What Do Litigators Do?
Broadly, a litigator represents parties in disputes in state and federal court, in administrative tribunals, and in arbitration and mediation. Some litigators specialize in a particular area like employment law, securities regulation, real estate, or patents; others have wide-reaching practices and will represent clients in various types of cases.
A litigator’s work includes preparation for trial or arbitration—and potentially steering clients toward a beneficial settlement. This might involve drafting pleadings, gathering evidence, developing a trial strategy, choosing jurors, and arguing in court, among other responsibilities. As is the case with much of the legal profession, litigators do a considerable amount of research in preparing for their cases, as well as writing various memoranda, briefs, and motions.
You can find litigators working in many legal environments, everywhere from nonprofit organizations and public defender offices to law firms of various sizes to every level of government.
Among the many benefits of becoming a litigator, you may find career satisfaction in helping clients work toward a favorable outcome, the excitement of going to trial, and the security of an in-demand legal niche.
Related: Everything You Need to Know About Becoming a Litigator
Experiential Learning Opportunities
New England Law offers many hands-on learning experiences, including:
Litigation Courses
In addition to their foundational legal coursework, students pursuing a concentration in Litigation can choose among many exciting elective classes to meet their credit requirements. To complete a concentration in Litigation, students must earn 10 credits by completing courses from the following list.
- Appellate Practice
- Civil Litigation Capstone
- Civil Rights
- Client Counseling
- Clinical Advocacy
- Criminal Evidence
- Crimmigration
- Evidence and Advocacy
- Federal Courts
- Federal Courts Clinic
- Government Lawyer Clinic
- Honors Judicial Internship
- Intellectual Property Litigation
- Lawyering Process
- Massachusetts Practice and Procedure
- Massachusetts Practice Clinic
- Mediation
- Medical Malpractice
- Negotiation
- Products Liability
- Remedies
- Trial Practice
Litigation Advisor