ABA Family Legal Guide

When and How to Use a Lawyer

1.2 When Do You Need a Lawyer?

1.2b Types of Lawyers

Do lawyers normally work alone, or do most of them work for companies or the government?

About two-thirds of all lawyers are in private practice; many others work for corporations or the government. Firms of various sizes employ lawyers in private practice. Almost half of the lawyers in private practice are sole practitioners who work without any partners. Others join with one or more lawyers in partnerships. As the table shows, about a quarter of lawyers are in partnerships that have ten lawyers or fewer.