US law has become highly specialised. The idea of a single attorney handling divorces, criminal defence, patent prosecution, and corporate M&A is outdated in most US markets. Here is the complete directory: what each type does, when you need them, and what they typically cost.
The "general practitioner" model persists in smaller markets where case volume doesn't support specialisation, but for most matters in US legal markets of any size, you will encounter specialists. ABA Model Rule 1.1 requires competence -- an attorney taking a matter outside their experience must either become competent quickly or associate with a specialist.
1
Corporate / Business Transactional
Entity formation, shareholder agreements, M&A transactions, joint ventures, commercial contracts, governance. The attorney who helps a business exist legally and operate structurally.
When: Starting a business, raising investment, entering major contracts, selling or acquiring a company.
Fee: Hourly ($300-$900/hr); some flat fees for formations
2
Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)
Due diligence, transaction documentation, regulatory approvals, post-closing integration. Sub-specialty of corporate, distinct enough in practice to be its own market.
When: Buying or selling a company, acquiring an asset, private equity transaction.
Fee: Hourly ($400-$1,200/hr at top firms); sometimes deal-based
3
Securities / Capital Markets
IPO counsel, private placements (Reg D, Reg A+), SEC reporting, proxy statements, blue-sky compliance, securities litigation defence.
When: Raising capital from investors, going public, compliance with SEC and FINRA requirements.
Fee: Hourly ($400-$1,000+/hr at securities firms)
4
Litigation (General Civil)
Disputes between private parties -- breach of contract, property disputes, business torts, fraud claims. File complaints, conduct discovery, argue motions, try cases.
When: Being sued or suing someone for damages or injunctive relief.
Fee: Hourly ($250-$600/hr); some cases on contingency
High-value business disputes: breach of complex commercial contracts, business divorce, shareholder disputes, trade secret theft, non-competes.
When: Business dispute involving significant money or strategic importance.
Fee: Hourly ($350-$800/hr at commercial lit firms)
Representing defendants charged with crimes. Negotiating pleas, challenging evidence, trying cases, appeals. Covers everything from misdemeanours to federal felonies.
When: Arrested or charged with a crime. Time-sensitive -- engage counsel immediately.
Fee: Hourly ($150-$500/hr) or flat fee by matter type. Public defenders available for those who qualify.
7
Prosecution (Public Sector)
Representing the government in criminal cases: charging, negotiating pleas, trying cases. District Attorneys (state) and US Attorneys (federal). Not private attorneys; government employees.
When: N/A for consumers -- prosecution is a government function.
Fee: Government salary (not hired by individuals)
8
Personal Injury (Plaintiff)
Representing injured parties in lawsuits against negligent actors: car accidents, slip-and-fall, medical malpractice, product liability, wrongful death.
When: Injured through someone else's negligence. No money needed upfront -- contingency fee covers legal costs.
Fee: Contingency (typically 33% pre-suit, 40% post-suit, 45% on appeal). No fee if no recovery.
Representing insurance companies and their policyholders in covered litigation. Paid by the insurer to defend the insured. Major volume segment of the litigation market.
When: Insurance company assigns defence counsel after a claim is made against you.
Fee: Hourly (paid by insurer, not you)
Divorce, child custody and support, spousal maintenance, prenuptial agreements, adoption, guardianship, domestic violence protective orders.
When: Divorce, custody dispute, adoption, or any family relationship legally requiring court involvement.
Fee: Hourly ($200-$500/hr); some flat fees for uncontested matters. Contested divorce can cost $10,000-$50,000+.
11
Estate Planning / Probate
Wills, revocable and irrevocable trusts, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, estate tax planning, probate administration, trust administration.
When: Planning how assets will pass at death; managing a decedent's estate; elder law planning.
Fee: Flat fee common: simple will $300-$1,500; trust package $1,500-$5,000. Complex estates hourly.
Property purchase and sale contracts, title review, closing, landlord-tenant disputes, commercial leases, zoning and land use, easements and covenants, real estate litigation.
When: Buying or selling real estate, negotiating commercial leases, property disputes.
Fee: Flat fee for closings ($500-$2,500 depending on market); hourly for disputes and complex transactions.
Visas (work, family, investor), green cards, citizenship/naturalisation, asylum, deportation defence, DACA, VAWA, immigration court representation.
When: Any interaction with USCIS or immigration courts. Mistakes can have serious permanent consequences.
Fee: Flat fee by matter type ($1,500-$8,000 for most applications); deportation defence hourly.
Tax planning, compliance, IRS audits and appeals, Tax Court litigation, estate and gift tax, international tax, state and local tax (SALT). Distinct from CPA.
When: IRS audit or dispute, complex tax planning, criminal tax charges, international tax structures.
Fee: Hourly ($300-$700/hr); flat fees for specific filings
15
Intellectual Property (Patent, Trademark, Copyright)
Patent prosecution (USPTO), patent litigation, trademark registration and enforcement, copyright registration and licensing, trade secret protection, IP licensing agreements.
