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Research attorney vs assistant district attorney

The differences between research attorneys and assistant district attorneys can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a research attorney and an assistant district attorney. Additionally, a research attorney has an average salary of $92,154, which is higher than the $73,970 average annual salary of an assistant district attorney.

The top three skills for a research attorney include litigation, legal issues and legal memoranda. The most important skills for an assistant district attorney are felony cases, criminal justice, and criminal cases.

Research attorney vs assistant district attorney overview

Research AttorneyAssistant District Attorney
Yearly salary$92,154$73,970
Hourly rate$44.30$35.56
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs52,73115,857
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeDoctoral Degree, 54%Doctoral Degree, 55%
Average age4646
Years of experience44

What does a research attorney do?

A research attorney researches laws, court decisions, documents, opinions, briefs, or other information related to cases before the court. They also review jury notes and opinions and judiciary notes. Their duties and responsibilities also include verifying that all files, complaints, or other papers are available and in the proper order.

What does an assistant district attorney do?

An Assistant District Attorney helps the District Attorney, a government official. They represent the government in the prosecution of criminal offenses.

Research attorney vs assistant district attorney salary

Research attorneys and assistant district attorneys have different pay scales, as shown below.

Research AttorneyAssistant District Attorney
Average salary$92,154$73,970
Salary rangeBetween $58,000 And $146,000Between $50,000 And $108,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companyAirbnbGwinnett Center
Best paying industryProfessionalGovernment

Differences between research attorney and assistant district attorney education

There are a few differences between a research attorney and an assistant district attorney in terms of educational background:

Research AttorneyAssistant District Attorney
Most common degreeDoctoral Degree, 54%Doctoral Degree, 55%
Most common majorLawLaw
Most common collegeStanford UniversityStanford University

Research attorney vs assistant district attorney demographics

Here are the differences between research attorneys' and assistant district attorneys' demographics:

Research AttorneyAssistant District Attorney
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 43.7% Female, 56.3%Male, 55.2% Female, 44.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 5.5% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 6.4% White, 75.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black or African American, 5.4% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 7.6% Asian, 6.3% White, 76.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage10%10%

Differences between research attorney and assistant district attorney duties and responsibilities

Research attorney example responsibilities.

  • Supervise and manage plaintiff's personal injury practice.
  • Conduct legal research for criminal trials and appeals.
  • Review and analyze deeds, leases, probate records, mortgages, mineral reservations, and other applicable legal instruments.
  • Focus on: personal injury, probate, estate planning, construction contracts and liens, domestic relations, etc.
  • Perform legal research and prepare research memos in various litigation matters.
  • Practice focuse in all areas of tort litigation including catastrophic personal injury, medical malpractice, and product liability.
  • Show more

Assistant district attorney example responsibilities.

  • Draft search warrants, cell site orders, and subpoenas on a frequent basis as part of developing and managing investigations.
  • Handle all phases of criminal prosecution including witness interviews, grand jury presentations, hearings, trials and appeals.
  • Draft briefs, motions, orders, subpoenas, contracts and other legal documents, as well as correspondence and reports.
  • Research and co-authore multiple briefs for interlocutory appeals regarding suppression of evidence.
  • Provide presentation and legal defense of insure persons in personal injury actions through mediation and/or trial.
  • Review and analyze medical records, permanency evaluations, interrogatories, and transcripts.

Research attorney vs assistant district attorney skills

Common research attorney skills
  • Litigation, 17%
  • Legal Issues, 12%
  • Legal Memoranda, 9%
  • Appeals, 7%
  • Legal Support, 5%
  • Probate, 5%
Common assistant district attorney skills
  • Felony Cases, 7%
  • Criminal Justice, 7%
  • Criminal Cases, 6%
  • Litigation, 6%
  • Crime Scenes, 6%
  • Adas, 5%