There are several important things to take into consideration when choosing a law firm in New Jersey. This article will provide information on Practice areas, diversity initiatives, government relations, reputation and other factors that could help you select the best choice. While working with established firms has many advantages, it can also be difficult to find the right value for money. Read on to learn more about the benefits of choosing a firm that has a long-standing reputation for excellence.
Practice areas
New Jersey law firms are broken down into practice areas. The top specialty areas are real estate, corporate compliance, intellectual property, government regulation, health and safety, construction, and litigation. These practices are especially active in the Garden State where many businesses have serious legal issues. Some of these areas include employment and labor laws, government regulation, and litigation. Other practice areas are less popular, but are still popular, such as immigration, employment, and white-collar crime.
Lowenstein Law Firm, the oldest New Jersey law firm, was founded in Newark 1845. The firm moved to Roseland during the 1980s. Founder Alan V. Lowenstein was a prominent figure in the charter reform movement in Newark, where he represented the State of NJ in negotiations to create NJ Transit. He founded the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice and became a highly respected corporate and banking attorney. Lowenstein Law Firm, which represents both technology and hedge fund companies, also acts as a government lobbyist and investigator.
Diversity initiatives
While many New Jersey law firms are making strides in improving the representation of women and minorities in their legal departments, more can still be done. Cullen and Dykman, two prominent law firms in New Jersey, have intensified their recruitment efforts at Rutgers' state-of-the-art schools. These schools are known for their diversity. One-third (33%) of their students are from underrepresented groups. These law firms' diversity initiatives are a testament of their commitment for a more inclusive and diverse profession.
In addition to recruiting qualified women from diverse backgrounds, law firms are also increasing the number of affinity groups that cater to attorneys of diverse backgrounds. Affinity bars associations should get involved in recruitment efforts. Diversity initiatives should be used to promote the growth of lawyers as thought leaders, by providing them with speaking and written opportunities. Archer Law's Women's Advancement Initiative is one example of a diversity initiative. It focuses on the creation of a complete toolbox for professional and personal development.
Relations between the Government
Lawyers are a vital part of the law firm practice. But how do they get involved in government relations? The State Bar Association in New Jersey represents attorneys and has an award-winning Government Relations Program. The state bar association does more than lobby. It also works with the governor, legislature, as well as other government officials to resolve issues that affect New Jersey attorney. The government relations program of the state bar association has helped attorneys and firms gain access to many resources.
Gibbons, for example, has a dedicated group dedicated to government relations. Its Trenton office includes the Government & Regulatory Affairs Group. It has extensive expertise in government relations, and also works with the state's executive branch. It also coordinates large projects of public-private co-development in the state. Gibbons Government & Regulatory Affairs Group’s government relations attorneys have a strong background with civil litigation and have built strong relationships and trust with various state agencies and municipalities.
Reputation
You should research the reputation of any New Jersey lawyer you are considering hiring. The NJ Law Supplement lists law firms based on the number of lawyers they represent. This supplement can help you learn more about a firm's reputation. Ask your friends and colleagues to refer you. You will be able to get a feel for the firm's success. There are many excellent firms out there, but only a handful that are highly rated.
Some of the most reputable firms have earned national reputations by winning high-profile cases. Gibbons PC, a prominent white collar firm, won a case that defended a major builder against fuel tank defect claims by Ford Motor Co. Cole Schotz LLP in New Jersey has represented major companies throughout bankruptcy proceedings. It also assisted a brewery in defending its brand name against major competitors.
FAQ
What are the required years to become a Lawyer?
The answer is not always as simple as it seems. While you need to be a hard worker for at most four years after graduating high school, there are also other factors.
Also, you must pass exams and score well enough to be accepted into law school. Then, you'll continue to study law for two more years.
After all of that, you'll be graduating from law school. Next, you'll return to college to continue studying for the bar exam. You are now a licensed attorney if you pass this exam.
What is the difference between a paralegal and a legal assistant?
Paralegals can be trained to do specific tasks like typing, filing, and researching. Paralegals can assist attorneys with research, writing motions, and preparation of pleadings. Both types of professionals help attorneys complete their workload.
What is the difference between a civil and personal injury lawyer?
Individuals who are injured due to no fault of their own can seek the help of personal injury lawyers. These injuries could include car accidents, slip-and-falls, dog bites, and many more.
