Buying Contact Lenses on the Internet
Need A Lawyer? Nearly everyone does at some
point.
The legal system affects nearly every aspect of
our society, from
buying a home to crossing the street. Lawyers form the backbone of
this vital system, linking it to society in myriad ways. For that reason,
they hold positions of great responsibility and are obligated to adhere
to a strict code of ethics.
Lawyers, also called attorneys, act as both advocates and advisors in
our society. As advocates, they represent one of the parties in
criminal and civil trials by presenting evidence and arguing in court to
support their client. As advisors, lawyers counsel their clients
concerning their legal rights and obligations and suggest particular
courses of action in business and personal matters. Whether acting as
an advocate or an advisor, all attorneys research the intent of laws
and judicial decisions and apply the law to the specific circumstances
faced by their client.
The more detailed aspects of a lawyer’s job depend upon his or her
field of specialization and position. Although all lawyers are licensed
to represent parties in court, some appear in court more frequently
than others. Trial lawyers, who specialize in trial work, must be able
to think quickly and speak with ease and authority. In addition,
familiarity with courtroom rules and strategy is particularly important in
trial work. Still, trial lawyers spend the majority of their time outside
the courtroom, conducting research, interviewing clients and
witnesses, and handling other details in preparation for trial.
Lawyers may specialize in a number of different areas, such as
bankruptcy, probate, international, or elder law. Those specializing in
environmental law, for example, may represent public-interest groups,
waste disposal companies, or construction firms in their dealings with
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other Federal
and State agencies. These lawyers help clients prepare and file for
licenses and applications for approval before certain activities may
occur. In addition, they represent clients’ interests in administrative
adjudications.
Some lawyers concentrate in the growing field of intellectual property,
helping to protect clients’ claims to copyrights, artwork under
contract, product designs, and computer programs. Still other lawyers
advise insurance companies about the legality of insurance
transactions, writing insurance policies to conform with the law and to
protect companies from unwarranted claims. When claims are filed
against insurance companies, these attorneys review the claims and
represent the companies in court. |
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