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Research attorney vs attorney law clerk

The differences between research attorneys and attorney law clerks can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an attorney law clerk has an average salary of $112,527, 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 law clerk are litigation, discovery responses, and settlement agreements.

Research attorney vs attorney law clerk overview

Research AttorneyAttorney Law Clerk
Yearly salary$92,154$112,527
Hourly rate$44.30$54.10
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs52,73172,641
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeDoctoral Degree, 54%Doctoral Degree, 46%
Average age4641
Years of experience4-

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 attorney law clerk do?

An Attorney Law Clerk helps attorneys by assembling and organizing information for legal documents. They research and analyze law sources to prepare drafts of briefs or arguments for review and approval.

Research attorney vs attorney law clerk salary

Research attorneys and attorney law clerks have different pay scales, as shown below.

Research AttorneyAttorney Law Clerk
Average salary$92,154$112,527
Salary rangeBetween $58,000 And $146,000Between $72,000 And $174,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CAWashington, DC
Highest paying stateCaliforniaNew York
Best paying companyAirbnbReed Smith
Best paying industryProfessionalProfessional

Differences between research attorney and attorney law clerk education

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

Research AttorneyAttorney Law Clerk
Most common degreeDoctoral Degree, 54%Doctoral Degree, 46%
Most common majorLawLaw
Most common collegeStanford UniversityStanford University

Research attorney vs attorney law clerk demographics

Here are the differences between research attorneys' and attorney law clerks' demographics:

Research AttorneyAttorney Law Clerk
Average age4641
Gender ratioMale, 43.7% Female, 56.3%Male, 53.5% Female, 46.5%
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, 9.4% Unknown, 8.0% Hispanic or Latino, 17.8% Asian, 10.3% White, 54.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage10%13%

Differences between research attorney and attorney law clerk 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

Attorney law clerk example responsibilities.

  • Draft motions, answers, memos, subpoenas, and client letters for a criminal defense attorney.
  • Conduct a general civil and commercial litigation practice, providing co- representation to either plaintiff or defendant parties in civil litigation.
  • Draft various motions, interrogatories, letters, memorandum, petitions, and jury charges in both civil and legal fields.
  • Draft real estate documents, wills and trusts, interrogatories, requests for admissions, and answers and objections to discovery.
  • Litigate contested probate matters and guardianship proceedings.
  • Conduct and defend depositions in contest probate proceedings.
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Research attorney vs attorney law clerk skills

Common research attorney skills
  • Litigation, 17%
  • Legal Issues, 12%
  • Legal Memoranda, 9%
  • Appeals, 7%
  • Legal Support, 5%
  • Probate, 5%
Common attorney law clerk skills
  • Litigation, 17%
  • Discovery Responses, 13%
  • Settlement Agreements, 5%
  • Pre-Trial Motions, 5%
  • Legal Issues, 4%
  • Legal Memoranda, 4%