Job Responsibilities
I am a defense attorney for civil litigation (about 75 cases at a
time), and I handle cases from beginning to end. I answer
complaints, propound and answer discovery, write and argue
motions, and settle or try cases. I travel three to five days
per week to courts or other lawyers' offices for motions and
depositions. I bill approximately 7-10 hours per day to clients,
including travel, so I actually work anywhere from 8 to 12 hours
since not all of my work is billable.
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Job Requirements
JD (3 years full time or 4 years night school) and a passing
score on the state Bar exam (12 hours of testing over two days)
If you work in a small office, you will likely get your own cases
right away and be expected to learn and ask questions as you go
along. In a larger firm, you will start with lower-risk tasks
(document review, research, motion-drafting) and slowly work your
way up. It can take up to 10 years to get inside a courtroom in
a large firm, but it may take only weeks at a smaller firm.
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Uppers
I am in front of a judge at least once a week and other lawyers or clients
almost every other day -- this is great for communication skills, public
speaking, and generally making myself known for future job possibilities. I also
have a more flexible schedule than many other lawyers because if I travel
somewhere close to home in the afternoon I just go home rather than back to the
office. At least in a small firm, litigation is no desk job -- for people who
want steady employment but don't want to sit in an office every day, this is a
great position.
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Downers
The travel can get a little tedious, and expensive -- 600-800
miles per week is tough on a car! Also, new litigators may be
the object of some harassment by older members of the
profession. Unfortunately, rather than use their experience to
teach, many older attorneys try to take advantage of younger
folks in negotiating or intimidating clients.
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Lifestyle
I have to wear a suit every day, so buying and cleaning the wardrobe can be
pricey. I work in a small firm so there aren't many social events. Litigators
in larger firms have dinners, charity events, etc., often once a month or more.
I work quite long hours but, as noted, I can often work them at home because of
the travel requirements. A car is an absolute necessity. Diversity is not
great. Women are becoming more and more accepted as serious lawyers, but mothers
often have difficulty balancing time at work and demands of handling such a large
case load with being home for the kids. Most smaller firms do not have any
minorities working for them.
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Compensation
first year base salary $30,000-$55,000 small firm, $75,000-
$140,000 larger firm (but if you're making six figures, you're
often working 13 hour days plus weekends!); 401K with 2.5%
matching (in my particular firm, the matched amount is
unfortunately pulled out of the bonus); bonus based on total
billable hours for the year; health and disability coverage
available; 2-4 weeks vacation most firms; in my firm, no set sick
time -- take what you need and don't abuse it
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Advice to Jobseekers
There will always be litigation jobs available, but more and more
cases are settling. If you truly want to try cases and your
client's interest is best served by doing so, don't be afraid to
recommend it. Also, find someone who is willing to really help
you decide what type of litigation you want to do and how to do
it. You can only learn to take a deposition or try a case by
doing it, but you need all the instruction you can get for the
first few times. Be prepared to occasinally feel stupid for the
first few months or years; judges don't make allowances for age
or experience levels, and they will often ask questions that you
just do not know the answer to.
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