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Reference Attorney Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Blevins Law

ATTORNEY

Berea, KY · On-site

$40K - $75K/yr

Blevins Law seeks associate attorney at its firm in Madison County, Kentucky which focuses ... Please present a resume, transcript and references by email to TBlevins@BlevinsLaw.net Blevins Law ...

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$46K

$108.2K

$172.5K

How much do reference attorney jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for reference attorney in the United States is $108,160.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $80,000.00 and $130,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a reference attorney, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Reference Attorney, you need strong legal research skills, a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, and proficiency in legal analysis and writing. Familiarity with legal research platforms like Westlaw, LexisNexis, and citation management tools is typically required. Outstanding communication, problem-solving abilities, and customer service skills help reference attorneys effectively support clients and colleagues. These competencies ensure accurate, timely legal information delivery and foster trust with law professionals relying on research support.

What are some common challenges reference attorneys face when assisting clients with legal research?

Reference Attorneys often encounter the challenge of interpreting complex legal queries from clients who may have varying levels of legal expertise. They must quickly locate and synthesize relevant case law, statutes, or secondary sources while ensuring the information is accurate and up-to-date. Additionally, balancing multiple requests simultaneously and maintaining strong communication with clients and internal teams are key aspects of the role. Adapting to new legal research tools and staying current with changes in the law are also ongoing challenges.

What is the difference between Reference Attorney vs Paralegal?

AspectReference AttorneyParalegal
Required CredentialsJuris Doctor (JD), license to practice lawAssociate's or Bachelor's degree, paralegal certification often preferred
Work EnvironmentLaw firms, courts, legal departments, research settingsLaw firms, corporate legal departments, government agencies
Employer & Industry UsageLegal research, case preparation, legal analysisLegal research, document preparation, case management

Reference Attorneys typically hold a JD and are licensed to practice law, focusing on legal research and analysis. Paralegals usually have a paralegal certification or degree, assisting attorneys with research, document drafting, and case organization. While both roles support legal work, Reference Attorneys often perform more advanced legal tasks and may have more extensive legal education.

What is a reference attorney?

Reference attorneys are licensed legal professionals who provide research assistance and support to attorneys, law firms, and legal departments. They are often employed by legal research companies to help users navigate complex legal databases, find relevant case law, statutes, and secondary sources, and answer procedural or research-related questions. While they do not offer legal advice or represent clients, reference attorneys play a crucial role in streamlining legal research and improving the efficiency of legal professionals.

What states have the most Reference Attorney jobs?

States with the most job openings for Reference Attorney jobs include:

Reference Attorney jobs near you
Infographic showing various Reference Attorney job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 80% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 8% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $108,160 per year, or $52 per hour.

AAG-Assistant Attorney General-Environmental Enforcement

Illinois Attorney General (IL)

Springfield, IL • On-site

$82K - $110K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 27 days ago

Job description

Summary of Duties and Responsibilities The Illinois Attorney General plays a critical role in the enforcement of civil environmental laws. The Attorney General's primary role in environmental enforcement is handling enforcement actions referred to the Office by a number of state agencies, including the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, Illinois Emergency Management Agency, Illinois Department of Public Health, Illinois Department of Natural Resources and others. The Bureau also engages in outreach to community members to learn of potential violations of environmental laws that are endangering the health and well-being of families and communities.

The Bureau works to stop pollution and ensure that polluters, not taxpayers, pay the cost of cleanup. An Assistant Attorney General in the Environmental Bureau builds and prosecutes cases against environmental polluters. Assistant Attorneys General investigate complaints, work with other state agencies, draft pleadings, draft and respond to motions, manage mediations and settlements and represent the interests of the People of the State of Illinois in court.

Qualifications Candidates must be licensed in the State of Illinois at the time of application. An ideal candidate will have a strong interest and experience in investigation, litigation and public policy. Those with a background in environmental law or environmental science preferred.

Experienced attorneys encouraged to apply. Supplemental Information Salary: Salaries are commensurate with number of years of practice as a licensed attorney and range from $ 82,000 to $ 110,784. To ensure full consideration, please submit a cover letter, resume, three professional references, and a writing sample.

Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact us: Attn: Thor Y. Inouye Office of the Illinois Attorney General 115 S. LaSalle St.

Chicago, IL 60603 (312) 814-3695 (312) 814-5024 (Fax) attorneyhiring@ilag.gov

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