law firm

a firm of lawyers

A law firm is a business entity formed by one or more lawyers to engage in the practice of law.

Function - The primary service provided by a law firm is to advise clients (individuals or corporations) about their legal rights and Obligationresponsibilities, and to represent their clients in civil casecivil or Criminal lawcriminal cases. Smaller firms tend to focus on particular specialties of the law (e.g. patent law, labor law, tax law, criminal defense, personal injury); larger firms may be composed of several specialized practice groups, allowing the firm to diversify their client base and market, and to offer a variety of services to their clients.

Organization - Law firms are organized in a variety of ways, depending on the jurisdiction in which the firm practices. Common arrangements include:

Sole proprietorship, in which the attorney ''is'' the law firm and is responsible for all profit, loss and liability;

General partnership, in which all of the attorneys in the firm equally share ownership and liability;

Professional corporations, which issue stock to the attorneys in a fashion similar to that of a business corporation;

Limited liability company, in which the attorney-owners are called "members" but are not directly liable to third party creditors of the law firm;

Professional association, which operates similarly to a professional corporation or a limited liability company;

Limited liability partnership (LLP), in which the attorney-owners are called "partners", but are not liable to third party creditors of the law firm, except in certain limited circumstances.In many countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom, there is a rule that only lawyers may have an ownership interest in a law firm. Thus, law firms cannot quickly raise capital through initial public offerings on the stock market, like most corporations. In the United States this rule is promulgated by the American Bar Association and adhered to in almost all U.S. jurisdictions.The rule was created in order to prevent conflicts of interest. In the adversarial system of justice, a lawyer has a duty to be a zealous and loyal advocate on behalf of the client. Also, as an officer of the court, a lawyer has a duty to be honest and to not file frivolous cases. A lawyer working as a shareholder-employee of a publicly traded law firm would be strongly tempted to evaluate decisions in terms of their effect on the stock price and the shareholders, which would directly conflict with the lawyer's duties to the client and to the courts.In the United Kingdom lawyers are divided between barristers, who plead in the higher courts and give expert opinions on points of law, and solicitors who act directly for clients. Even though barristers are traditionally seen as the senior branch of the legal profession, and the most distinguished British lawyers are generally barristers, most barristers are self-employed sole practioners (although they share facilties in sets of rooms known as "chambers", usually at one of the four Inns of Court). All the the main UK law firms are firms of solicitors.

Structure and Promotion - Larger firms are typically organized around partnershippartners, who are joint owners and board of directorsbusiness directors of the legal operation; associates, who are employees of the firm with the prospect of becoming partners; and a variety of staff employees, providing paralegal, clerical, and other support services. An associate may have to wait as long as 9 years before the decision is made as to whether the associate "makes partner". Many law firms have an "up-or-out policy": associates who do not make partner are required to resign, either to join another firm, go it alone as a solo practitioner, go to work in-house in a corporate legal department, or change professions (burnout rates are very high in law).Making partner is very prestigious, especially at a large or midsize firm. Such firms take out advertisements in legal newspapers to announce who has made partner. Traditionally, partners shared directly in the profits of the firm, after paying salaried employees, the landlord, and the usual costs of furniture, office supplies, and books for the law library (or a database subscription). However, many large law firms have moved to a two-tiered partnership model, with equity and non-equity partners. Equity partners are considered to have ownership stakes in the firm, and share in the profits (and losses) of the firm. Non-equity partners are generally paid a fixed salary (albeit much higher than associates), and they are often granted certain limited voting rights with respect to firm operations. It is rare for a partner to be forced out by his fellow partners, although that can happen if the partner commits a crime or malpractice, becomes insane or senile, or is not contributing to the firm's overall profitability. In contrast, most corporate executives are at much higher risk of being fired, even when the underlying cause is not directly their fault, such as a drop in the company's stock price.In the United States, many large and midsize firms have attorneys with the job title of "counsel", "special counsel" or "of counsel." These attorneys are employees of the firm like associates, although some firms have an independent contractor relationship with their of counsel. But unlike associates, and more like partners, they generally have their own clients, manage their own cases, and supervise associates. However, even though the firm trusts them enough to take them under its roof and let them share its brand name and resources, the firm does not trust them enough to make them partners and let them share in the firm's profits or in its management. The title is often seen among former associates who do not make partner, or who are laterally recruited to other firms, or who work as in-house counsel and then return to the big firm environment. At some firms (such as Skadden, Arps), the title "of counsel" is given to retired partners who maintain ties to the firm.

