What Kind of Lawyer Do I Need?
Posted on: November 18, 2025When you find yourself needing an attorney, you are already dealing with stress, uncertainty, and a situation you did not plan for. The last thing you want is to spend hours calling firm after firm only to hear, “We don’t handle that type of case.”
Most people are not familiar with the different categories of law, and you shouldn’t have to be. You just want to talk to the right kind of attorney as quickly as possible so you can move forward instead of wasting time.
The good news is, figuring out which type of lawyer you need is much simpler than it seems. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the most common categories so you can match your situation to the right type of lawyer and you take the next step with confidence.
Why It Helps To Know the Type of Lawyer You Need
Lawyers focus on specific areas of the law, much like doctors focus on specific areas of medicine. Knowing the general category your situation falls into can help you avoid wasting time and get you to the right attorney faster. You want a lawyer who is focused on an area of the law because they are more likely to be experts in that area.
When you start with the correct type of lawyer, you skip the frustration of calling office after office just to find out they cannot help you. You also get answers sooner because your case lands on the desk of someone who handles situations like yours every day.
This is especially helpful here in Florida, where legal issues can move quickly and deadlines come up faster than people expect.
You do not need to know the fine details of your case or the exact subtype of law involved. You just need to understand the broad category, and the right attorney can guide you from there.
Wondering if you have a case? Take our quiz to find out.
When you are trying to figure out what kind of lawyer to call, it helps to start with the basics. Here is a simple way to match your situation to the most common legal categories so you can narrow down who to contact first.
If Your Situation Involves an Injury…
Personal injury law covers any situation where you were harmed because someone else acted carelessly, failed to follow safety rules, or created an unsafe environment.
Common examples include:
Pedestrian or bicycle injuries
Slip and falls
Unsafe property or negligent security incidents
Injuries caused by defective or dangerous products
Severe or life changing injuries
Wrongful death
Work-related injuries that fall under workers’ compensation
While all of these fall under personal injury, not every attorney handles each type. We will explain how to choose the right personal injury lawyer later.
If Your Situation Does Not Involve an Injury…
While our firm doesn’t handle these matters, many people searching this question are dealing with non-injury issues. To help you get pointed in the right direction, here are the most common legal categories:
Family issues (divorce, custody, adoption) → Family lawyer
Criminal charges or arrests → Criminal defense lawyer
Landlord tenant disputes or property conflicts → Real estate lawyer
Contracts, business disputes or trademarks → Business lawyer
Problems at work (discrimination, wrongful termination) → Employment lawyer
Immigration or citizenship questions → Immigration lawyer
Wills, trusts or probate → Estate planning lawyer
If you are in the Orlando or Oviedo area and unsure who to call for a non-injury matter, Beers and Gordon can help connect you with a trusted local attorney who handles cases in that field. We have personally used a number of local attorneys and also have had many clients use these attorneys. We can help direct you to the person best for your needs. In fact, calling an attorney you know and trust for a recommendation is often the best place to start.
How To Choose a Personal Injury Attorney
Once you know that your situation falls under personal injury law, the next step is choosing the right attorney.
Personal injury is a broad field, and not every lawyer has experience with every type of case. The attorney you choose can make a meaningful difference in how your case moves forward and the outcome you ultimately receive.
Here are a few things to look for when comparing personal injury lawyers:
1. Look for experience with your specific type of case
A car accident case is not the same as a trucking accident, a negligent security claim, or an injury caused by a defective product. Each one has different rules, potential evidence requirements, and challenges.
An attorney who routinely handles cases like yours will be able to anticipate issues early and build a stronger case from the beginning. Additionally, attorneys that have limited experience in your type of case can make a mistake that could be devastating to your case.
2. Make sure they regularly deal with insurance companies
Most injury cases start with an insurance claim. The attorney you choose should understand how insurance companies evaluate claims and know how to push back when they try to minimize or deny compensation. Jim Gordon practiced as an insurance defense attorney for 10 years and knows how insurance companies work.
3. Ask about their courtroom experience
While many cases settle, some do need to go to court. Insurance companies know which attorneys rarely file lawsuits and which ones are ready to argue a case in front of a jury.
Lawyers with trial experience often have stronger negotiating power because insurers take them more seriously from the start. David Beers, now of counsel to the firm, has maintained a board certification in civil trial law since 1984.
4. Find out who will actually handle your case
Some firms route most communication through case managers or support staff. Others ensure that you work directly with an attorney from day one. It is important to know who will be guiding you through the process. You want to make sure you have access to your attorney at all times when you have questions. Some large advertising firm lawyers have so many cases that they have little to no idea about any of the individual cases.
5. Consider their reputation in the local community
A firm with deep roots in Central Florida will understand the local courts, local insurers, and the challenges injury victims in this area commonly face. Long standing experience in the community can make a difference in how your case progresses. If the judges know your attorney as an ethical person who makes just and correct arguments, it can only help your case.
Looking For a Qualified Attorney?
If your situation involves an injury caused by someone else’s negligence, speaking with a personal injury attorney is the best way to protect your rights and move your case forward. The sooner you get clear guidance, the easier it becomes to make informed decisions about medical bills, insurance issues, and what to do next. Don’t just speak to an intake person who signs you up. Get answers from an attorney because ONLY the attorney can answer your legal questions and give legal advice.
At Beers and Gordon, we focus exclusively on personal injury cases throughout Central Florida, including Orlando, Oviedo, Winter Springs, and the surrounding communities. Our attorneys bring nearly 70 years of combined experience to the table, and we specialize in making the decisions that are the best for our clients.
Your consultation is free, and you will always speak directly with a licensed attorney. If you are dealing with a legal issue that falls outside of personal injury, we are still happy to point you toward a trusted local lawyer who can help.
When you are ready for answers, we are here to guide you. Call today to schedule your consultation.
Jim Gordon
Jim Gordon earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Nebraska in 1997, and two years later began working at a firm in Orlando handling insurance defense matters on cases involving vehicle accidents, negligence, product liability, and more. He established Beers & Gordon P.A. with David Beers in 2009 to represent the rights of people injured because of negligence. He is a member of the invitation-only National Trial Lawyers organization and the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.