What does a Staff Attorney do?
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)