lawyers

A lawyer is a professional who practices law. Lawyers advise individuals and organizations on their legal rights and obligations, draft and interpret contracts, prepare pleadings and other legal documents, negotiate settlements, and represent clients in courts or administrative proceedings.

Education and licensure vary by jurisdiction. In many places, a person completes an undergraduate degree and a professional law degree, such as a Juris Doctor in the United States or an LLB in many Commonwealth countries. After earning the degree, candidates must pass a bar examination or obtain a similar license to practice and may undergo character and fitness evaluations. Many systems require ongoing ethics training and adherence to professional conduct rules. In some regions, there is a two-track system with solicitors handling advisory work and clients outside court and barristers focusing on advocacy in court.

Practice areas and work settings. Lawyers may specialize in criminal or civil litigation, corporate law, tax, intellectual property, family, real estate, environmental law, or other fields. They can work in private law firms, corporate legal departments, government agencies, or non profit organizations. The role combines legal research, drafting, client counseling, and advocacy, with workload and compensation varying by jurisdiction, experience, and area of practice. The profession also involves keeping current with changes in laws and precedent, and upholding duties of confidentiality and ethical responsibility.