What’s the Difference Between an Attorney and a Trial Attorney?
The legal profession includes a wide variety of roles to address different needs and types of cases. While “lawyer” and “attorney” generally mean the same thing, there is a difference between an attorney and what we call a “trial attorney.” Here, we will explain the important distinctions you should know before hiring a personal injury lawyer in Bedford, TX.
What Is an Attorney?
An attorney, or lawyer, is a licensed professional who can give legal advice and represent clients in certain matters. Working as an attorney involves helping individuals, businesses, or government organizations solve legal problems or make important decisions. Sometimes, attorneys must go to court for their clients, but other times, they can solve legal issues without setting foot in a courtroom.
To become an attorney in Texas, a person must meet the following requirements:
- Have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university;
- Have a Juris Doctorate (J.D.) from a law school approved by the American Bar Association;
- Pass the Texas bar examination;
- Meet the standards of moral character set by the Texas Board of Law Examiners.
As you can see, a person must meet high standards and qualifications to become an attorney in Texas. Once licensed, an attorney will usually practice in an area of their choosing. For example, an attorney might draft wills and estate planning documents or help clients fight for custody of their children. Attorneys can work for corporations or governmental entities in an “in-house” capacity, advising their employer on legal issues and drafting documents to follow regulations and other requirements.
Many attorneys can work in their roles for years or decades without taking a case to trial. Only certain attorneys practice litigation, which is the resolution of legal disputes in a court of law. Even then, most cases settle without going to trial, so not all litigators are experienced trial lawyers.
Several key distinctions separate a trial attorney from other attorneys.
Courtroom Experience
Many attorneys go their whole careers without going to court for a client. Trial attorneys, on the other hand, are skilled litigators with vast experience representing their clients in a courtroom. Trial lawyers know how to file and present a case before a judge and jury and are familiar with the rules that must be followed during a case.
Litigation Focus
Trial attorneys handle cases that will end up in court if they are not resolved beforehand. An experienced personal injury lawyer will take your case knowing that a jury verdict might be the only outcome of the dispute. In a personal injury case, you do not want to hire an attorney whose goal is merely to settle the claim and avoid the courthouse. A skilled trial attorney will thrive in the courtroom, making key arguments and presenting evidence to advance a client’s case.
Trial Preparation Skills
Trial attorneys put significant time and effort into preparing a case for trial. In a trial setting, successful preparation makes an enormous difference for clients. A trial attorney will gather evidence, investigate the claim, interview witnesses, and apply the law to their client’s arguments.
Willingness to Take Risks
Taking a case to court involves a certain level of risk. There is always the possibility that a case will go to trial and a jury will find in favor of the other side. In other cases, developments might impact a client’s financial recovery for better or worse. A trial attorney understands these risks and knows how to address them.
Having tried many cases before, the trial lawyer can identify a case’s strengths and weaknesses and pursue a strategy geared toward the best outcome.
Experience With Jury Trials
A jury trial is different from any other legal proceeding, as it asks ordinary citizens to apply the law to the facts of a case. If your case goes to trial, you want an attorney who knows how to make their case before a jury of your peers effectively. This is easier said than done; not all attorneys have the expertise to win a favorable jury verdict.
Hire a Texas Trial Attorney for Your Personal Injury Case
Experience matters when you’ve been injured in an accident and need financial help in your path to recovery. An experienced trial attorney will have a proven track record and will not hesitate to take your personal injury case to trial.
Contact the Bedford Personal Injury Lawyers of Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers for Help Today
For more information, please contact an experienced car accident lawyer at Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers to schedule a free initial consultation today. We have convenient locations in Fort Worth and Bedford, Texas.
Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers – Fort Worth
209 N Hampton St,
Fort Worth, TX 76102
(817) 510-9400
Office Hours: Open 24 hours, 7 days a week
Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers – Bedford
2317 Plaza Pkwy #100,
Bedford, TX 76021
(817) 503-9200
Office Hours: Open 24 hours, 7 days a week