When: Protecting a new invention, registering a brand, enforcing copyright, licensing technology.
Fee: Patent application: $8,000-$20,000+. Trademark: $750-$2,000 + $350 USPTO fee per class. IP litigation: $350-$800/hr.
16
Employment / Labour (Plaintiff)
Representing employees in discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, wage theft, whistleblower, FMLA, ADA, and ERISA claims.
When: Fired unlawfully, discriminated against at work, unpaid wages.
Fee: Contingency in many cases (30-40% of recovery); some hourly depending on matter
17
Employment / Labour (Management-Side)
Advising employers on compliance, handbook policies, investigations, response to complaints, employment litigation defence, NLRB matters.
When: Company needs HR legal compliance, employment dispute defence, or labour relations advice.
Fee: Hourly ($250-$500/hr for management-side employment)
18
Bankruptcy (Consumer and Commercial)
Chapter 7 (liquidation), Chapter 11 (reorganisation), Chapter 13 (individual repayment). Representing debtors or creditors. Consumer or commercial depending on case type.
When: Unable to manage debt; creditor with a major debtor in bankruptcy; business in financial distress.
Fee: Chapter 7 consumer: $1,200-$3,000 flat fee. Chapter 11 commercial: hourly, can exceed $500,000+ for complex restructurings.
Regulatory compliance (EPA, Clean Air, Clean Water Acts), Superfund liability, environmental due diligence in transactions, environmental litigation (plaintiff and defence).
When: Business with environmental regulatory exposure; real estate transaction with potential contamination.
Fee: Hourly ($300-$600/hr)
20
Healthcare / Regulatory
Healthcare compliance (HIPAA, Stark Law, Anti-Kickback Statute), hospital and physician practice transactions, pharmaceutical regulatory, FDA matters, healthcare fraud defence.
When: Healthcare provider, insurer, or pharmaceutical company facing regulatory or transactional issues.
Fee: Hourly ($350-$700/hr for healthcare specialists)
K-12 and higher education: disability law (IDEA, Section 504, ADA), student discipline, Title IX, employment, governance, accreditation.
When: Student or parent in dispute with a school or university; institution facing regulatory compliance issues.
Fee: Hourly ($200-$400/hr for education law); some special education attorneys on contingency
Briefing and arguing appeals before intermediate appellate courts and supreme courts. Often specialists who do not handle trial-level work. Supreme Court practice is a sub-specialty.
When: Unhappy with a trial court ruling; need specialised oral argument or brief-writing skills.
Fee: Hourly ($400-$900/hr for appellate specialists); SCOTUS practitioners are among the highest-billed
23
Entertainment / Sports / Media
Talent contracts, music publishing, film financing, sports endorsements and agent agreements, defamation, right of publicity, intellectual property in creative works.
When: Artist, athlete, or entertainment company negotiating deals or protecting rights.
Fee: Hourly ($250-$600/hr); sometimes commission-based (5-10% for certain negotiations)
Medicaid planning, long-term care planning, guardianship and conservatorship, nursing home contracts, Social Security disability, elder financial exploitation claims. Related to estate planning but focused on the living phase.
When: Parent or elderly person facing long-term care needs; guardianship required for incapacitated adult.
Fee: Hourly ($200-$400/hr); flat fee for Medicaid planning packages
What is the most expensive type of lawyer?
Complex commercial litigation, M&A attorneys at large firms, and patent attorneys at top IP firms typically charge $500-$1,500+/hr at BigLaw. Supreme Court specialists command premium rates. Complexity, market, and firm prestige all drive cost.
Do I need a specialist or can a general lawyer handle my case?
For routine matters (simple will, uncontested divorce, basic contract) a general practitioner may suffice. For anything involving specialised law -- patent prosecution, criminal defence, immigration, tax disputes -- a specialist is almost always worth the cost. ABA Model Rule 1.1 requires competence.
What is the difference between a tax attorney and a CPA?
A CPA is a licensed accounting professional. A tax attorney is a bar-admitted lawyer. For routine tax returns and IRS compliance, a CPA is usually appropriate. For tax litigation, criminal tax matters, or complex estate planning, a tax attorney is needed.
Can one lawyer handle multiple types of cases?
Yes, especially in smaller markets. General practitioners in rural areas handle wills, divorces, minor criminal matters, and real estate. Competence is the standard -- an attorney should not take on a matter beyond their expertise without associating with a specialist.
What is the cheapest type of attorney to hire?
For routine uncontested matters (simple wills, uncontested divorces, LLC formations), flat fees make costs predictable and relatively modest. Personal injury is free upfront (contingency). Legal aid is free for qualifying low-income individuals.
What does 'board certified' mean?
Board certification is a voluntary credential offered in several states (Texas, Florida, California, North Carolina and others) recognising demonstrated expertise in a specific area, beyond bar admission. It requires minimum years of practice, references, and a written examination.