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Commonwealth attorney vs trial attorney

The differences between commonwealth attorneys 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 a commonwealth attorney and a trial attorney. Additionally, a trial attorney has an average salary of $110,340, which is higher than the $84,845 average annual salary of a commonwealth attorney.

The top three skills for a commonwealth attorney include legal research, criminal cases and district court. The most important skills for a trial attorney are litigation, legal research, and property damage.

Commonwealth attorney vs trial attorney overview

Commonwealth AttorneyTrial Attorney
Yearly salary$84,845$110,340
Hourly rate$40.79$53.05
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs5,8417,253
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeDoctoral Degree, 45%Doctoral Degree, 57%
Average age4646
Years of experience44

Commonwealth attorney vs trial attorney salary

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

Commonwealth AttorneyTrial Attorney
Average salary$84,845$110,340
Salary rangeBetween $56,000 And $127,000Between $73,000 And $166,000
Highest paying City-Washington, DC
Highest paying state-California
Best paying company-Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith
Best paying industry-Professional

Differences between commonwealth attorney and trial attorney education

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

Commonwealth AttorneyTrial Attorney
Most common degreeDoctoral Degree, 45%Doctoral Degree, 57%
Most common majorLawLaw
Most common collegeStanford UniversityStanford University

Commonwealth attorney vs trial attorney demographics

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

Commonwealth AttorneyTrial Attorney
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 49.4% Female, 50.6%Male, 66.2% Female, 33.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 5.6% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 6.4% White, 75.6% 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 commonwealth attorney and trial attorney duties and responsibilities

Commonwealth attorney example responsibilities.

  • Manage, train and mentore newly hire ADA's in courtroom management and trial advocacy.
  • Case preparation and prosecution for DUI, larceny, drug possession, and other crimes
  • Draft dispositive motions, discovery motions, pleadings, initial disclosures, respond to discovery requests and interrogatories.
  • Appeal of deny Medicaid eligibility; settlement result in reinstatement of Medicaid eligibility and services.

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.
  • Show more

Commonwealth attorney vs trial attorney skills

Common commonwealth attorney skills
  • Legal Research, 15%
  • Criminal Cases, 12%
  • District Court, 11%
  • Domestic Relations, 9%
  • Criminal Law, 6%
  • Law Enforcement Officials, 4%
Common trial attorney skills
  • Litigation, 21%
  • Legal Research, 8%
  • Property Damage, 7%
  • Legal Advice, 6%
  • Legal Issues, 6%
  • Civil Litigation, 4%