Guide to Practice Areas

At Texas A&M University School of Law, you can pursue your interest in a variety of practice areas with all the opportunities and resources that you would expect from a world-class institution. Whether your passion is for intellectual property, dispute resolution, business law, or some other area, we’ll give you the knowledge and skills you need to succeed, and we’ll guide you every step of the way.

This page links to guides that will help you explore particular practice areas. Each guide contains a list of related courses and resources as well as faculty with whom you can discuss your interest in the area.

Aggie Dispute Resolution

Regardless of the legal practice area you choose, you must be familiar with ADR, which some call Alternative Dispute Resolution, but here at Texas A&M Law, it is known as Aggie Dispute Resolution. ADR procedures include negotiation, mediation and arbitration. Today, the vast majority of legal disputes are resolved outside the courtroom through ADR.

Agriculture Law

As a lawyer focusing on agriculture law, you will engage in one of the most diverse areas of law, addressing: crop and livestock production issues, food safety concerns, land use, resource management challenges, and sustainability and environmental protection.

Business Law

As a business lawyer, you are an “engineer” of the legal system, creating business entities and drafting contracts that make the economy go.

Civil Litigation

As a civil litigator, you will advise clients who seek to resolve legal disputes between parties through the civil court system. Lawyers who practice civil litigation can have a widely diverse practice, or they can focus on a specific area of law.

Commercial Law

Commercial law is an extensive category within business law. It governs business transactions, which regularly become the subject of disputes.

Criminal Law and Procedure

As a lawyer who practices criminal law, you will either prosecute criminal cases or defend those accused of crimes. Your choice to prosecute the accused or to defend them will determine where you work.

Energy Law

As a lawyer who focuses on energy law, you will often be at the center of major development projects with significant community, economic and environmental implications.

Environmental Law

As an environmental lawyer, you can help safeguard the quality of our natural environment, and work in diverse settings with a wide range of clients.

Estate Planning

As an estate planning attorney, you are a trusted advisor for your clients’ most sensitive personal family issues. Every person, regardless of their level of wealth, may benefit from a carefully reasoned, prepared and executed estate plan.

Family Law

As a family lawyer, your work will have a profoundly personal impact on the lives of the people you represent, more so than other areas of law.

General Practice

Some lawyers develop highly specialized practice areas. However, meeting the most widespread need for legal services requires the broad-based skill and knowledge of a general practitioner in solo or small firm practice.

Health Law

Health law is a dynamic and increasingly important area of law. The healthcare industry is heavily regulated and lawyers are needed to advise a wide range of providers and stakeholders.

Immigration Law

As a border state and as a hub for international commerce, Texas offers many exciting and rewarding opportunities to practice immigration law.

IP and Technology Law

In today’s global, information-based economy, having lawyers that understand intellectual property law is more important than ever. Artists, entrepreneurs, engineers, inventors and business professionals all have a stake in a sound intellectual property strategy.

Oil and Gas Law

Oil and gas law is a dynamic and expansive area of law, especially in the state of Texas. Although new and alternative energy sources are emerging, oil and gas continue to be significant economic drivers affecting every sector of society.

Real Estate Law

As a real estate lawyer, you will represent landowners, developers, landlords, tenants, lenders, oil and gas producers, environmental groups, and other players in this exciting field of law.

Water Law

As a lawyer focusing on water law, you will often be at the center of major development projects with significant community, economic and environmental implications.

Workplace Law

As a workplace lawyer, you must navigate the host of laws that regulate the employment relationship under statutes and the common law.

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