What are the different roles at a law firm?

It takes a team to make things work. When it comes to law firms, that team can have many skilled people. We all know about the lawyer, the legal assistant, and the law clerk. But what of those other roles? Here are some established and emerging positions that fill out the list of colleagues on your law firm roster. 

Electronic discovery specialist

An electronic discovery (or e-discovery) specialist examines, stores, and gathers electronic documents and materials. This can include emails, digital images, social media, websites, and a wide range of electronic media. They work with lawyers across practice areas for the purpose of litigation or transactional legal work. 

Many e-discovery specialists are certified in this work, as it can require specific skills. Electronic data is more dynamic and changing compared to hardcopy evidence, so e-discovery specialists must know how to access timestamps and metadata. They can also take the lead to prevent changes to electronic evidence after it is requested as part of a legal proceeding.

Jury consultant

A jury consultant helps attorneys in their relationship with juries. They can offer demographic information about communities to aid in jury selection, so a lawyer knows what strategy to use to get a group of people potentially most amenable to their case. Once the jury is finalized, a consultant can offer the lawyer advice on communication and arguments to convince them. This normally entails staying with the legal team and observing the jury as the trial proceeds. 

The jury consultant is one member of a trial consulting team. A firm might also engage other professionals to help them during a criminal trial or civil lawsuit. They might help with mock run throughs of key decision-making venues such as mediation and arbitration, where there’s no jury but psychology is nonetheless essential to a favorable decision. 

Title examiner

A title examiner can work with law firms. They also work at government agencies. Their role is to look closely at the legal documentation that applies to a piece of property. That documentation can include a mortgage, contracts, easement, liens, maps, agreements and others. They identify who owns the property and what restrictions are in place. 

Typically title examiners can make judgments about whether use of the property is limited by burdens on the title. They can examine both commercial or residential properties and can work closely with people working in various practice areas in a firm. 

Legal translator

A legal translator is a language and law expert. They translate legal documents from one language to another such as from English to Spanish. Because both documents hold legal weight, the translator must not only know the languages but the legal interpretation. 

There is an added layer of insight a translator brings as they can recommend or understand words in their legal context and intent. Although the legal translator might not be a lawyer, they typically have some form of legal training and special skills in interpreting this unique legal language so it properly encompasses meaning and effect. 

Practice group leader

Larger law firms are often organized into practice groups. These are lawyers and other team members organized by the type of law they practice, such as family law, criminal law, and corporate law. A practice group leader is typically a lawyer whose role is to develop and grow the practice group. They handle budgets and resource allocation with the goal to bring more viable business to the firm. 

Some firms have very complex organizational structures, grouped not only by practice but industry. A practice group leader might therefore not necessarily be siloed from other parts of the firm but participate in cross-functional teams.

Special counsel or “of counsel”

Most people understand that someone with “counsel” in the name is a practicing attorney. When someone is attached to a firm as “special counsel” or “of counsel,” they have a unique relationship with the firm. They do practice law but might only advise on select cases or in niche legal areas.

Typically special counsel or of counsel attorneys are senior members of the profession who have long experience and expertise, usually in a specific area. They might be long-standing members of the firm who have chosen to take a step back from regular practice, or joined the firm after a career in government or industry. 

Partner: equity, non-equity, or managing

For many lawyers, making partner is a significant career milestone, especially if they work in a large law firm. There are a few different types of partners. Each one has different implications for their relationship to the business of the firm and their place in the firm’s hierarchy. 

Equity partners hold an ownership stake in the firm. Since they own the firm, they share in its profits. On the flipside, they also hold responsibility for the firm’s debts and obligations. Non-equity partners are not firm owners, so they don’t share in profits or debt. Typically, however, they receive a salary or bonus structure that reflects the overall performance of the firm. 

A managing partner is usually also an equity partner. They are responsible for the firm’s strategic direction and growth. They work with other partners, industry and practice group leaders, and team leads to develop the firm as a business. While most equity partners and non-equity partners are involved with legal services to clients, the managing partner might work almost exclusively with building the firm.

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As your legal practice grows, you need a comprehensive team to make it work. A key member of that team should be a marketing expert who can support your strategic growth. Martindale-Avvo has a suite of marketing products that can help you gain qualified leads and land new clients. Learn how we can help your firm by contacting Martindale-Avvo today.