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Associate attorney vs assistant state attorney

The differences between associate attorneys and assistant state attorneys can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both an associate attorney and an assistant state attorney. Additionally, an associate attorney has an average salary of $110,053, which is higher than the $82,255 average annual salary of an assistant state attorney.

The top three skills for an associate attorney include litigation, law firm and discovery responses. The most important skills for an assistant state attorney are litigation, criminal cases, and appeals.

Associate attorney vs assistant state attorney overview

Associate AttorneyAssistant State Attorney
Yearly salary$110,053$82,255
Hourly rate$52.91$39.55
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs9,1839,855
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeDoctoral Degree, 57%Doctoral Degree, 51%
Average age4646
Years of experience44

What does an associate attorney do?

An associate attorney's role is to provide legal counseling to an individual or business entity, resolve legal disputes through crafting agreements and negotiating contract terms, and serving as an advisor or advocate. Most associate attorneys work at law firms or government agencies, supervised by more experienced personnel. Among the duties of an associate attorney includes conducting extensive research on every case, presenting factual evidence and statements, producing the legal and necessary documentation, and representing clients in formal settings.

What does an assistant state attorney do?

An Assistant Staff Attorney performs a wide range of clerical and administrative work that requires knowledge of legal terms, documents, and procedures. They also communicate with clients to keep them informed on case progress.

Associate attorney vs assistant state attorney salary

Associate attorneys and assistant state attorneys have different pay scales, as shown below.

Associate AttorneyAssistant State Attorney
Average salary$110,053$82,255
Salary rangeBetween $70,000 And $170,000Between $55,000 And $122,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CAOakland, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companySchiff HardinState Attorney's Office
Best paying industryProfessionalGovernment

Differences between associate attorney and assistant state attorney education

There are a few differences between an associate attorney and an assistant state attorney in terms of educational background:

Associate AttorneyAssistant State Attorney
Most common degreeDoctoral Degree, 57%Doctoral Degree, 51%
Most common majorLawLaw
Most common collegeStanford UniversityStanford University

Associate attorney vs assistant state attorney demographics

Here are the differences between associate attorneys' and assistant state attorneys' demographics:

Associate AttorneyAssistant State Attorney
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 57.1% Female, 42.9%Male, 54.1% Female, 45.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 5.5% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 7.7% Asian, 6.3% White, 75.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black or African American, 5.5% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 7.7% Asian, 6.3% White, 75.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage10%10%

Differences between associate attorney and assistant state attorney duties and responsibilities

Associate attorney example responsibilities.

  • Provide litigation support for general civil and probate litigation at trial and appellate levels.
  • Attend arbitration hearings, conduct and attend depositions, and negotiate and evaluate settlements in arbitration and litigation disputes.
  • Participate in all phases of commercial and construction litigation, arbitration, mediation and other forms of alternative dispute resolution.
  • Play instrumental role in all areas of litigation preparation, including authoring interrogatories, participating in depositions and preparing for trial.
  • Prepare briefs and counsele clients in matters pertaining to unemployment and workers' compensation, including hearings and appeals.
  • Represent contracting officers in administrative appeals.
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Assistant state attorney example responsibilities.

  • Manage all phases of criminal investigations including grand jury subpoenas and witness testimony.
  • Provide training to other assistant state's attorneys on DUI topics and general trial technique
  • Prosecute misdemeanor and felony traffic offenses that include DUI, narcotics, and fleeing/eluding police.
  • Draft appellate responses to misdemeanor appeals
  • Research and draft several successful appeals.
  • Review cases, prepare discovery, and issue subpoenas under statutorily impose deadlines.
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Associate attorney vs assistant state attorney skills

Common associate attorney skills
  • Litigation, 24%
  • Law Firm, 10%
  • Discovery Responses, 9%
  • Pre-Trial Motions, 3%
  • Real Estate Transactions, 3%
  • Legal Issues, 2%
Common assistant state attorney skills
  • Litigation, 16%
  • Criminal Cases, 10%
  • Appeals, 7%
  • Law Enforcement Agencies, 5%
  • Criminal Division, 5%
  • District Court, 5%