Size - Law firms range widely in size. At the bottom are solo practitioners (lawyers practicing alone), who form the vast majority of lawyers in most countries. In North America, there are also many small firms (2 to 50 lawyers) and midsize firms (50 to 200 lawyers). Lawyers in small cities and towns may still have old-fashioned general practices, but most urban lawyers tend to be highly specialized due to the overwhelming complexity of the law today. Thus, some small firms in the cities specialize in practicing only one kind of law (like employment or intellectual property) and are called "boutique" firms. At the top are the megafirms with more than 1,000 lawyers. These firms have offices on multiple continents, bill $500 per hour or higher, and have a high ratio of support staff per attorney. They can and do litigate every issue, often burying their opponents in a blizzard of paper; the result has been a kind of legal "arms race" where every large corporation tries to retain the services of the biggest law firm they can afford. Megafirms like to call themselves "full-service" firms because they have departments specializing in every type of legal work that pays well, which usually means transactions and defense. These firms rarely do plaintiffs' personal injury work. However the largest law firms are not very large compared to other major businesses. The tradition of firms being based in a single state limits the size of U.S. firms and four of the six largest firms in the world are based in London in the United Kingdom ? bmacewen.com. In 2003 the largest was Clifford Chance, which had revenue of just over one and a half billion U.S. dollars (this can be compared with $285 billion for Wal-Mart, though this is a somewhat unfair comparison since like its retail cousins Wal-Mart operates on narrow margins).

Location - Most law firms are located in office buildings of various sizes, ranging from modest one-story buildings to some of the tallest skyscrapers in the world (though only in 2004, Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP was the first firm to put its name on a skyscraper). Some solo practitioners practice out of their homes or in offices built as special additions to their homes. Because their "work product" is often intangible, or at least conceptually difficult for clients to grasp, firms are notorious for using jaw-dropping interior design as a crude "shock and awe" tactic to impress prospective clients and terrify opposing counsel. Besides fantastic views and enormous amounts of open floor space, the offices of the largest megafirms are usually decorated with designer furniture and fine art worthy of the most extravagant dot-coms. In contrast, the typical small public interest firm is located in a cramped two-story building with bars on the windows, lead paint, asbestos, and furniture older than many of the younger lawyers who work there.In early 2005, it was widely publicized that one personal injury plaintiffs' firm in the state of New York has been experimenting with bus-sized "mobile law offices." The firm insists that it does not ambulance chaserchase ambulances. It claims that a law office on wheels is more convenient for personal injury plaintiffs, who are often recovering from severe injuries and thus find it difficult to travel far from their homes for an intake interview. It is not yet clear whether this experiment will grow into a trend.

In Fiction - A number of television shows such as ''L.A. Law'', ''The Practice'', and ''Boston Legal'' have revolved around relationships occurring in fictional law firms, highlighting both public fascination with and misperception of the characteristic lives of lawyers in high-powered settings.

See also -

List of law firmsCategory:Law firms*

Mata & Pitti
Attorneys at Law at the Republic of Panama; focused on Panama offshore services, incorporations and international tax planning.
http://www.matapitti.com/

Buset & Partners LLP
At Buset & Partners LLP, We offer a practical and informed approach to meeting the legal needs of our clients with a consistent commitment of quality, thoroughness and efficiency.
http://www.buset-partners.com/

Injury Lawyer
Law Firm
http://www.shapero.net/

3LAW.com - US Patent, Trademark and Technology Law Attorney
Registered US patent lawyer with a multidisciplinary background in physics, chemistry, semiconductor, computer, electronics, medical technologies and biotech, located and licensed in the United States of America, speaking both English and Chinese (Mandarin), and providing worldwide services in patent law, trademark law and technology laws with a focus in the US and Chinese-speaking regions; also providing specialized services in EB-1 and EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW) for outstanding scientists and engineers immigrating to US.
http://www.3law.com/

Paul M. Sullivan, Jr., Attorney at Law, P.A.
Attorney concentrating on assisting claimants unjustly deprived of benefits by ERISA plans.
http://www.erisaclaims.com/

Frattallone Law Firm
Lawyer Salvatore Frattallone belongs to Padua Bar: he is involved in Penal Defense. His more recent essays regarded: defensive investigations, computer crimes and computer related crimes, defense of intellectual property, privacy and data protection, chemist liability, violation of civil duty alimony and children support, handbook about lawyers and money laundering regulation. The LAWYER'S OFFICE is situed in Padova, Trieste Gallery 6 (35121) Italy (voice +39049.655.488, modem-fax +39.049.878.72.75) and other Offices are in Vicenza (VI), Castelfranco Veneto (TV), and Dolo (VE), Italy too. His Law Firm even attends to litigation, real estate and trade law, business and contractarian, contract work and public corporations, labour law as well as family law.
http://www.frattallone.it/index_english.html

