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Attorney general vs trial attorney

The differences between attorneys general 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 general and a trial attorney. Additionally, a trial attorney has an average salary of $110,340, which is higher than the $101,302 average annual salary of an attorney general.

The top three skills for an attorney general include legal advice, litigation and appeals. The most important skills for a trial attorney are litigation, legal research, and property damage.

Attorney general vs trial attorney overview

Attorney GeneralTrial Attorney
Yearly salary$101,302$110,340
Hourly rate$48.70$53.05
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs47,8137,253
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 56%Doctoral Degree, 57%
Average age4646
Years of experience44

What does an attorney general do?

Attorney generals are one of the most important legal advisers for their government, state, or country. They provide legal advice and may be called on to advise ordinary citizens who may or may not be within the country's jurisdiction. Their power varies depending on the laws of the state or country. Most of them have special executive power related to the enforcement of laws. Attorney Generals also provide legal services to state departments and agencies.

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 general vs trial attorney salary

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

Attorney GeneralTrial Attorney
Average salary$101,302$110,340
Salary rangeBetween $65,000 And $157,000Between $73,000 And $166,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CAWashington, DC
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companyLewis Brisbois Bisgaard & SmithLewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith
Best paying industryGovernmentProfessional

Differences between attorney general and trial attorney education

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

Attorney GeneralTrial Attorney
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 56%Doctoral Degree, 57%
Most common majorLawLaw
Most common collegeStanford UniversityStanford University

Attorney general vs trial attorney demographics

Here are the differences between attorneys general' and trial attorneys' demographics:

Attorney GeneralTrial Attorney
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 51.6% Female, 48.4%Male, 66.2% Female, 33.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 5.6% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 6.5% White, 75.4% 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 general and trial attorney duties and responsibilities

Attorney general example responsibilities.

  • Perform extensive trial litigation, facilitate contract administrations, negotiations, and arrange mediation and counseling.
  • Draft subpoenas and participate in investigations.
  • Prepare subpoenas and arrange for process-servers and couriers.
  • Prepare and participate as first chair at various administrative and arbitration hearings.
  • Assist in preparing and responding to civil miscellaneous appeals, criminal miscellaneous appeals.
  • Investigate and assist in the preparation of litigation cases concerning fraud by officers of charitable organizations.
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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 general vs trial attorney skills

Common attorney general skills
  • Legal Advice, 24%
  • Litigation, 24%
  • Appeals, 13%
  • Legal Research, 6%
  • Legal Issues, 4%
  • Mediation, 3%
Common trial attorney skills
  • Litigation, 21%
  • Legal Research, 8%
  • Property Damage, 7%
  • Legal Advice, 6%
  • Legal Issues, 6%
  • Civil Litigation, 4%