08/30/2019
Did you know that almost every lawyer in America specializes?
Specializing simply means that they will only work on certain types of cases.
There are so many different types of cases that a lawyer can work on; bankruptcy, tax, domestic, juvenile, criminal, child support, custody, guardianship, special education, adoptions, estate planning, businesses, non-profit and so on. When you call a law office in an attempt to hire a lawyer, they will typically ask you to explain a little about your problem. If you tell them you've been arrested, they know it is a criminal issue, if you say you want to adopt your grandchild, they know it is an adoption, and so on.
If the lawyer(s) in that office do not practice the type of law that your case will need, they will let you know that they cannot take your case. In a smaller area like East Tennessee, most attorneys will then offer you a recommendation of an attorney locally that practices the type of law you may require.
It is very important that you don't get upset and throw a fit when someone tells you that they cannot take you case because they don't practice the type of law your case requires. You want a knowledgeable attorney working on your case. You wouldn't want a heart doctor reconstructing your toe, why would you want a criminal defense lawyer drawing up your bankruptcy.
Just remember that many times attorneys will practice several areas of law, just because an attorney practices in several areas, does not mean that he practices them all.