Post job

Judge vs document review attorney

The differences between judges and document review attorneys can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 8-10 years to become a judge, becoming a document review attorney takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a judge has an average salary of $123,457, which is higher than the $81,181 average annual salary of a document review attorney.

The top three skills for a judge include legal issues, civil law and international law. The most important skills for a document review attorney are litigation, complex litigation, and e-discovery software.

Judge vs document review attorney overview

JudgeDocument Review Attorney
Yearly salary$123,457$81,181
Hourly rate$59.35$39.03
Growth rate-1%10%
Number of jobs1,0269,393
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Doctoral Degree, 60%
Average age4646
Years of experience104

What does a judge do?

Judges are officials who conduct court proceedings. They sign arrest and search warrants, restraining orders, subpoenas, etc. When working on a case, the judges decide if the accused should be set free or sent to jail based on the presented evidence. They should be unbiased when listening to witnesses and examining evidence. They must show compassion and understanding to both sides and keep in mind that justice means more than just knowing the law. Additionally, their goal should only be finding the truth.

What does a document review attorney do?

A Document Review Attorney reviews various types of legal documents, such as contract and employment law, intellectual property, and commercial litigation, to identify any areas of risk or information that may need correction.

Judge vs document review attorney salary

Judges and document review attorneys have different pay scales, as shown below.

JudgeDocument Review Attorney
Average salary$123,457$81,181
Salary rangeBetween $68,000 And $222,000Between $48,000 And $134,000
Highest paying CityJacksonville, FLSan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateNew MexicoCalifornia
Best paying companyUnited States CourtsCooley
Best paying industryMediaProfessional

Differences between judge and document review attorney education

There are a few differences between a judge and a document review attorney in terms of educational background:

JudgeDocument Review Attorney
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Doctoral Degree, 60%
Most common majorLawLaw
Most common collegeStanford UniversityStanford University

Judge vs document review attorney demographics

Here are the differences between judges' and document review attorneys' demographics:

JudgeDocument Review Attorney
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 50.3% Female, 49.7%Male, 56.7% Female, 43.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 5.5% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 7.7% Asian, 6.4% White, 75.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black 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%
LGBT Percentage10%10%

Differences between judge and document review attorney duties and responsibilities

Judge example responsibilities.

  • Prepare jury charges, manage trial docket and handle appeals of SSI disability cases.
  • Manage, and update all scheduling of events, meetings, and appointments for mediation and arbitration for family law cases.
  • Docket civil orders on CM/ECF.
  • Observe civil and criminal trial and appeals proceedings.
  • Perform extensive research and prepare legal memoranda on domestic relations and probate issues.
  • Prepare orders and decisions from drafts provide by the assigned AJ.
  • Show more

Document review attorney example responsibilities.

  • Advise client in requirements to achieve and maintain critical FCPA compliance.
  • Manage privilege log development (including extensive line drafting) and final production processes consistent with technical litigation requirements.
  • Complete electronic discovery review and analyze whether the documents are responsive, privilege or non responsive for pending products liability litigation
  • Draft claims of invalidity, injunctions, and appeals.
  • Support litigation teams on various matters, including antitrust and DOJ investigations.
  • Examine discovery production to determine compliance with HIPAA and make redactions when appropriate.
  • Show more

Judge vs document review attorney skills

Common judge skills
  • Legal Issues, 18%
  • Civil Law, 15%
  • International Law, 14%
  • Legal Services, 12%
  • Defense Counsel, 12%
  • Trial Counsel, 5%
Common document review attorney skills
  • Litigation, 32%
  • Complex Litigation, 7%
  • E-Discovery Software, 6%
  • Law Firm, 6%
  • QC, 5%
  • Attorney-Client Privilege, 5%