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Attorney vs litigation associate

The differences between attorneys 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 attorney and a litigation associate. Additionally, a litigation associate has an average salary of $112,116, which is higher than the $109,476 average annual salary of an attorney.

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

Attorney vs litigation associate overview

AttorneyLitigation Associate
Yearly salary$109,476$112,116
Hourly rate$52.63$53.90
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs10,9919,779
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeDoctoral Degree, 48%Doctoral Degree, 56%
Average age4646
Years of experience44

What does an attorney do?

Generally, an attorney's responsibility is to advise the client with an ongoing lawsuit on the legal procedures and provide strategies to resolve the case as early as possible. An attorney compiles necessary documents or any records for appeal and client's defense. Attorneys must acquire strong problem-solving and critical-thinking skills to mediate disputes and settle pending litigation for the client's best interest. In some cases, an attorney's procedure depends on any evidence and research presented during the trial period. An attorney is expected to present clients on legal proceedings, seeking justice and justifying the law.

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.

Attorney vs litigation associate salary

Attorneys and litigation associates have different pay scales, as shown below.

AttorneyLitigation Associate
Average salary$109,476$112,116
Salary rangeBetween $69,000 And $172,000Between $68,000 And $182,000
Highest paying CityWhite Plains, NYWhite Plains, NY
Highest paying stateNew YorkNew York
Best paying companyThompson CoburnBryan Cave Leighton Paisner
Best paying industry-Professional

Differences between attorney and litigation associate education

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

AttorneyLitigation Associate
Most common degreeDoctoral Degree, 48%Doctoral Degree, 56%
Most common majorLawLaw
Most common collegeStanford UniversityStanford University

Attorney vs litigation associate demographics

Here are the differences between attorneys' and litigation associates' demographics:

AttorneyLitigation Associate
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 49.9% Female, 50.1%Male, 52.4% Female, 47.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 5.6% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 6.4% White, 75.5% 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 attorney and litigation associate duties and responsibilities

Attorney example responsibilities.

  • Manage the death administration department with approximately thirty-five plus estates through trust administration, Medicaid estate recovery or probate.
  • Respond to subpoenas and pleadings in litigation and in regulatory inquiries and investigations involving corporate clients.
  • Represent employers before federal administrative agencies, including inspections, administrative litigation, court-enforcement actions and appeals.
  • Litigate personal injury, and general liability matters, worker's compensation, estate planning and litigation, environmental liability litigation.
  • Create and give a presentation regarding non- attorney ethics to division staff.
  • Comply with all agency policies and procedures, including those pertaining to ethics and integrity
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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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Attorney vs litigation associate skills

Common attorney skills
  • Litigation, 19%
  • Legal Research, 9%
  • Law Firm, 8%
  • Legal Issues, 6%
  • Legal Advice, 5%
  • Juris, 4%
Common litigation associate skills
  • Litigation, 28%
  • Law Firm, 11%
  • Legal Research, 6%
  • Commercial Litigation, 5%
  • Discovery Motions, 3%
  • Insurance Coverage, 3%