Associate vs. Of Counsel vs. Staff Attorney Forum

[augusta1985]

What exactly does "of counsel" mean? Same for "staff attorney." I'm assuming that staff attorneys are precluded from becoming partners and are hired on a project-by-project basis. Also, is it easier to get hired as a "staff attorney" at a biglaw firm?

[Anonymous User]

From what I understand, "of counsel" just means someone who couldn't make partner but they wanted to keep around because he/she does good work.

Staff attorney's are people who are just really good at doc review.

[abc12345675]

From what I understand, "of counsel" just means someone who couldn't make partner but they wanted to keep around because he/she does good work.

Staff attorney's are people who are just really good at doc review.

I've seen people come in laterally, be named of counsel, and then get promoted to partner. So I think in some cases it's just an in between step from associate to partner.

[dixiecupdrinking]

Of counsel varies widely. Wikipedia has a pretty good page on it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Of_counsel ... efinitions

It could describe someone of relatively high influence (retired partner, respected lawyer with a part-time commitment) or lower influence (a permanent associate-plus or a stepping stone to partner status). But either way they're high in the pecking order.

Staff attorneys do low-level work like document review that might otherwise get contracted out, aren't on partner track, and are paid less than associates.