An Attorney's most fundamental activity is the interpretation of case law and its application to specific issues in cases. This requires case research of previously applied laws handed down in judicial decisions called precedence.
Attorneys also have to interpret and apply statutes to cases or business transactions.
Most Attorneys are engaged in the general practice of law, therefore, they handle various types of legal issues. An increasing number specialize in specific fields of law. Criminal Attorneys represent clients charged with a crime. Civil Attorneys handle cases that are non-criminal where a client is seeking money for a personal injury, property damage, or a remedy for breach of contract. Attorneys in civil practice also handle divorces and draft legal documents such as contracts, wills, and deeds.