A family lawyer deals with sensitive issues like divorce, custody, property division and child support. She or he must be well-versed in laws of the state where she or he practices and have good interpersonal, mediation, and trial advocacy skills.
A successful family law attorney often takes part in internships or clerkships while still in school to get a feel for the field and hone her or his skills. It typically takes about seven years of study to qualify as a lawyer, including four years of undergraduate studies and three of law school.
Once a person has graduated from law school, he or she must pass the bar exam to become a licensed lawyer. The American Bar Association offers a section on family law and has many resources for its members, such as conferences, webinars, and email updates about new or interesting cases.
In addition to divorce and separation, other common matters dealt with by a family lawyer are domestic violence, estate planning, adoptions, and guardianships. Family law may also overlap with immigration, as in the case of a married couple who has children from different countries.
Eiges & Orgel PLLC is a law firm located in New York City that assists clients with family law-related matters. It has more than 60 years of combined experience and handles divorce, adoption, spousal support, and child custody cases. Its attorneys have been recognized by several organizations, such as Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers in America.