Civil lawyers play one of the most important roles in our society. They help people solve their problems and disputes that are not related to crime. Imagine you and your friend are arguing over something, and neither of you knows what to do. A civil lawyer will be needed to decide your fate. Who are civil lawyers? What do civil lawyers do? Why is the role of a civil lawyer so important? It is explained in such simple words that even a child can understand it.

Who Is A Civil Lawyer?

A civil lawyer is a person who studies law to develop knowledge to help people and businesses find solutions to non-criminal issues. Unlike crime lawyers who always argue crimes such as robbery and murder, civil lawyers often deal with issues of property disagreements, family differences, and financial disputes. Their role is to ensure that both parties involved in the dispute get a fair solution.

A civil lawyer is truly a problem solver. By enforcing the law, they ensure that their clients get justice, whether they are ordinary people or big companies. They understand all the rules and know how to apply them for the good of their clients.

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Different Types of Civil Lawyers

Civil law covers a variety of areas. For example, certain types of lawyers specialize in civil law. Let’s take a look at some common types of civil lawyers:

• Family Lawyers – Family lawyers help with family matters, such as divorce, child custody or adoption. For example, when parents disagree about who will take care of a child, a family lawyer will help decide what is best for that child.
• Personal Injury Lawyers – Have you ever heard of someone slipping and falling in a store and getting hurt? If the store was careless and didn’t clean up the spilt items, the person can hire a personal injury lawyer to seek compensation to pay for medical bills.
• Employment Lawyers – They help workers and employers settle work disputes. If someone feels they have been treated unfairly in the workplace, they can seek the services of an employment lawyer for advice and possibly action.
• Property Lawyers – Property lawyers specialize in land, house and apartment disputes. If two people are arguing over a piece of land, it will be a property lawyer who will dig deep to find out the facts of the case and help resolve it.
• Contract Lawyer – These lawyers ensure that an agreement is reached between two individuals or companies. If one party does not fulfil their promise in a deal, the contract lawyer will help the other person take legal action against them.
• Business Lawyer – Business lawyers assist companies with matters that may be related to the law. If two organizations disagree on the terms of a contract, the business lawyer steps in and helps them find a fair solution for both of them.

What Does a Civil Lawyer Do?

With an understanding of what types of civil lawyers there are, it is now easier to understand what civil lawyers do on a day-to-day basis. Their work can be divided into several major activities:

Listening To Clients

The first thing a civil lawyer does is listen to the person who needs help. The person involved, called the client, will explain the problem to the lawyer and the latter will listen carefully to make the situation better. The lawyer asks various questions so as to get all the details. This is the most important step as the lawyer cannot start helping until he knows everything about the problem.

Researching The Law

Once he understands the client’s problem, he starts researching the law. He is then able to become familiar with what rules and laws may apply to the problem. For example, if someone has a case related to property, he will look at all the laws related to land and property to see what can be done.

Giving Recommendations

Having full knowledge of the facts and laws relating to the problem, a lawyer advises his client on the current situation. Thus the advice can enable the client to decide between options. Sometimes lawyers advise that it will not be necessary to go to court and that they will be able to solve the problem in some other way.

Writing Documents

A large part of a civil lawyer’s work consists of writing. They draft legal documents, such as contracts pleadings, or letters. These become the basis for what a person or business is legally bound to do. To explain, if two people are getting a divorce, the lawyer will prepare an agreement on how they will divide their property.

Negotiation

A civil lawyer can attempt to resolve a case out of court. This is often achieved through negotiation – by speaking directly to the other party and trying to resolve the matter amicably. A great example would be between two different companies who cannot agree on a contract; the lawyer can meet with the lawyer from the other company, and reach an understanding that works well for both parties.

Representing Clients In Court

Sometimes, negotiation cannot resolve the issue and the case needs to be taken to court. If this is the case, a civil lawyer represents their client in front of a judge. They present their side of the story and the evidence that serves to support their argument. The lawyer seeks to persuade the judge to rule in the client’s favour.

Out-Of-Court Settlement

Many civil cases settle before they even reach court. Civil lawyers usually take their clients and encourage them to settle, whereby both parties agree on a fair solution that suits both. This is much faster and more cost-effective than going to trial, so many clients prefer it.

Resolving The Problem Fairly

Resolving the dispute in a fair manner is the ultimate goal of a civil lawyer; they strive for justice under the law and fair treatment of everyone involved in the conflict. Even if their client doesn’t get everything they want, civil lawyers work hard to make sure the outcome is just and fair.

Why Do People Need Civil Lawyers?

You may ask, “Why can’t people solve their problems?” Well, sometimes problems are very difficult to fix without the help of professionals. Civil lawyers are professionals who know the law and can help people fairly resolve such issues.

There are many reasons why people need civil lawyers:

• Understanding The Law – The law is very complex, and no one knows all the rules. Civil lawyers study the law and can well identify what to do in which situations.
• Protecting Rights – Civil lawyers ensure that their clients’ rights are protected. If someone’s rights are being violated, civil lawyers can enable the client to stand up for themselves.
• Save Time And Stress – Disputes can be very stressful and time-consuming. Civil lawyers take care of the hassle so that the client can focus on other important activities.
• Fair Treatment – ​​A person cannot get a fair deal if he does not hire a lawyer. Civil lawyers ensure that their client gets the right deal and secure the best deal for the client.

Examples of Civil Cases

I am going to give you some practical examples of how a common man may need the services of a civil lawyer in everyday life.

• Family Disputes – Now, imagine two parents getting divorced, and they are unable to agree on who will take care of their children. A family lawyer will determine what is best for the children while making sure that both parents are adhering to the agreement set forth.
• Car Accidents – Someone gets involved in an accident that is not their fault. A personal injury lawyer helps them get money from the person who caused the accident so they can pay all their bills and repair the damage to their property.
• Business Disputes – Two companies may disagree on a contract. A civil lawyer helps them understand what the contract really means and helps them arrive at a fair settlement.
• Land Disputes – Neighbors disagree on who owns a piece of land. A property lawyer will help figure out who owns the land and how the dispute can be resolved.

How to Become a Civil Lawyer

Becoming a civil lawyer requires dedication and time. It involves the following steps.

• Complete High School, The First Step – A person going to school has to do well in school and graduate from high school.
• Go To College – Then, after high school, someone who wants to become a lawyer has to go to college and get a degree.
• Law School – From there, they go to law school, which teaches them everything about law and how to become a lawyer.
• Complete The Bar Exam – After law school, they have to pass another extremely challenging exam known as the bar exam. Only after passing the exam can they practice law in their respective states.
• Gain Experience – Last but not least, new lawyers gain experience working for law firms or other lawyers. Finally, they master civil law.