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Corporate paralegal vs litigation legal assistant

The differences between corporate paralegals and litigation legal assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a corporate paralegal and a litigation legal assistant. Additionally, a corporate paralegal has an average salary of $67,515, which is higher than the $51,253 average annual salary of a litigation legal assistant.

The top three skills for a corporate paralegal include litigation, corporate governance and legal research. The most important skills for a litigation legal assistant are litigation, law firm, and trial preparation.

Corporate paralegal vs litigation legal assistant overview

Corporate ParalegalLitigation Legal Assistant
Yearly salary$67,515$51,253
Hourly rate$32.46$24.64
Growth rate14%14%
Number of jobs13,4829,152
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Average age4646
Years of experience1212

What does a corporate paralegal do?

A Corporate Paralegal helps attorneys gather information and materials in preparation for different kinds of cases, hearings, or meetings. They also work in the legal departments of large corporations and for government agencies.

What does a litigation legal assistant do?

A litigation legal assistant is responsible for assisting operations by organizing documents, researching court files, and scheduling appointments for client consultation. Litigation legal assistants collect case evidence, interview witnesses, and write minutes of meetings for reference. They also coordinate with other organizations to confirm information for possible trials and verify the accuracy of every data. A litigation legal assistant must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in handling data management procedures under minimal supervision and strict adherence with deadlines.

Corporate paralegal vs litigation legal assistant salary

Corporate paralegals and litigation legal assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Corporate ParalegalLitigation Legal Assistant
Average salary$67,515$51,253
Salary rangeBetween $42,000 And $106,000Between $35,000 And $73,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companyCleary Gottlieb Steen & HamiltonEarthjustice
Best paying industryFinanceProfessional

Differences between corporate paralegal and litigation legal assistant education

There are a few differences between a corporate paralegal and a litigation legal assistant in terms of educational background:

Corporate ParalegalLitigation Legal Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Most common majorLegal Support ServicesLegal Support Services
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Corporate paralegal vs litigation legal assistant demographics

Here are the differences between corporate paralegals' and litigation legal assistants' demographics:

Corporate ParalegalLitigation Legal Assistant
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 20.8% Female, 79.2%Male, 19.0% Female, 81.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.5% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 19.4% Asian, 5.8% White, 60.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 8.3% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 21.8% Asian, 5.4% White, 59.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between corporate paralegal and litigation legal assistant duties and responsibilities

Corporate paralegal example responsibilities.

  • Manage a team of five to prepare over 100 UCC-1 forms to meet a 48 hour deadline.
  • Achieve sole responsibility for administration of all estates and guardianships.
  • Prepare documents such as estoppel certificates, subordination agreements and commencement agreements.
  • Collect and prepare information and draft answers to department litigation including informational statements, pleadings, and affidavits.
  • Involve in all aspects of litigation support including legal research, factual investigations, document review/management, and trial preparation.
  • Analyze and review of new and existing commercial lease agreements, estoppel certificates, subordination and non-disturbance agreements and lease amendments.
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Litigation legal assistant example responsibilities.

  • Manage and coordinate various aspects of major pharmaceutical litigation including budgeting, work scope plans, staffing and defense coordination.
  • Prepare and review all discovery materials, including depositions, subpoenas, interrogatories, interviews.
  • Prepare PowerPoint presentations for visual aids at trial and for inhouse presentations.
  • Review and respond to interrogatories and discovery.
  • Prepare answers to and draft interrogatories and document requests.
  • Prepare defensive pleadings, motions and affidavits including discovery.
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Corporate paralegal vs litigation legal assistant skills

Common corporate paralegal skills
  • Litigation, 9%
  • Corporate Governance, 7%
  • Legal Research, 6%
  • Mergers, 5%
  • Securities, 5%
  • Excellent Organizational, 4%
Common litigation legal assistant skills
  • Litigation, 23%
  • Law Firm, 9%
  • Trial Preparation, 6%
  • Legal Research, 4%
  • Travel Arrangements, 4%
  • Subpoenas, 4%