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Trial attorney vs senior attorney

The differences between trial 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 trial attorney and a senior attorney. Additionally, a senior attorney has an average salary of $111,002, which is higher than the $110,340 average annual salary of a trial attorney.

The top three skills for a trial attorney include litigation, legal research and property damage. The most important skills for a senior attorney are litigation, law firm, and legal advice.

Trial attorney vs senior attorney overview

Trial AttorneySenior Attorney
Yearly salary$110,340$111,002
Hourly rate$53.05$53.37
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs7,25310,445
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeDoctoral Degree, 57%Doctoral Degree, 53%
Average age4646
Years of experience44

What does a trial attorney do?

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.

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.

Trial attorney vs senior attorney salary

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

Trial AttorneySenior Attorney
Average salary$110,340$111,002
Salary rangeBetween $73,000 And $166,000Between $67,000 And $183,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCWashington, DC
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companyLewis Brisbois Bisgaard & SmithClifford Chance
Best paying industryProfessionalProfessional

Differences between trial attorney and senior attorney education

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

Trial AttorneySenior Attorney
Most common degreeDoctoral Degree, 57%Doctoral Degree, 53%
Most common majorLawLaw
Most common collegeStanford UniversityStanford University

Trial attorney vs senior attorney demographics

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

Trial AttorneySenior Attorney
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 66.2% Female, 33.8%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, 75.7% 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 trial attorney and senior attorney duties and responsibilities

Trial attorney example responsibilities.

  • Lead trial attorney in general practice litigation firm managing a diverse portfolio of cases representing individuals face with difficult legal problems.
  • Recommend initiation of litigation and appeals.
  • Research and draft numerous criminal appeals and perform oral arguments in defense thereof.
  • Conduct trials in complex class action litigation involving cemetery claims of allege mistreatment of remains and emotional distress without bodily injury.
  • Prepare, argue and litigate a large roster of plaintiff cases involving automobile accidents and tort claims.
  • General practice of law including plaintiff and insurance defense personal injury representation.
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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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Trial attorney vs senior attorney skills

Common trial attorney skills
  • Litigation, 21%
  • Legal Research, 8%
  • Property Damage, 7%
  • Legal Advice, 6%
  • Legal Issues, 6%
  • Civil Litigation, 4%
Common senior attorney skills
  • Litigation, 14%
  • Law Firm, 8%
  • Legal Advice, 8%
  • Juris, 7%
  • Legal Research, 7%
  • Legal Support, 4%