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The differences between litigation paralegals and summer associates 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 summer associate. Additionally, a litigation paralegal has an average salary of $58,484, which is higher than the $42,349 average annual salary of a summer associate.
The top three skills for a litigation paralegal include litigation, law firm and trial preparation. The most important skills for a summer associate are powerpoint, litigation, and financial models.
| Litigation Paralegal | Summer Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $58,484 | $42,349 |
| Hourly rate | $28.12 | $20.36 |
| Growth rate | 14% | 14% |
| Number of jobs | 5,132 | 7,546 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 58% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| 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.
Summer associates are law students hired seasonally by law firms. The aim is for future lawyers to be exposed to the practical aspects of a firm. Typically, this program lasts for nine weeks, beginning in May and running through July. Summer associates are expected to be friendly and kind to people, preserve company reputation, support other associates, and perform legal tasks appropriately.
Litigation paralegals and summer associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Litigation Paralegal | Summer Associate | |
| Average salary | $58,484 | $42,349 |
| Salary range | Between $40,000 And $83,000 | Between $22,000 And $81,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | California | New York |
| Best paying company | Crowell & Moring | |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Professional |
There are a few differences between a litigation paralegal and a summer associate in terms of educational background:
| Litigation Paralegal | Summer Associate | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 58% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Most common major | Legal Support Services | Law |
| Most common college | Harvard University | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between litigation paralegals' and summer associates' demographics:
| Litigation Paralegal | Summer Associate | |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 24.4% Female, 75.6% | Male, 57.0% Female, 43.0% |
| 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, 10.0% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 15.2% Asian, 6.0% White, 63.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 9% |