1. CHAPTER 6- LAWYERS Mr. Cimijotti-Intro to Law

2. Characteristics Breakdown of Lawyers 65% are in private practice. 15% are government lawyers who work for federal, state and local agencies. 15% work for corporations. Small numbers of lawyers work for public interests. Most lawyers rarely go to court. Most: Give advice. Drafting legal opinions. Negotiate settlements. Provide out-of-court legal assistance.

3. Lawyers who go to court are called Trial Attorneys or Litigators. Civil Cases: lawyers act as advocates for their client’s position. Criminal Cases: lawyer is for the defendant whose responsibility is to obtain and acquittal for his client. Litigator: a trial lawyer or barrister (England’s name for a lawyer).

4. When do you need a lawyer Need a lawyer if: If you become involved in a situation and you want to know the legal ramifications. Legal documents need to be drawn up and analyzed. Involved in a criminal or civil case. Contact the local bar associations for a list of lawyers.

5. How do you find a lawyer. Characteristics Recommendation of someone who had a similar legal problem. Lawyers advertise their services. U.S. Supreme Court ruled that advertising by lawyers is protected by the first (1st) amendment. Current survey indicates that 25% of the nations lawyers advertise. Contact a local lawyer referral service. Can’t afford an attorney, you can obtain legal aid from lawyer organizations. Retainer: a down payment on the total fee. Contingency fee: fee paid to an attorney based on a percentage of the sum awarded to his or her client in a lawsuit. Other Lawyer Groups: American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). Environmental Defense Fund (EDF). American Conservative Union (ACU). National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

6. Working With You Attorney Characteristics Trust is the key element between you and your attorney. Lawyers follow a code of conduct: Reprimanded Suspended Disbarred Terms: Attorney – Client Privilege: whatever you tell your attorney is secret and confidential. Disbarred: a lawyer is no longer licensed to practice law. Legal Malpractice: type of lawsuit brought against a lawyer for loss to his or her client caused by his failure to meet acceptable standards of practice.