Investor Lawyer
Experienced Chicago litigator to pursue investor loss cases and class actions
http://www.prossnitzlaw.com/

The Eley Law Firm
We represent workers who are injured on the job in Colorado.
http://www.eleylawfirm.com/

Arbitration, Securities & Investment Fraud Law
Securities arbitrations, common claims, prohibited practices, sue your stockbroker for fraud, negligence, breach of fiduciary duty, sale of unsuitable investments
http://www.securitiesarbitrations.com/

The Law Office of Philip L. Arnel - Boston/Dedham, Massachusetts Lawyer
A full service Boston/Dedham, Massachusetts law office with extensive experience in personal injury matters including, but not limited to, motor vehicle, car, automobile, motorcycle, truck, bus, recreational, construction, premises, slip and fall, etc., and criminal defense including, but not limited to, drunk driving/OUI/DUI/DWI, motor vehicle offenses, sex offenses, drug offenses, gun charges, violent crimes, assault and battery, restraining orders, larceny, shoplifting, probation hearings, clerk's hearings, etc., and a strong emphasis on providing legal services in the most cost-effective, efficient and results-oriented manner. Free initial consultations and flexible appointment times. Any messages are promptly returned. Please visit our website.
http://www.arnellawoffice.com/

PIGLIACAMPO LAW FIRM - ITALY
Civil law - Banking, Business Law, Commercial and Contract, Commercial Litigation, Consumer Law, Credit, European Community Law, Health, Healthcare Law, Import/Export, Insolvency, Insurance, Litigation, Local, Municipal and State Law, Medical Malpractice, Motor Vehicle Accidents, Motor Vehicules, Personal Property, Professional Malpractice, Property and Real Estate, Real Estate, Trade.
http://www.studiolegalepigliacampo.it

Advocate Seifert - Dubai - UAE
Advocate Seifert - practising law in Dubai as partner of Al Sharif Advocates & Legal Consultants Dubai, one of the leading law firms in the UAE, legal consultation on commercial issues, litigation ...
http://www.dubailawyer.com

AZZAWI LAW COM
Iraqi lawyer
http://www.azzawilaw.com/

http://www.floridacorporationsite.com/
One stop resource for Florida Incorporation and Business formation in Florida
http://www.floridacorporationsite.com/

The Rushforth Firm, Ltd.
Home page for The Rushforth Firm, Ltd., a two-attorney Las Vegas, Nevada law firm focusing on trust and estate matters (including estate planning, probate, estate and trust administration, and related disputes) and business planning. Link to estate planning educational pages.
http://www.rushforthfirm.com/

US Green Cards for Professionals
Professionals is all we do. If you have a B.S. or higher, you may qualify for our program. We will then build a case for you, with a money-back guarantee!
http://www.usaimmigrationagency.com/

legal sanity
blog
http://www.legalsanity.com/

Affordable Immigration Lawyers
Affordable American and British immigration lawyers for employment & family-based immigration, K-1 visas, H-1B, HSMP applications, work permits, and investment visas. High success rate. Offices worldwide.
http://www.immigrationone.com/

POINT LEGAL LLC
POINT LEGAL provides highly professional recruitment of exceptional attorneys from a limited and discerning candidate development program. We specialize in the permanent placement of attorneys for law firm and in-house positions. Our focused searches provide successful long-term matches which meet the goals of both our candidates and clients. POINT LEGAL also seeks attorneys with top credentials for temporary assignment. Our temporary assignments provide flexibility, variety and the opportunity for both candidates and employers to evaluate the potential of a permanent position. We offer assignments for any time period, in many specialties and at all experience levels. POINT LEGAL employs the energy and talent of a consulting staff comprised of attorneys who have achieved academic and professional success at the highest levels throughout their careers. We have over eighty years of combined national practice experience in major law firms and corporate law departments, and we bring this same level of expertise and commitment to our recruiting services.
http://www.pointlegal.com/

Studio Legale Diamantakis
Lo studio offre servizi di consulenza ed assistenza legale, giudiziale e stragiudiziale nelle seguenti materie: Diritto Civile Diritto Immobiliare Diritto Fallimentare Diritto Commerciale Diritto Societario (costituzione e modifica di società) Contrattualistica Recupero crediti Esecuzioni forzate mobiliari ed immobiliari Diritto di famiglia Separazioni - Divorzi Successioni - Donazioni Infortunistica stradale
http://www.diamantakis.it/

