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Research attorney vs senior attorney

The differences between research attorneys and senior 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 a senior attorney. Additionally, a senior attorney has an average salary of $111,002, 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 a senior attorney are litigation, law firm, and legal advice.

Research attorney vs senior attorney overview

Research AttorneySenior Attorney
Yearly salary$92,154$111,002
Hourly rate$44.30$53.37
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs52,73110,445
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeDoctoral Degree, 54%Doctoral Degree, 53%
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 a senior attorney do?

A Senior Attorney supervises all activities of junior attorneys and deals with all complex legal transactions. They identify legal issues and offer businesses and their customers optimum solutions, as well as ensure that businesses respond appropriately to any legislative changes.

Research attorney vs senior attorney salary

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

Research AttorneySenior Attorney
Average salary$92,154$111,002
Salary rangeBetween $58,000 And $146,000Between $67,000 And $183,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CAWashington, DC
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companyAirbnbClifford Chance
Best paying industryProfessionalProfessional

Differences between research attorney and senior attorney education

There are a few differences between a research attorney and a senior attorney in terms of educational background:

Research AttorneySenior Attorney
Most common degreeDoctoral Degree, 54%Doctoral Degree, 53%
Most common majorLawLaw
Most common collegeStanford UniversityStanford University

Research attorney vs senior attorney demographics

Here are the differences between research attorneys' and senior attorneys' demographics:

Research AttorneySenior Attorney
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 43.7% Female, 56.3%Male, 60.1% Female, 39.9%
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, 6.2% White, 76.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage10%10%

Differences between research attorney and senior 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.
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Senior attorney example responsibilities.

  • Manage and respond to corporate subpoenas including drafting appropriate objections and preparing witnesses for deposition.
  • Manage the death administration department with approximately thirty-five plus estates through trust administration, Medicaid estate recovery or probate.
  • Draft charging instruments, pleadings, subpoenas, consent agreements, orders and other documents pertaining to administrative enforcement litigation proceedings.
  • Experience litigation attorney, with emphasis on management of civil and matrimonial litigation, from initial interview through trial or settlement.
  • Communicate with client and insurance carriers concerning the progress of the litigation and provide recommendations regarding settlement or other claim resolution.
  • Represent individual and institutional clients in all aspects of commercial and residential real estate acquisition, financing and leasing and foreclosure.
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Research attorney vs senior attorney skills

Common research attorney skills
  • Litigation, 17%
  • Legal Issues, 12%
  • Legal Memoranda, 9%
  • Appeals, 7%
  • Legal Support, 5%
  • Probate, 5%
Common senior attorney skills
  • Litigation, 14%
  • Law Firm, 8%
  • Legal Advice, 8%
  • Juris, 7%
  • Legal Research, 7%
  • Legal Support, 4%