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What does a Staff Attorney do?

Photo of Brenna Goyette
Brenna Goyette
Certified Professional Resume Writer, Career Expert

Published 3 min read

A staff attorney is a lawyer who works for a government agency, non-profit organization, or corporation. They provide legal advice and represent their employer in court.

Staff Attorney job duties include:

  • Research and analyze legal sources such as statutes, judicial opinions, and legal articles
  • Draft and file pleadings with the court
  • Manage discovery process including document production and depositions
  • Engage in motion practice including drafting, filing, and arguing motions
  • Attend hearings, mediations, and settlement conferences
  • Handle client communications and maintain client confidentiality
  • Manage case files and calendars
  • Work with support staff to ensure cases are moving forward efficiently
  • Bill clients for services rendered

Staff Attorney Job Requirements

Most staff attorney positions require a Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school and admission to a state bar. Many positions also require 1-3 years of experience working as an attorney, although some entry-level positions may be available for recent law school graduates. Some employers may also require that staff attorneys be certified in a specialty area of law, such as tax law or family law.

Staff Attorney Skills

  • Research
  • Writing
  • Analysis
  • Problem-solving
  • Critical thinking
  • Organizational
  • Time management
  • Communication
  • Interpersonal
  • Negotiation
  • Conflict resolution

Related: Top Staff Attorney Skills: Definition and Examples

How to become a Staff Attorney

There are many ways to become a staff attorney. The most common way is to attend law school and then pass the bar exam. Once you have passed the bar exam, you can apply for a position with a law firm or other legal organization. Some organizations may require that you have a certain amount of experience before they will hire you as a staff attorney. Other ways to become a staff attorney include working as a law clerk for a judge or working as a legal assistant for a law firm.

Related: Staff Attorney Resume Example

Related: Staff Attorney Interview Questions (With Example Answers)

Editorial staff

Photo of Brenna Goyette, Editor

Editor

Brenna Goyette

Expert Verified

Brenna is a certified professional resume writer, career expert, and the content manager of the ResumeCat team. She has a background in corporate recruiting and human resources and has been writing resumes for over 10 years. Brenna has experience in recruiting for tech, finance, and marketing roles and has a passion for helping people find their dream jobs. She creates expert resources to help job seekers write the best resumes and cover letters, land the job, and succeed in the workplace.

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