Mesothelioma Law Firm Help
Find a mesothelioma law firm in your area.
http://www.mesotheliomalawfirm.us/

New York Commercial and Real Estate Litigation Firm
Personalized, prompt attention is given to every matter. The law firm of Gary J. Wachtel, Esq. looks with pride at a roster of diverse clients, which range from individuals and privately-owned businesses to major real estate companies and multi-state corporations. Other lawyers and law firms often pay the ultimate compliment of retaining Mr. Wachtel’s services for their clients. He does not accept a matter unless he is certain he can service it efficiently and effectively. Every client is important to the firm and is treated accordingly. He does not believe that every matter requires a large firm, cadres of lawyers or bureaucracy. Rather, ability, experience, service and direct accountability are the components of effective legal representation. He looks forward to the opportunity to prove to you that these are not mere words; that both you and Mr. Wachtel will derive mutual satisfaction from the services rendered to you.
http://www.garywachtel.com/

Law Office of Jan Alex Dash
The Law Office of Jan Alex Dash is located in the City of New York offers legal services at our Office in the Clinton Hill section of the Borough of Brooklyn. Our specialist practice areas include; Bankruptcy, Business Law, Estates and Wills, Landlord-Tenant Law, Matrimonial, Real Estate Transactions and Trusts. We are also the owner and New York State Licensed Real Estate Broker for Applestar Realty Limited. We also practice in the beautiful Caribbean island of Nevis with Liburd and Dash, Attorneys-at-Law, LLC, the premier law practice on the Island. We are licensed in the British Virgin Islands and are also affiliated with organizations and firms in Bermuda. We have a broad base of experience and are able to fulfill the needs of our clients with sound, practical and reliable legal advice.
http://www.janalexdash.com/

class action litigation
Class Action Litigation Information is a service provided by Timothy E. Eble, P.A. This website is maintained to provide a useful legal research source for attorneys. It is also maintained as a free service to assist the public in understanding class action litigation, government, and the legal system.
http://www.classactionlitigation.com/

McEwen Law Firm
A Personal Injury Law Firm serving Minnesota and the Upper Midwest
http://www.mcewenlaw.com/

Montana Injury Lawyers
If you have been injured by someone else's carelessness get the help you need fast. Call 1-800-272-7744 today.
http://www.bulmanlaw.com/

The Center for Special Needs Planning
The Center for Special Needs Planning is a team of attorneys who specialize in addressing all of the legal needs of families that have a loved one with a disability. As experienced and knowledgeable special needs attorneys, our goal is to help you plan for the future and security of your special loved one with a disability. Have you ever wondered who will take care of and provide for your child with special needs after you are gone? How do you pass an inheritance on to your special needs loved one (when he or she cannot have more than $2,000.00) without effecting their governmental benefits? If you have a loved one with a disability — and rely upon a will to cover their future care — your loved one's inheritance can be taken away by the government. To ensure that governmental benefits (such as Medicaid or SSI) are never altered, diminished or destroyed, it is imperative that you establish Special Needs Planning — including a special needs trust — through the experienced lawyers of The Center for Special Needs Planning. We believe that Special Needs Planning is so important we commonly refer to it as a Miracle on Paper.
http://www.thecenterforspecialneedsplanning.com/

Thailand Lawyer
Thai law firm, managed by American attorney, specialists in real estate, land, condo lease or purchase maarriage and divorce, USA immigration, fiance visa, investigation and other aspects of Thailand law.
http://www.thailand-lawyer.com

Siji Soetan & Co.,
A commercial and energy law firm based in Nigeria serving international clients
http://www.sijisoetanlegal.com/

Portland Personal Injury Lawyer - Steve Smucker
Portland Personal Injury Lawyer
http://www.portlandlawyer.com/

Lawyers.com
A simplified interface to the Martindale-Hubbell legal directory for consumers, also providing legal information.
http://www.lawyers.com/

Powers Phillips, PC
Practice includes municipal and tax-exempt finance, corporate, healthcare, employment, antitrust, domestic relations, litigation, real estate, environmental, constitutional, administrative, and governmental relations. Offices in Denver and Carbondale.
http://www.ppbfh.com/

Chan Robles and Associates Law Firm
Philippine law firm with worldwide affiliates, Atty. Joselito Guianan Chan, Reynaldo Bustos Robles.
http://www.chanrobles.com

Intellectual Property Law Server
Answers to frequently asked questions about patents, copyrights, and trademarks, from the law firm of Oppedahl & Larson.
http://www.patents.com/