The Law as a Career
By: Austin Braun
STRUCTURE OF A LAW FIRM
- Managing Partner: Sits at the law firm hierarchy. Manages day to day operations of the firm. The managing partner usually assumes the management responsibilities.
- Partner: Also called shareholders are lawyers who are joint owners and operators of the law firm.
- Associate: Have the prospect to becoming partners. You are either a junior or a senior associate in big law firms.
- Summer Associates: Interns at a law firm. They are people training to become lawyers and some are paid but most work for the experience.
TRADEMARK LAWYER
Facts
-Trademark lawyers are a separate recognized legal profession
-Most trademark lawyers start as patent lawyers
- Trade mark attorneys are also employed by large companies which have enough trade mark interests to need an attorney just to deal with their own matters
-Many trademark attorneys have undergraduate degrees in a variety of fields such as business administration, and marketing
LITIGATION ATTORNEY
-Litigation attorneys often conduct an initial case investigation to determine, in the plaintiff’s case, if enough evidence exists to file a lawsuit or, in the defendant’s case, what evidence exists to defend a potential suit.
-Litigation attorneys draft a variety of pleadings and motions on behalf of the plaintiff or defendant.
-In the weeks before trial, litigation attorneys wrap up discovery and prepare for trial. In the pre-trial stage, litigators consult with and advise clients; retain expert witnesses; attend pre-trial conferences and develop a trial strategy based on the facts and evidence.
-In cases that proceed to trial, litigation attorneys are busy around the clock presenting their case before the judge or preparing for the next day in court.
-Most cases never reach trial but instead are settled in order to eliminate the risk and expense of trial.
-If the litigation attorney does not obtain a favorable outcome at trial, he or she may appeal the case.
FOUR THINGS I LEARNED
2. Wisconsin is the only state that you do not have to take the BAR exam to become a lawyer.
3. All information is confidential between you and your client and can only be revealed during trial.
4. Most cases do not go to trial because they want to have room for speedy trials.