What is a Divorce Lawyer?

A divorce lawyer is a licensed attorney that practices in the area of family law, which may include representing a spouse in a divorce proceeding against the other spouse.

Attorneys are licensed after examination, much like physicians, but that is where the similarities end.  Physicians often select a speciality during the course of residency by concentrating their time in one particular speciality, such as general medicine or neurology.

Attorneys, however, do not undergo a formal process of internship or residency, although the part-time position of clerkship may function in a similar matter.  Most attorneys graduate from law school, take the bar exam of the state or states in which they wish to practice, then select areas of practice based on employment opportunities.

While many attorneys do specialize in family or divorce law, it is usually only after handling many of those types of cases over a period of years, building up the specialized knowledge and reputation to justify the exclusive practice area.  Most attorneys that engage in divorce representation, particularly ones that are sole practitioners, also handle other areas of legal representation, such as criminal law, civil law or estate practice.

Historically, there has been no official state bar certification for specific legal concentrations.  A trend has developed in the past decade, however, where certain states are offering certifications in specific concentrations.  It is possible, for example, for an attorney to be certified in the area of criminal defense work in the State of Ohio.  This typically requires a certain number of hours of Continuing Legal Education in that concentration area, as well as specialized courses designed to provide a level of knowledge above that of the typical general practitioner.

Divorce attorneys specifically file complaints for divorce, answers to said complaints and counter-complaints.  Such attorneys also file discovery motions, subpoena financial records if necessary and file various motions related to custody, support and property.  Most importantly, in contested divorce proceedings, the attorney presents witnesses and other evidence in trials before a judge or magistrate.