Vocabulary tasks

A Find in the text the English equivalents for the words below.

1 превышать

2 премия

3 адвокатская практика

4 уровень роста населения

5 средняя заработная плата

6 опытные юристы

7 система сдержек и противовесов

8 оставить спорные вопросы на рассмотрение суда

9 создать спрос на что-либо

Text b What Lawyers Do

Lawyers, also called attorneys, act as both advocates and advisors in the USA. As advocates, they represent one of the opposing parties in criminal and civil trials by presenting evidence that support their client in court. As advisors, lawyers counsel their clients as to their legal rights and obligations and suggest particular courses of action in business and personal matters. Whether acting as advocates or advisors, all attorneys interpret the law and apply it to specific situations.

The more detailed aspects of a lawyer’s job depend upon his or her field of specialization and position. Even though all lawyers are allowed to represent parties in court some appear in court more frequently than others. Some lawyers specialize in trial work. These lawyers need an exceptional ability to think quickly and speak with ease and authority, and must be , thoroughly familiar with courtroom rules and strategy. Trial lawyers still spend most of their time outside the courtroom conducting research, interviewing clients and witnesses, and handling other details in preparation for trial.

Besides trials, lawyers may specialize in other areas, such as bankruptcy, probate, or international law. They also represent clients’ interests in administrative adjudication and during drafting of new regulations.

The majority of lawyers are in private practice where they may concentrate on criminal or civil law. In criminal law, lawyers represent persons who have been charged with crimes and argue their cases in courts of law. In civil law, attorneys assist clients with litigation, wills, trusts, contracts, mortgages, titles, and leases.

Lawyers sometimes are employed full time by a single client. If the client is a corporation, the lawyer is known as house counsel and usually advises the company about legal questions that arise from its business activities. These questions might involve patents, government regulations, contracts with other companies, property interests, or collective bargaining agreements with unions.

Other lawyers work for private, nonprofit organizations established to serve disadvantaged people. These lawyers generally handle civil rather than criminal cases.

A relatively small number of trained attorneys work in law schools. Most are faculty members who specialize in one or more subjects, and others serve as administrators. Some work full time in nonacademic settings and teach part time. Some lawyers become judges, although not all judges have practised law.

Reading tasks

Answer these questions.

1 How lawyers are usually called in the USA?

2 Who do they represent as advocates?

3 How do lawyers act as advisors?

4 How must lawyers deal with their clients?

5 What areas do lawyers specialize in? What are their functions?

6 How do lawyers work in the field of intellectual property?

7 What are lawyers’ functions in private practice?

8 What questions do lawyers deal with when they are employed by a single

client?

9 Do lawyers work in law schools?