# Visit with a Lawyer Part of the Law Merit Badge Digital Resource Guide: [Introduction & Overview](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/law/guide/index.md) *Legal Careers* > **7.** Arrange a visit with a lawyer who works for a business, bank, title company, or government agency. Find out his or her duties and responsibilities. Report what you have learned. ## Not All Lawyers Are in Courtrooms When most people think of a lawyer, they picture someone in a suit arguing a case in front of a jury. But the truth is, most lawyers rarely step inside a courtroom. This requirement asks you to meet a lawyer who works behind the scenes — in a business, bank, title company, or government office — to find out what their day-to-day work really looks like. ## Types of Lawyers You Might Visit ### Corporate Lawyers (Business) Corporate lawyers help businesses follow the law. They review contracts, advise on mergers and partnerships, handle employment issues, and make sure the company complies with all the regulations that apply to their industry. A large company might have an entire team of lawyers — called **in-house counsel** — working full-time for that one organization. ### Bank and Financial Lawyers Lawyers at banks handle real estate transactions, loan agreements, trust management, and regulatory compliance. They make sure every financial deal follows federal and state banking laws. If you have ever bought or financed a house, a bank lawyer reviewed the paperwork. ### Title Company Lawyers When a property is bought or sold, someone needs to make sure the seller actually owns it and that there are no unpaid debts or legal claims attached to it. That is the job of a **title company lawyer**. They research the property's legal history, resolve any problems, and issue **title insurance** to protect the buyer. ### Government Lawyers Government lawyers work at every level — city, county, state, and federal. They might prosecute criminals (as assistant district attorneys), represent government agencies in court, draft new laws and regulations, or advise elected officials on legal matters. The **city attorney**, **state attorney general**, and **U.S. Attorney** are all government lawyer positions. > **Did You Know?** > > There are over 1.3 million licensed attorneys in the United States. Only a small fraction of them regularly appear in court. Most spend their time researching law, drafting documents, advising clients, and negotiating deals. ## Setting Up Your Visit ### How to Find a Lawyer - **Ask your merit badge counselor** — they may know a lawyer willing to meet with Scouts - **Ask your parents or troop leader** if they know any lawyers in their professional network - **Contact local businesses, banks, or your city or county government** and ask if their legal staff would be willing to meet with you - **Call your local bar association** — many have programs connecting lawyers with students ### Questions to Ask Come prepared with thoughtful questions. Here are some good ones: **Interview Questions** — Questions to ask the lawyer you visit - [ ] What kind of law do you practice? What does a typical day look like? - [ ] What are your main duties and responsibilities? - [ ] How did you decide to become a lawyer? - [ ] What is the most interesting or challenging part of your job? - [ ] How does your work help the company, bank, or agency you work for? - [ ] What skills do you use most often — writing, negotiating, researching, public speaking? - [ ] What advice would you give to a young person interested in the law? > **Tip** > > Bring a notebook and write down the answers during your visit. Within 24 hours of your meeting, write up a short summary while the conversation is still fresh. This will make your report to your counselor much stronger. ## Reporting What You Learned When you meet with your counselor, be prepared to share: - **Who you visited** — their name, title, and where they work - **What they do** — their main duties and responsibilities - **What surprised you** — something you did not expect to learn - **Your takeaway** — what this visit taught you about how lawyers serve their organizations and communities > **Be Prepared! If You Have Trouble Finding a Lawyer** > > Do not get discouraged if the first person you contact says no. Lawyers are busy professionals. Try these steps: > - **Start early** — give yourself at least two weeks to arrange the visit > - **Be professional** — when you call or email, introduce yourself, mention the merit badge, and explain exactly what you are looking for (a 20–30 minute conversation) > - **Be flexible** — offer to meet at their office, via video call, or over the phone > - **Send a thank-you note** after the visit — it is good manners and good practice [Career Center — American Bar Association](https://www.americanbar.org/careercenter/): Explore the wide range of legal careers available, from corporate law to public service. ![A Scout sitting across a desk from a lawyer in a professional office, engaged in conversation](https://ik.imagekit.io/doulacoop/tr:w-800/mbu-assets/merit-badges/law/guide/scout-lawyer-office?v=077488af) --- --- - Previous: [Courtroom Experience](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/law/guide/req6/index.md) - Next: [Becoming a Lawyer or Judge](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/law/guide/req8/index.md)