Why would you want to litigate? Work in HR or Marketing? When that happens, it is especially important that the right lawyer is representing you. If that’s the kind of lawyer you’d like to be, keep reading for a closer look at what it takes to become a litigator in law school and after. Grow your employer brand. Faculty: Vincent Chirico. Add Answers or Comments. Flag as Inappropriate Flag as Inappropriate. Why Litigate: When would you WANT to choose litigation. In some ways, it’s like staying in school...but being paid for it. Just like there’s room in litigation for all personality types, there are myriad career paths for litigators. As is often the case for legal professionals, a litigator’s skills are readily transferable across different types of legal jobs. So You Want to be a Litigator… Really? If the stakes don’t warrant litigation, then consider alternatives like neutral-driven dispute resolution (NDR). What do you think about this article? Litigators can focus on civil or criminal law, and they can further specialize in a particular area like employment law, securities regulation, real estate, or patents. “The process of it, the constitutional aspects of it, the due process issues: all of that sparked my interest,” Kesselman says. These are a few of the reasons why litigation may be an appropriate choice to resolve a dispute. Each case takes on a life of its own, and the litigator must constantly evaluate next steps in light of what the judge or opposing counsel have done. Learn about the 2 sides of maintaining a practice – “the business” of litigation and the actual trying of your cases – and the secrets to excelling at them both. People often come to lawyers at times when they feel the most vulnerable; a good litigator can help them through the legal process, advocate on their behalf, and help ensure they sleep a little better at night. Why do you want to be a litigator? Summary: Find out why it is so hard to be a good litigator and why there are so many unsuccessful litigators in this article. Date: Online . 4. Our judicial system is designed to give people a chance to tell their story and be treated with respect and dignity. Litigation is the riskiest, most demanding, and most thankless practice area there is. For example, if an agency is looking at your treatment of employees and whether you give them adequate meal breaks or how you have classified workers as employees or contractors, you may want to litigate the issue rather than waiting for an agency decision. If that’s the kind of lawyer you’d like to be, keep reading for a closer look at what it takes to become a litigator in law school and after. Answer. Networking is not something that comes easily for all people, but building relationships with other lawyers can be invaluable for the litigator. We hope you enjoy their opinions. Although, if you really want Heck, many litigators do not even go to trial because most cases settle. ... A litigator is a trial lawyer who negotiates disputes that go to court. Add to cart. Add to cart $ 75 $ 50. As the semester moves on, they will become increasingly familiar with the facts of the case and will be challenged to do more and more complex tasks—the kind of tasks that one would expect from any litigation attorney. You are right (or at least you think you are right) and you need to set a precedent the will preempt or discourage similar future claims, or send a particular message to others about you. Rate it using the stars above and let us know what you think in the comments below. We asked five attorneys the following question: "After graduating from law school, why do many students choose a career as a litigator?" You’ll also learn the practical business side of being a litigator: when to take a case (or not), how to get paid for your services, and how to ethically represent a client. Small firm and solo practitioners can often dive right into litigation work after law school, representing lower-stakes contract and tort claims early in their careers. An attorney doesn't necessarily have to be both, but many are. Most were not. It traditionally draws extroverts, perhaps in part because television and movies depict courtroom scenes as confrontational and dramatic. A company’s intellectual property can be its most important asset, and protecting it can be an essential part of your business. Matters involving wills, trusts, probate estates and guardianships sometimes, unexpectedly, end up in court. While in law school, train yourself to read materials carefully and keep an eye out for the little details that make a big difference to the outcome. Each situation requires the lawyer to think carefully about the best next step. And because litigation can arise in any type of law, from criminal to tax, success in litigation is not limited to a specific background or educational profile. Sometimes it pays to be aggressive. Setting a precedent that you aren’t a pushover or will not be coerced into rolling over in a spurious dispute may be the most important reason for you to choose litigation. Why would you want to litigate? Attitude and confidence are fed by preparation. Although this may be true, it does not offer any strategic insight into why a party might choose litigation to resolve a dispute. Anyone who is willing to dive deeply into the facts of a case and willing to take the time to master the procedural rules can succeed in a litigation career. Now, I’ll take a look at the other side of the coin and discuss when litigation might be the more appropriate solution. Sometimes you may have to resort to litigation to make your public policy point. For many litigators, the daily grind involves working mindlessly on matters about as interesting as watching dew form on sand overnight in the middle of the desert. Get a free employer account. Like many law students, Justin Kesselman came to law school not knowing where, exactly, his JD was going to take him. Litigation rewards creativity and attention to detail. “I was hooked,” he says. This is one of the most common strategic reasons to use litigation, often employed in personal injury or product liability or toxic/hazardous exposure and waste cases where illnesses and other medical problems are a result of company or industry behavior. Protect Your Intellectual Property Before going down the road of litigation, you … Resolve a Public Policy Issue However, litigating a patent can also be a double-edged sword if a patent is found to be invalid. They will write and argue a motion before the court, prepare an expert witness for deposition, and prepare an opening statement for a jury trial. Put a Competitor Out of Business Litigation can be a great legal career for the service-minded as well, because it allows you to help people in moments of great need. Previously, I wrote an article on reasons why you should avoid litigation.Now, I’ll take a look at the other side of the coin and discuss when litigation might be the more appropriate solution. But there is room in litigation for every personality type. We hope law students will find their answers beneficial before they prepare to take their bar exams. If you have an emotionally appealing story to tell, you may want a jury deciding your case. It will bring you future business, provide a strong base of colleagues, and help keep you emotionally healthy. If you don’t mind—or even relish—the spotlight, litigation might be the right legal specialty for you. 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