18 Specialties

Federal Practice Areas

Federal law encompasses specialized practice areas that require attorneys with specific expertise in federal statutes, regulations, and court procedures. Find lawyers who focus on the federal practice area relevant to your case.

Federal Criminal Defense

Defense against federal criminal charges including fraud, drug offenses, firearms violations, and other crimes prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office in federal district courts.

18 U.S.C. (Federal Criminal Code)21 U.S.C. (Drug Offenses)

Federal Appeals

Appellate practice before the U.S. Courts of Appeals and the Supreme Court, including direct criminal appeals, civil appeals, and petitions for certiorari.

28 U.S.C. § 1291Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure

2255 Habeas Corpus

Post-conviction relief under 28 U.S.C. § 2255, allowing federal prisoners to challenge their conviction or sentence based on constitutional violations, ineffective assistance of counsel, or newly discovered evidence.

28 U.S.C. § 225528 U.S.C. § 2254

White-Collar Defense

Defense against federal white-collar criminal charges including securities fraud, wire fraud, mail fraud, money laundering, RICO, and public corruption.

18 U.S.C. § 1341 (Mail Fraud)18 U.S.C. § 1343 (Wire Fraud)

Federal Sentencing

Representation at federal sentencing hearings, including guideline calculations, departures, variances, and sentencing advocacy before federal judges.

U.S. Sentencing Guidelines18 U.S.C. § 3553(a)

Securities Fraud

Defense and prosecution of federal securities fraud cases, SEC enforcement actions, insider trading, and Dodd-Frank whistleblower claims.

Securities Act of 1933Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Federal Tax Litigation

Representation in federal tax disputes before the U.S. Tax Court, federal district courts, and the Court of Federal Claims, including tax fraud defense and IRS audits.

Internal Revenue Code26 U.S.C.

Federal Immigration

Federal immigration proceedings including removal defense, asylum, visa petitions, naturalization, and appeals to the Board of Immigration Appeals and federal courts.

Immigration and Nationality Act8 U.S.C.

Federal Civil Rights

Litigation of federal civil rights claims under Section 1983, Title VII, the ADA, and other federal statutes protecting constitutional and statutory rights.

42 U.S.C. § 1983Title VII

Federal Drug Offenses

Defense against federal drug trafficking, distribution, conspiracy, and possession charges prosecuted under the Controlled Substances Act.

21 U.S.C. § 84121 U.S.C. § 846 (Conspiracy)

Federal Firearms Offenses

Defense against federal firearms charges including illegal possession, straw purchases, and armed career criminal enhancements.

18 U.S.C. § 92218 U.S.C. § 924(c)

Government Contracts

Federal government contract disputes, bid protests, False Claims Act defense, and compliance with federal procurement regulations.

Federal Acquisition RegulationFalse Claims Act

Federal Environmental Law

Federal environmental litigation and compliance including Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, CERCLA/Superfund, and EPA enforcement actions.

Clean Air ActClean Water Act

Federal Bankruptcy

Bankruptcy proceedings in federal bankruptcy courts including Chapter 7, Chapter 11, Chapter 13, and adversary proceedings.

11 U.S.C. (Bankruptcy Code)Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure

Federal Patent Litigation

Patent infringement litigation in federal district courts and appeals to the Federal Circuit, including Hatch-Waxman and ITC proceedings.

35 U.S.C. (Patent Act)Hatch-Waxman Act

Federal Employment Law

Federal employment disputes including Title VII discrimination, FLSA wage claims, FMLA violations, and federal employee grievances.

Title VIIFair Labor Standards Act

International Trade

Federal international trade law including customs disputes, trade remedies, sanctions compliance, and proceedings before the Court of International Trade.

Tariff ActTrade Act of 1974

Federal Antitrust

Federal antitrust litigation and investigations including Sherman Act violations, merger challenges, and DOJ/FTC enforcement actions.

Sherman Antitrust ActClayton Act

Find Federal Lawyers by Court

Many federal practice areas are concentrated in specific courts and circuits. Browse by court to find attorneys with relevant experience.

Why Federal Practice Requires Specialized Expertise

Federal law practice differs significantly from state practice. Federal courts follow the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, and Federal Rules of Evidence — each with their own requirements and nuances. Additionally, each of the 94 federal district courts has its own set of local rules that attorneys must follow.

Many federal practice areas involve complex regulatory frameworks administered by federal agencies such as the SEC, EPA, IRS, DOJ, and FTC. Attorneys practicing in these areas need deep knowledge of both the substantive law and the administrative procedures that govern enforcement actions and regulatory compliance.

Federal sentencing, for example, involves the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines — a complex framework that requires specialized knowledge to navigate effectively. Similarly, federal appeals follow strict procedural rules and tight deadlines that differ from state appellate practice.

When facing a federal legal matter, it is critical to find an attorney who not only practices in the relevant area of law but is also admitted to and experienced in the specific federal court where your case will be heard. Use FederalLawyer.com to find attorneys with the right combination of practice area expertise and federal court experience.