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The differences between research attorneys and trial 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 trial attorney. Additionally, a trial attorney has an average salary of $110,340, 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 trial attorney are litigation, legal research, and property damage.
| Research Attorney | Trial Attorney | |
| Yearly salary | $92,154 | $110,340 |
| Hourly rate | $44.30 | $53.05 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 52,731 | 7,253 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Doctoral Degree, 54% | Doctoral Degree, 57% |
| 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.
Trial attorneys are responsible for representing and defending clients in court. Trial attorneys must have excellent legal research skills to assess pieces of evidence and examining relevant judicial decisions to support the client's claims. A trial attorney should also provide legal advice for the clients and guide them through the legal procedures depending on the severity of the case. Trial attorneys must be able to develop trial strategies and arguments in the court to win the judge and the trial jury's decision.
Research attorneys and trial attorneys have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Research Attorney | Trial Attorney | |
| Average salary | $92,154 | $110,340 |
| Salary range | Between $58,000 And $146,000 | Between $73,000 And $166,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Airbnb | Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Professional |
There are a few differences between a research attorney and a trial attorney in terms of educational background:
| Research Attorney | Trial Attorney | |
| Most common degree | Doctoral Degree, 54% | Doctoral Degree, 57% |
| Most common major | Law | Law |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between research attorneys' and trial attorneys' demographics:
| Research Attorney | Trial Attorney | |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 43.7% Female, 56.3% | Male, 66.2% Female, 33.8% |
| 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, 5.5% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 6.4% White, 75.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 10% |