What you need to know about different areas of the law.

Listed below are different legal categories with brief descriptions that will help you determine the category for a referral to an attorney.  If you do not see a description that fits your legal situation, please contact the LRIS office at (865) 522-7501.

ADMINISTRATIVE LAW

Matters dealing with the administrative agencies of local, state, and federal government. Zoning, land use, beer permits, liquor licenses, and other business related licensing issues.

BANKRUPTCY
Personal corporate bankruptcy issues including Chapter 7, Chapter 11, and Chapter 13.

BUSINESS/COMMERCIAL LAW

Issues relating to businesses including: choosing the proper corporate entity or partnership; forming corporations; drafting and filing articles of incorporation; partnership agreements; contract issues and disputes; buying/selling/dissolving a business; commercial leases; franchise law.

CIVIL RIGHTS

Civil rights issues including discrimination (other than employment). Included in this area are matters that involve the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the rights of the elderly, gay individuals, children, and the mentally challenged.

CONSUMER PROTECTION

Broad area covering most issues related to consumers including consumer fraud, lemon law, consumer sales, credit problems, homeowner improvement repairs, utility problems and insurance issues.

CREDITOR RIGHTS/COLLECTIONS
Includes consumer issues related to creditor harassment and abuse and the protections provided by the Federal Fair Debt Collections Practices Act. Also includes creditor rights and collecting outstanding debts from individuals or businesses. Pre-suit demands, lawsuits to collect debts, and post suit collection efforts including wage garnishment, judgment liens, and executions. Also includes insurance issues in resolving coverage and claims under a policy.

CRIMINAL LAW
Both felony and misdemeanor charges. Plea negotiations, trial, criminal appeals, post conviction issues, and expungement of criminal record. All federal and state crimes including murder, homicide, manslaughter, sex crimes, arson, embezzlement, burglary, theft, assault, battery, domestic violence, D.U.I., and traffic violations.

DOMESTIC /FAMILY LAW
Issues related to the relationship of families including prenuptial agreements, divorce, annulment, paternity, adoption, guardianship, child custody, and setting, modifying, and enforcing child support.

EMPLOYMENT LAW
Representing employees and employers of private companies and government agencies for issues including wrongful termination, discrimination, sexual harassment, wage claims, ERISA, and wage contracts.

ENVIRONMENTAL LAW
Issues related to the environment including biotechnology, toxicology, water, OSHA requirements and asbestos.

ESTATE ADMINISTRATION PLANNING
Drafting wills, estate planning, probating will and estate issues. Will contests include the representation of individuals contesting the disposition of property as ordered in a will, or questioning the validity of a will.

GUARDIANSHIP/CONSERVATORSHIP

Issues concerning care management and managing the affairs of someone either not competent or not of age to take care of themselves.

IMMIGRATION & NATURALIZATION
Immigration and naturalization issues related to visas, naturalization, labor certifications, fraud investigations, deportation and exclusion, and political asylum.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
Matters which include application and registration of patents, trademarks and copyrights. 

LANDLORD/TENANT
Representation of landlords and tenants in contract issues related to leases and rentals of commercial and residential properties.

PERSONAL INJURY Automobile and truck accidents, slip & fall/premises liability, products liability, pollution/toxic injury, wrongful death. 

PROFESSIONAL MALPRACTICE
Representation of clients or attorneys in problems related to the disposition of a legal or medical matter. 

REAL PROPERTY
Commercial and residential real estate issues including preparing real estate contracts, deeds, mortgages, and related documents, closings, title insurance issues and foreclosures. 

SOCIAL SECURITY
Representation at social security hearings including claims for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), benefit denials, and appeals for disabled, survivor, or retired claimants.

TAXATION
Issues related to state and federal income taxes including penalty abatement, offers in compromise, setting up payment plans, innocent spouse relief, etc.

TORTS
Broad area covering civil wrongs that do not arise out of contract. Torts include defamation, conversion, nuisance, trespass, false imprisonment, assault, battery, and damage to property. 

WORKERS' COMPENSATION
Workers' Compensation includes representation of individuals for claims for injury or illness sustained on the job. Includes filing of administrative claims, and appeals and representation at administrative hearings and in court.