What Type Of Attorney Do I Need

When something serious happens, most people are not sure what kind of attorney they need. That is completely normal.

Legal situations are often stressful, unfamiliar, and overlapping. You may know what happened, but not how it is classified or which type of attorney typically handles it.

This page is here to help you understand that part so you can take the next step with more confidence.

If this happened, this type of attorney usually helps:

You were injured and someone else may be responsible

Examples include:
• car accidents
• truck or motorcycle accidents
• slip and fall injuries
• pedestrian or bicycle accidents
• workplace injuries

These situations are usually handled by a Personal Injury Attorney.

You created something and someone is using it without permission

Examples include:
• trademark or brand name issues
• copyright infringement
• patent questions
• business ideas being copied
• disputes over ownership of creative work

These situations are usually handled by an Intellectual Property Attorney.

You are being accused of a crime or contacted by law enforcement

Examples include:
• an arrest or charges filed
• police questioning
• court summons
• DUI or drug related accusations

These situations are usually handled by a Criminal Defense Attorney.

You are having a serious problem at work

Examples include:
• wrongful termination
• workplace discrimination
• harassment
• unpaid wages or overtime
• retaliation by an employer

These situations are usually handled by an Employment or Labor Attorney.

A medical treatment caused unexpected harm

Examples include:
• surgical errors
• misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis
• medication mistakes
• birth injuries

These situations are usually handled by a Medical Malpractice Attorney.

You are dealing with a family or relationship legal issue

Examples include:
• divorce or separation
• child custody or support
• spousal support
• adoption or guardianship

These situations are usually handled by a Family Law Attorney.

You are facing an immigration related issue

Examples include:
• visa applications
• green cards
• deportation or removal proceedings
• asylum or citizenship questions

These situations are usually handled by an Immigration Attorney.

You are involved in a dispute over property or real estate

Examples include:
• landlord tenant disputes
• property damage
• boundary or ownership disputes
• contract issues related to real estate

These situations are usually handled by a Real Estate Attorney.

You are dealing with a serious financial or debt issue

Examples include:
• overwhelming debt
• foreclosure
• creditor lawsuits
• bankruptcy considerations

These situations are usually handled by a Bankruptcy or Debt Attorney.

A loved one passed away and legal matters remain

Examples include:
• probate
• wills or trusts
• estate disputes
• executor responsibilities

These situations are usually handled by an Estate Planning or Probate Attorney.

You were injured or harmed by a defective product or unsafe situation

Examples include:
• defective consumer products
• dangerous machinery
• unsafe premises
• mass tort or class related issues

These situations are usually handled by a Product Liability or Mass Tort Attorney.

An important note

Many legal situations overlap. It is common not to be completely sure which category applies, especially early on.

You do not need to have everything figured out before reaching out. An attorney can listen to your situation and help clarify the right path forward.

Already know what type of attorney you are looking for?

If you already know the type of attorney you need, you can browse by attorney type here:

needanattorney.net/attorney