able to apply legal principles to the facts of a case and develop legal strategies that are likely to be successful.
Analytical skills: Litigation lawyers need to be able to analyze complex legal issues and identify the key legal and factual issues that are relevant to a case. They need to be able to identify weaknesses in the opposing party's case and develop arguments that can effectively counter those weaknesses.
Communication skills: Litigation lawyers need to be able to communicate effectively with clients, judges, juries, and opposing counsel. They need to be able to present legal arguments in a clear and persuasive manner, and they need to be able to listen carefully to their clients' concerns and objectives.
Negotiation skills: Litigation lawyers need to be able to negotiate effectively with opposing counsel to reach favorable settlements for their clients. They need to be able to identify areas of common ground and develop creative solutions that can satisfy both parties' interests.
Time management skills: Litigation lawyers need to be able to manage their time effectively, as they often have multiple cases and deadlines to juggle. They need to be able to prioritize tasks and work efficiently to meet their clients' needs.
Steps to becoming a litigation lawyer
If you're interested in becoming a litigation lawyer, there are several steps you can take:
Get a bachelor's degree
To become a litigation lawyer, you need to have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. While there is no specific major required to become a litigation lawyer, many aspiring lawyers choose to major in pre-law, political science, or a related field.
Take the LSAT
The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is a standardized test that is required for admission to most law schools in the United States. The LSAT measures skills such as reading comprehension, analytical reasoning, and logical reasoning. You'll need to prepare for the LSAT by studying test-taking strategies and taking Intellectual Property Law practice exams.