Post job

Intellectual property lawyer vs litigation associate

The differences between intellectual property lawyers 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 intellectual property lawyer and a litigation associate. Additionally, a litigation associate has an average salary of $112,116, which is higher than the $82,730 average annual salary of an intellectual property lawyer.

The top three skills for an intellectual property lawyer include litigation, legal advice and due diligence. The most important skills for a litigation associate are litigation, law firm, and legal research.

Intellectual property lawyer vs litigation associate overview

Intellectual Property LawyerLitigation Associate
Yearly salary$82,730$112,116
Hourly rate$39.77$53.90
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs9,8019,779
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 46%Doctoral Degree, 56%
Average age4646
Years of experience44

What does an intellectual property lawyer do?

An intellectual property (IP) lawyer is a licensed professional who is responsible for protecting a client's intellectual property as well as provide counseling about matters concerning intellectual property. Intellectual property lawyers are required to review or produce important documents and complete the analysis of highly technical materials. They prepare documents so that they can attain patents and trademarks for their client's intellectual property. Intellectual property lawyers are also required to defend businesses and individuals against the over-assertion of intellectual properties.

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.

Intellectual property lawyer vs litigation associate salary

Intellectual property lawyers and litigation associates have different pay scales, as shown below.

Intellectual Property LawyerLitigation Associate
Average salary$82,730$112,116
Salary rangeBetween $40,000 And $168,000Between $68,000 And $182,000
Highest paying CityDanvers, MAWhite Plains, NY
Highest paying stateMassachusettsNew York
Best paying companySeyfarth ShawBryan Cave Leighton Paisner
Best paying industry-Professional

Differences between intellectual property lawyer and litigation associate education

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

Intellectual Property LawyerLitigation Associate
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 46%Doctoral Degree, 56%
Most common majorLawLaw
Most common collegeStanford UniversityStanford University

Intellectual property lawyer vs litigation associate demographics

Here are the differences between intellectual property lawyers' and litigation associates' demographics:

Intellectual Property LawyerLitigation Associate
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 66.5% Female, 33.5%Male, 52.4% Female, 47.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 5.5% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 7.7% Asian, 6.3% White, 75.8% 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 intellectual property lawyer and litigation associate duties and responsibilities

Intellectual property lawyer example responsibilities.

  • Develop and implement an agency-wide client privacy policy and manage agency response to all matters involving subpoenas and warrants.
  • Prepare, file and prosecute trademark applications with the USPTO.
  • Prepare, file, and prosecute patent and trademark applications before the USPTO and foreign patent offices.
  • Reduce expenses and identify litigation targets through review and pruning of existing patent portfolio.
  • Work on drafting and prosecution of biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical device and chemical patent applications
  • Prepare and prosecute U.S. and international patent applications in the pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, chemicals, materials and mechanical arts.
  • Show more

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.
  • Show more

Intellectual property lawyer vs litigation associate skills

Common intellectual property lawyer skills
  • Litigation, 14%
  • Legal Advice, 9%
  • Due Diligence, 8%
  • Legal Issues, 8%
  • Law Firm, 8%
  • Intellectual Property Law, 6%
Common litigation associate skills
  • Litigation, 28%
  • Law Firm, 11%
  • Legal Research, 6%
  • Commercial Litigation, 5%
  • Discovery Motions, 3%
  • Insurance Coverage, 3%