Whom do you contact to review your important documents such as a living will, the power of attorney of your company, a trust, or a lease? Where do you look for a lawyer to represent you in the court case involving estate planning, personal injury, or a divorce? Legal matters that do not require specialized study of law is known as general practice law and the attorney working in the said field is known as a general practice lawyer.

Educational qualifications of a general practice lawyer

A total of seven years is required to complete the study of law. This includes four years of undergraduate study followed by three years of law school.

Once an aspiring lawyer earns a bachelor’s degree, the next step is to earn the Juris Doctor (JD) degree. To practice as a licensed attorney in the country, one must attend a law school that is accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA).

Moreover, one must pass the state’s bar examination to legally practice law in a state. To be able to practice law in multiple states, attorneys need to pass the bar examinations in respective states as well.

Fee arrangements of general practice lawyers

Although the billing approach is similar to that of any other lawyer, the fees of a general practice lawyer would depend on several factors like the location and the complexity of the case. It is, therefore, crucial to negotiate and understand the ongoing fees of a general practice lawyer to avoid any surprises on the bill. Moreover, the fees of an attorney will be paid depending on one or more of the following conditions:

• flat fee ($300 to $1,200)
• hourly rate
• contingency fee
• retainer fee

Find a general practice lawyer

One of the best ways to find a general practice lawyer is to contact the top-rated law firms. Also, there are numerous websites where you can find information about various lawyers practicing the general areas of law.