These civil rights lawyers represent individuals whose constitutional rights have not been respected. This could include discrimination based racial, gender, sexual orientation, disability, and so on.
What kind of job opportunities are there once I graduate?
Graduates have the option of three main career paths: public interest or private practice. Public interest jobs include being an attorney at a charity or as judge. Private practice positions include being a solo practitioner, a partner in a firm, or corporate counsel. One of the many government service positions is as a defense attorney, prosecutor, or judge.
Can I become a Lawyer without Law School?
Yes, you can!
A non-lawyer college degree will suffice if your knowledge of the legal system is good. It is important to understand how laws work together, and how they differ.
You need to know how to read and interpret regulations, statutes and court decisions. Understanding the fundamental concepts of constitution, administrative, contract, property, criminal, civil procedure, evidence and torts, as well as intellectual property, employment, and bankruptcy law is essential.
You must pass the bar examination to practice law. The bar exam tests both your legal knowledge as well as your ability to apply law to real-life situations. It's a test of your general knowledge of the law and of your ability to analyze cases and write briefs.
The bar exam has two phases. One is the written section, and one is the oral section. The written section consists of multiple-choice questions. Simulated trials are the oral part. Before you can sit for the bar examination, you will need to prepare for it.
Passing the bar exam is not enough. You must also be admitted to the state where your intention to practice legal profession. Different jurisdictions have different admission requirements. You can check with State Bar Association for information.
Statistics
- According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary for lawyers in 2020 was $126,930. (stfrancislaw.com)
- The median annual salary for lawyers in 2016 was $118,160, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). (rasmussen.edu)
- According to a 2019 Robert Half Legal Consulting Solutions survey, 54% of law firms were planning to expand their legal teams. (stfrancislaw.com)
- Though the BLS predicts that growth in employment for lawyers will continue at six percent through 2024, that growth may not be enough to provide jobs for all graduating law school students. (rasmussen.edu)
- Just 59.2 percent of 2015 law school grads held full-time, long-term jobs as lawyers 10 months after graduation, according to data from the American Bar Association (ABA). (rasmussen.edu)
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How To
How to become an attorney
How do you become a lawyer? The first thing you should do when thinking about becoming a lawyer is to find out what kind of law you want to practice. There are many different kinds of law, such as criminal law, family law, real estate law, corporate law, etc. If you want to specialize in one type of law, then you must study that specific area of law. If you wish to become a specialist in family law, for example, you will need to take courses at your university on Family law and then pass the exams. You will be able to effectively handle cases in this particular field. After passing these tests, you can apply for admission to a school where you can get training on how to work in this field. This can take a while so make sure you're really interested in becoming a lawyer.
It is possible to study law in college, and become a lawyer. In this case, you will receive a bachelor's degree in law. After that, you are eligible to work as a legal assistant or paralegal. Paralegals help lawyers prepare their files and documents. He/she will collect client data, prepare contracts, draft court papers and make copies. An administrative task such as answering phones or filing papers is performed by a legal secretary. Because it's very rewarding, many people decide to become lawyers after college. However, there are many other ways to become a lawyer besides going to college. People may decide to become a lawyer even without formal education. Some people just read articles and books about law to learn how to become lawyers. It's not easy to become an attorney without going to college. Most states require applicants for a law degree. Many judges prefer candidates who have completed law school.
If you don’t know what type of law suits you best, you might consider your interests. Do you enjoy helping others? Are you interested in politics or helping others? Maybe you'd rather support people than argue against them. You can use your interest to become a lawyer, no matter what it is.
A law firm is another way to become a lawyer. Because they are passionate about their job, lawyers often join law firms. Lawyers love helping people and arguing cases. It's not a good idea to work for a law firm if it is something you hate. Instead of joining a law firm, you could open up your own office. You might hire someone to help. You can still help people in any way you choose.
It is possible to become a lawyer even without graduating from college. Either enroll in an accredited online law school, or you can earn an associate's degree. Both will equip you with the necessary knowledge to become an attorney. Online law schools allow you to have flexible classes and schedules that work around your busy schedule. An associate's degree allows you to gain more practical experience.
In conclusion, whether you want to become a lawyer or not, you must be prepared to put in lots of hard work. You will need the ability to study each day, pass exams, as well as complete internships. Even though it may not be your favorite thing to do, you will eventually enjoy the benefits of being an attorney.