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Legal researcher vs litigation associate

The differences between legal researchers 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 a legal researcher and a litigation associate. Additionally, a litigation associate has an average salary of $112,116, which is higher than the $49,342 average annual salary of a legal researcher.

The top three skills for a legal researcher include litigation, legal issues and in-house counsel. The most important skills for a litigation associate are litigation, law firm, and legal research.

Legal researcher vs litigation associate overview

Legal ResearcherLitigation Associate
Yearly salary$49,342$112,116
Hourly rate$23.72$53.90
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs10,6599,779
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 56%Doctoral Degree, 56%
Average age4646
Years of experience44

Legal researcher vs litigation associate salary

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

Legal ResearcherLitigation Associate
Average salary$49,342$112,116
Salary rangeBetween $22,000 And $106,000Between $68,000 And $182,000
Highest paying CityBoston, MAWhite Plains, NY
Highest paying stateMassachusettsNew York
Best paying companySimpson Thacher & BartlettBryan Cave Leighton Paisner
Best paying industry-Professional

Differences between legal researcher and litigation associate education

There are a few differences between a legal researcher and a litigation associate in terms of educational background:

Legal ResearcherLitigation Associate
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 56%Doctoral Degree, 56%
Most common majorLawLaw
Most common collegeStanford UniversityStanford University

Legal researcher vs litigation associate demographics

Here are the differences between legal researchers' and litigation associates' demographics:

Legal ResearcherLitigation Associate
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 47.0% Female, 53.0%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 legal researcher and litigation associate duties and responsibilities

Legal researcher example responsibilities.

  • Create PowerPoint presentation used to train staff on managing copyright and trademark infringement risk.
  • Assist in all aspects of discovery including drafting and responding to document requests, interrogatories, requests-for-admission and third party subpoenas.
  • Research and complete memos on unsettle questions in Hawaii probate law
  • Edit manuscripts submit by outside authors for publication in BNA portfolios on subjects in corporate law.
  • Research depositions, interrogatories, exposure assessment literature and medical reports.
  • Ensure data integrity while fulfilling request on behalf of company litigation team.
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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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Legal researcher vs litigation associate skills

Common legal researcher skills
  • Litigation, 11%
  • Legal Issues, 8%
  • In-House Counsel, 5%
  • Real Estate, 5%
  • Civil Law, 5%
  • Legal Memoranda, 4%
Common litigation associate skills
  • Litigation, 28%
  • Law Firm, 11%
  • Legal Research, 6%
  • Commercial Litigation, 5%
  • Discovery Motions, 3%
  • Insurance Coverage, 3%