Law firms offer a wide range of services, which generally fall into two broad categories: Transactional (Deals) and Litigation/Dispute Resolution.
1. Transactional & Advisory Services
These services focus on preventing disputes, facilitating business, and ensuring legal compliance.
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Corporate & Commercial Law: Advising businesses on formation, governance (director/shareholder rights), contracts, and ensuring general legal compliance.
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Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A): Handling the legal aspects of one company buying, selling, or combining with another, including due diligence and negotiating deal terms.
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Banking & Finance: Advising banks, borrowers, and financial institutions on loans, structured finance, and compliance with financial regulations.
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Real Estate: Handling property transactions, development agreements, zoning issues, and landlord-tenant disputes.
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Estate Planning: Drafting wills, trusts, and powers of attorney for individuals to manage their assets and plan for the future.
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Intellectual Property (IP): Registering and protecting trademarks, patents, and copyrights; drafting licensing agreements.
2. Litigation & Dispute Resolution
These services focus on resolving conflicts that have already arisen.
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Litigation: Representing clients in court proceedings (trial and appeal) across various legal fields (e.g., commercial, civil, criminal, and family law).
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Dispute Resolution: Assisting clients in resolving conflicts outside of court through methods like Negotiation, Mediation, and Arbitration.
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Compliance & Investigations: Conducting internal corporate investigations and advising companies on anti-corruption and regulatory enforcement actions.
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Criminal Defense: Defending individuals accused of crimes, ensuring their rights are protected throughout the legal process.
⚖️ Types and Structures of Law Firms
Law firms vary significantly in size, structure, and specialization.
| Firm Type | Size (Approx.) | Primary Focus/Clients |
| Solo Practitioner | 1 lawyer | General practice, often serving individuals and small businesses locally. |
| Small/Boutique Firm | 2 to 50 lawyers | Boutiques specialize intensely in one niche area (e.g., IP, Tax, Divorce); Small firms may offer diversified general practice. |
| Mid-Sized Firm | 50 to 200 lawyers | Broad range of services, often handling more complex cases than small firms, but with a more limited scope than large firms. |
| Large/International Firm | Hundreds to thousands of lawyers | Full-service firms with multiple international offices, handling large-scale corporate, M&A, and finance transactions for multinational corporations. |
Common Internal Structures
Law firms are typically organized hierarchically:
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Partners: The joint owners and directors of the firm who share in the profits and are responsible for business development. This often includes Equity Partners (who own a share of the firm) and Non-Equity Partners (who are salaried but hold a senior management role).
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Associates: Salaried employees working towards the prospect of becoming partners.
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Support Staff: Paralegals, administrative staff, and various legal and business support teams.