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Attorney at law vs trial attorney

The differences between attorneys at law and trial 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 attorney at law and a trial attorney. Additionally, a trial attorney has an average salary of $110,340, which is higher than the $108,018 average annual salary of an attorney at law.

The top three skills for an attorney at law include litigation, law firm and legal research. The most important skills for a trial attorney are litigation, legal research, and property damage.

Attorney at law vs trial attorney overview

Attorney At LawTrial Attorney
Yearly salary$108,018$110,340
Hourly rate$51.93$53.05
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs7,0257,253
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeDoctoral Degree, 52%Doctoral Degree, 57%
Average age4646
Years of experience44

What does an attorney at law do?

An Attorney at Law is responsible for preparing and examining contracts involving leases, licenses, purchases, sales, etc. They advise clients concerning business transactions, claim liability, or legal rights and obligations.

What does a trial attorney do?

Trial attorneys are responsible for representing and defending clients in court. Trial attorneys must have excellent legal research skills to assess pieces of evidence and examining relevant judicial decisions to support the client's claims. A trial attorney should also provide legal advice for the clients and guide them through the legal procedures depending on the severity of the case. Trial attorneys must be able to develop trial strategies and arguments in the court to win the judge and the trial jury's decision.

Attorney at law vs trial attorney salary

Attorneys at law and trial attorneys have different pay scales, as shown below.

Attorney At LawTrial Attorney
Average salary$108,018$110,340
Salary rangeBetween $69,000 And $166,000Between $73,000 And $166,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCWashington, DC
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companyWhite and WilliamsLewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith
Best paying industryRetailProfessional

Differences between attorney at law and trial attorney education

There are a few differences between an attorney at law and a trial attorney in terms of educational background:

Attorney At LawTrial Attorney
Most common degreeDoctoral Degree, 52%Doctoral Degree, 57%
Most common majorLawLaw
Most common collegeStanford UniversityStanford University

Attorney at law vs trial attorney demographics

Here are the differences between attorneys at law' and trial attorneys' demographics:

Attorney At LawTrial Attorney
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 54.6% Female, 45.4%Male, 66.2% Female, 33.8%
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, 7.8% Asian, 6.4% White, 75.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage10%10%

Differences between attorney at law and trial attorney duties and responsibilities

Attorney at law example responsibilities.

  • Manage a civil practice focuse primarily on representing claimants in securities arbitration proceedings.
  • Support tort, real estate, probate, appellate, and business litigation with outside counsel in California.
  • Sole practice of law in the areas of corporate, juvenile matters, probate, real estate, securities and taxation.
  • File garnishment actions; defend tenants, landlords and assort other parties in proceedings in small claims and landlord tenant courts.
  • Document review for internal investigation of FDA filing practices
  • Advise technical, scientific and regulatory personnel on FDA legal requirements.
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Trial attorney example responsibilities.

  • Lead trial attorney in general practice litigation firm managing a diverse portfolio of cases representing individuals face with difficult legal problems.
  • Recommend initiation of litigation and appeals.
  • Research and draft numerous criminal appeals and perform oral arguments in defense thereof.
  • Conduct trials in complex class action litigation involving cemetery claims of allege mistreatment of remains and emotional distress without bodily injury.
  • Prepare, argue and litigate a large roster of plaintiff cases involving automobile accidents and tort claims.
  • General practice of law including plaintiff and insurance defense personal injury representation.
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Attorney at law vs trial attorney skills

Common attorney at law skills
  • Litigation, 23%
  • Law Firm, 10%
  • Legal Research, 7%
  • Juris, 4%
  • Real Estate Transactions, 3%
  • Trial Preparation, 3%
Common trial attorney skills
  • Litigation, 21%
  • Legal Research, 8%
  • Property Damage, 7%
  • Legal Advice, 6%
  • Legal Issues, 6%
  • Civil Litigation, 4%