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The differences between research attorneys and 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 attorney. Additionally, an attorney has an average salary of $109,476, which is higher than the $92,154 average annual salary of a research attorney.
The top three skills for a research attorney include litigation, legal issues and legal memoranda. The most important skills for an attorney are litigation, legal research, and law firm.
| Research Attorney | Attorney | |
| Yearly salary | $92,154 | $109,476 |
| Hourly rate | $44.30 | $52.63 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 52,731 | 10,991 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Doctoral Degree, 54% | Doctoral Degree, 48% |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
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.
Generally, an attorney's responsibility is to advise the client with an ongoing lawsuit on the legal procedures and provide strategies to resolve the case as early as possible. An attorney compiles necessary documents or any records for appeal and client's defense. Attorneys must acquire strong problem-solving and critical-thinking skills to mediate disputes and settle pending litigation for the client's best interest. In some cases, an attorney's procedure depends on any evidence and research presented during the trial period. An attorney is expected to present clients on legal proceedings, seeking justice and justifying the law.
Research attorneys and attorneys have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Research Attorney | Attorney | |
| Average salary | $92,154 | $109,476 |
| Salary range | Between $58,000 And $146,000 | Between $69,000 And $172,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | White Plains, NY |
| Highest paying state | California | New York |
| Best paying company | Airbnb | Thompson Coburn |
| Best paying industry | Professional | - |
There are a few differences between a research attorney and an attorney in terms of educational background:
| Research Attorney | Attorney | |
| Most common degree | Doctoral Degree, 54% | Doctoral Degree, 48% |
| Most common major | Law | Law |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between research attorneys' and attorneys' demographics:
| Research Attorney | Attorney | |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 43.7% Female, 56.3% | Male, 49.9% Female, 50.1% |
| Race ratio | Black 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, 5.6% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 6.4% White, 75.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 10% |