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MS Attorney General's Office

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Civil Litigation Attorney

Jackson, MS · On-site

$85K - $115K/yr

Attorney I-II MS Attorney General's Office Jackson, MS The Mississippi Office of the Attorney ... Applicants may be required to provide a writing sample and professional references. Education ...

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 ...

Mission Recruiting, LLC

Attorney

Irvine, CA

$155K - $225K/yr

Senior Civil Litigation Attorney An established Orange County litigation practice is seeking an ... Salary Range: $155,000-$225,000 Reference: 148700

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$46K

$108.2K

$172.5K

How much do reference attorney jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 20, 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 are reference attorneys?

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.
More about Reference Attorney jobs
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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 75% Full Time, 4% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 19% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $108,160 per year, or $52 per hour.
Assistant Attorney General - Criminal Appeals - Chicago

Assistant Attorney General - Criminal Appeals - Chicago

Illinois Attorney General (IL)

Springfield, IL • On-site

$84K - $107K/yr

Full-time

Posted 2 days ago

Job description

Summary of Duties and Responsibilities The Office of the Attorney General is seeking a motivated and skilled attorney to join its Criminal Appeals Division. This position provides an excellent opportunity to handle complex and impactful legal work on behalf of the State. The successful candidate will represent the State in criminal matters at all levels of the state and federal court systems.

The Division cultivates a collegial environment where attorneys are encouraged to collaborate and share ideas. Attorneys enjoy considerable autonomy in briefing cases under the guidance of supervising attorneys. Primary Responsibilities: Draft briefs and present oral argument in appeals before the Illinois Supreme Court and Illinois Appellate Court.

Represent the State in federal district court habeas corpus proceedings under 28 U.S.C. 2254. Brief and argue federal habeas corpus appeals before the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit

Independently manage a docket of active appeals and federal cases. Qualifications Qualifications: The ideal candidate will have an interest in criminal and constitutional law and strong research and writing skills. At least two years of experience is preferred.

Candidates must be licensed in Illinois at the time of application. Supplemental Information Salary: Salaries are commensurate with number of years of practice as a licensed attorney and range from $ 84,480 to $ 107,550. To ensure full consideration, please submit a cover letter, resume, three professional references, and two writing samples.

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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