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The differences between litigation paralegals and legal clerks can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a litigation paralegal and a legal clerk. Additionally, a litigation paralegal has an average salary of $58,484, which is higher than the $35,152 average annual salary of a legal clerk.
The top three skills for a litigation paralegal include litigation, law firm and trial preparation. The most important skills for a legal clerk are litigation, legal correspondence, and subpoenas.
| Litigation Paralegal | Legal Clerk | |
| Yearly salary | $58,484 | $35,152 |
| Hourly rate | $28.12 | $16.90 |
| Growth rate | 14% | 14% |
| Number of jobs | 5,132 | 74,069 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 58% | Bachelor's Degree, 55% |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
A litigation paralegal is a specialist who is responsible for assisting attorneys throughout the trial process. On the plaintiff side, litigation paralegals conduct initial client interviews and legal research for case preparations. They assist with the preliminary examinations of witnesses and jury selection in the courtroom. Litigation paralegals often assist attorneys with case settlements and help identify issues for appeals. They must also possess excellent skills in verbal and written communication and should have great attention in detail.
A legal clerk is responsible for performing administrative and clerical duties to legal offices and organizations to ensure smooth legal business operations. Legal clerks sort and distribute documents to the appropriate personnel, update information on the database, schedule appointments, respond to clients' inquiries and concerns, and document meeting objectives. They may also coordinate with other offices and institutions to acquire files and research data according to the needs of the managing department. A legal clerk must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in monitoring business transactions and submitting reports timely and accurately.
Litigation paralegals and legal clerks have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Litigation Paralegal | Legal Clerk | |
| Average salary | $58,484 | $35,152 |
| Salary range | Between $40,000 And $83,000 | Between $24,000 And $49,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | California | New York |
| Best paying company | Diodes Incorporated | |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Professional |
There are a few differences between a litigation paralegal and a legal clerk in terms of educational background:
| Litigation Paralegal | Legal Clerk | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 58% | Bachelor's Degree, 55% |
| Most common major | Legal Support Services | Law |
| Most common college | Harvard University | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between litigation paralegals' and legal clerks' demographics:
| Litigation Paralegal | Legal Clerk | |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 24.4% Female, 75.6% | Male, 39.9% Female, 60.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.3% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 20.3% Asian, 5.7% White, 59.4% 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 Percentage | 9% | 9% |