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Assistant public defender vs litigation associate

The differences between assistant public defenders and litigation associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both an assistant public defender and a litigation associate. Additionally, a litigation associate has an average salary of $112,116, which is higher than the $68,476 average annual salary of an assistant public defender.

The top three skills for an assistant public defender include appeals, litigation and legal research. The most important skills for a litigation associate are litigation, law firm, and legal research.

Assistant public defender vs litigation associate overview

Assistant Public DefenderLitigation Associate
Yearly salary$68,476$112,116
Hourly rate$32.92$53.90
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs12,8589,779
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeDoctoral Degree, 57%Doctoral Degree, 56%
Average age4646
Years of experience44

What does an assistant public defender do?

An Assistant Public Defender assists in the planning, administration, organization, and operation of the Public Defender's Office. They visit the crime scene to gather information and prepare case files.

What does a litigation associate do?

A Litigation Associate offers legal advice for individuals involved in lawsuits and represents them in court. They prepare pleading, collect evidence, defend depositions, and manage the client database.

Assistant public defender vs litigation associate salary

Assistant public defenders and litigation associates have different pay scales, as shown below.

Assistant Public DefenderLitigation Associate
Average salary$68,476$112,116
Salary rangeBetween $47,000 And $97,000Between $68,000 And $182,000
Highest paying CityRochester, NYWhite Plains, NY
Highest paying stateCaliforniaNew York
Best paying companyColumbus Consolidated GovernmentBryan Cave Leighton Paisner
Best paying industryGovernmentProfessional

Differences between assistant public defender and litigation associate education

There are a few differences between an assistant public defender and a litigation associate in terms of educational background:

Assistant Public DefenderLitigation Associate
Most common degreeDoctoral Degree, 57%Doctoral Degree, 56%
Most common majorLawLaw
Most common collegeStanford UniversityStanford University

Assistant public defender vs litigation associate demographics

Here are the differences between assistant public defenders' and litigation associates' demographics:

Assistant Public DefenderLitigation Associate
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 50.7% Female, 49.3%Male, 52.4% Female, 47.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 5.5% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 7.7% Asian, 6.3% White, 75.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black or African American, 5.7% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 6.5% White, 75.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage10%10%

Differences between assistant public defender and litigation associate duties and responsibilities

Assistant public defender example responsibilities.

  • Manage, train and mentore newly hire ADA's in courtroom management and trial advocacy.
  • Achieve not guilty verdicts in DUI, aggravate assault, disorderly conduct, criminal mischief, and battery trials.
  • Manage homicide cases from investigation stage to trial including complex plea negotiations with other government agencies and the defense bar.
  • Manage and direct all phases of criminal litigation from initial consultation through appeals process.
  • Prepare criminal traffic, misdemeanor, and felony cases for litigation or negotiation through thorough investigation and interviewing.
  • Represent clients charge with misdemeanor criminal and traffic cases, including DUI's.
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Litigation associate example responsibilities.

  • Lead and assist in out-of-court resolution of actions including settlement negotiations, mediation, and arbitration.
  • Manage all aspects of motion practice and discovery in class and institutional actions involving residential mortgage-backed securities investments.
  • Represent immigrants in deportation proceedings, federal litigation and appeals.
  • Participate in complex commercial litigation group, with matters involving insurance, entertainment, products liability, utilities and investment banking.
  • Research various aspects of family law, civil procedure, and tort law.
  • Ensure business compliance with FDCPA, HIPAA, ADA, and various other regulations.
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Assistant public defender vs litigation associate skills

Common assistant public defender skills
  • Appeals, 8%
  • Litigation, 8%
  • Legal Research, 8%
  • Criminal Defense, 6%
  • Mental Health, 5%
  • Criminal Law, 5%
Common litigation associate skills
  • Litigation, 28%
  • Law Firm, 11%
  • Legal Research, 6%
  • Commercial Litigation, 5%
  • Discovery Motions, 3%
  • Insurance Coverage, 3%