A boutique law firm is a law firm which specializes in a specific aspect of the law, rather than offering general legal services and assistance. Such firms are quite popular with people who are entangled in complex branches of law such as maritime law, immigration law, and environmental law. The attorneys at these law firms pride themselves on providing exemplary service in their field of interest, along with recommendations to other firms for unique needs which they cannot meet.
The size of a boutique law firm varies widely, from a single attorney operation to a multi-national company with hundreds of employees. International firms tend to focus on issues like insurance, shipping, maritime law, and other fields of law which cross national boundaries. Small firms might focus on regional issues like tax law and employment law, with small staffs because they are serving a niche market.
The services of this type of law firm can be more expensive than those of a general law firm, but the fee includes the expertise of people who are uniquely versed in the law at hand. The staff can help clients move smoothly through a variety of issues, and their years of experience can be extremely beneficial to people struggling to work with byzantine immigration law, complex environmental regulations, or large estates.
Different services are offered by different firms. For example, an environmental firm might specialize in prosecution for environmental regulations, while another boutique law firm might focus on defense in criminal cases. Firms which specialize in things like jury selection, writing strong wills which will stand up to legal testing, and marriage law can also be found. The staff of the law firm typically includes paralegals and clerks in addition to the lawyers themselves, and the firm may also assist with investigation services as well.
If you need the services of a boutique law firm, it is a good idea to ask around. Fees vary, and you may be able to get a better rate with a lawyer who is passionate about or interested in your cause. If you know someone who has required the same service that you are in need of, ask him or her for recommendations or thoughts. For a major case, you might even want to consider going outside your state or province for an extremely experienced lawyer who will be able to provide the best service possible.