The role of Professional Support Lawyer was an alternative career path first developed by City firms in the 1990s. PSLs (also known variously as Professional Development Lawyers
Lawyer
A lawyer or attorney is a person who practices law, as an advocate, attorney, attorney at law, barrister, barrister-at-law, bar-at-law, canonist, canon lawyer, civil law notary, counsel, counselor, counsellor, solicitor, legal executive, or public servant preparing, interpreting and applying law, but not …
Full Answer
What is a professional support lawyer (PSL)?
A PSL role can be an ideal alternative for lawyers who are technically excellent and have a preference for working on the practical side of law rather than the fee earning side. The ability to focus on the technicalities of the law without having …
What is a litigation support professional?
The role of Professional Support Lawyer was an alternative career path first developed by City firms in the 1990s. PSLs (also known variously as Professional Development Lawyers, Knowledge Management Lawyers, and many other variations on the theme) were used to create and update the firms’ standard forms and precedents for fee-earners to use.
How long does it take to become a professional support lawyer?
Nov 29, 2018 · The professional support lawyer (PSL) used to be a lower-profile role than the traditional fee-earning associates or partners. But, in recent years, PSLs have developed a new identity for themselves – one that’s becoming increasingly important to …
What skills are needed to be a legal litigation support professional?
Aug 02, 2020 · A litigation support professional assists attorneys with complex lawsuits. They perform a wide range of tasks, including designing and implementing databases and technology assistance. They're typically employed by law firms, corporations, and legal consulting firms.
What does a PSL do?
PSLs primarily operate in large law firms and support the wider division through provision of key cases, legislation and practical working knowledge, thereby reducing the amount of research time needed to deal with matters. The PSL is usually a senior position (at the senior associate or partner level).
What does PSL stand for in law?
Professional support lawyers (PSLs) are a creation of English law firms. They were first deployed by magic circle and other City firms in the early 1990s, primarily to draft and maintain standard form precedents.Jun 13, 2016
What does it mean to be a professional lawyer?
A lawyer (also called attorney, counsel, or counselor) is a licensed professional who advises and represents others in legal matters.Sep 10, 2019
What are 3 main duties and professional responsibilities of a lawyer?
Duties
- Advise and represent clients in courts, before government agencies, and in private legal matters.
- Communicate with their clients, colleagues, judges, and others involved in the case.
- Conduct research and analysis of legal problems.
- Interpret laws, rulings, and regulations for individuals and businesses.
How do I become a PSL?
PSLs are qualified lawyers and so will have studied either law or a non-law undergraduate degree plus a conversion course, the LPC and a training contract and usually have a few years qualified experience under their belt before moving across to their PSL role.Apr 19, 2021
What is a knowledge lawyer?
The role of the Knowledge Development Lawyer is to support their relevant practice groups' and the firm's KM initiatives to enhance the group's quality of know-how, and its efficiency and profitability in line with its business objectives.
What's the difference between a lawyer and an attorney?
An attorney and a lawyer is the same. There is not difference between a lawyer and an attorney, other than semantics. In different regions around the world, licenced legal professionals are called by different names.
How many types of lawyers are there?
What are the two main types of lawyers? There are two main types of lawyers in criminal law are attorney and prosecutor.
How many years do you have to study to be a lawyer?
Study law for four years in a recognized law school
The typical law student studies on his own and by the time is called by the professor to answer, already knows the material. Your choice of law school, therefore, is important but not a necessity in passing the Bar Examinations.
The typical law student studies on his own and by the time is called by the professor to answer, already knows the material. Your choice of law school, therefore, is important but not a necessity in passing the Bar Examinations.
What is the average salary of a lawyer?
A: In 2020, the average salary of a lawyer was approximately $12,410 a month, which amounts to about $148,910 a year. Q: Do lawyers who own private practices or partners in law firms have a higher salary? A: Lawyers working in law firms generally earn more than those who own private practices.
How much do lawyers make an hour?
How Much Do Lawyer Jobs Pay per Hour?
| Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|
| Top Earners | $129,500 | $62 |
| 75th Percentile | $96,500 | $46 |
| Average | $80,743 | $39 |
| 25th Percentile | $60,000 | $29 |
What is the most important task of a lawyer?
They counsel clients, perform legal research, prepare legal documents and represent clients in criminal and civil court proceedings.
What is the role of a PSL?
This enables PSLs to have client contact without facing the demands of the clients. Each of these activities can harness ones hidden skills and talents which may have gone undetected had they chosen to continue in a non-PSL role.
What time does a PSL work?
Unlike fee earners, whose hours regularly extend beyond their contracted amount, a PSL’s working day is fairly predictable in that it typically begins at 9am and finishes at 6pm. Whilst it is not unheard of for a PSL to work overtime, this is certainly the exception rather than the rule. Many firms that employ PSLs offer flexible working hours, part-time contracts and remote working, making this a very attractive position for those who seek an alternative to the often relentless hours undertaken by fee earners.
What skills do you need to be a litigation support professional?
They must also have strong communication skills because their work involves a great deal of interaction with attorneys, staff, and vendors. It also requires exceptional organizational abilities, critical thinking skills, and keen attention to detail.
What is a certification in litigation?
Certification is one way for litigation support professionals to set themselves apart from other candidates. The Association of Certified E-Discovery Specialists offers certification, which demonstrates knowledge of several skills, including data processing and document review.
What is litigation in law?
Litigation is the process of handling a case in the court system. These professionals design and implement databases for managing, sorting, indexing, abstracting, and coordinating the large volumes of data produced in major litigation.
What is discovery in litigation?
Discovery is the process of exchanging information between parties in a lawsuit. Today, discovery typically involves hundreds, or even thousands, of electronic documents, which is why litigation support professionals are in demand.
Flexibility
Working as a PSL may offer more flexible working options such as part-time hours or working from home. Generally even a full-time PSL will be able to work shorter and more predictable hours than a fee-earning lawyer.
Remuneration
Typically a PSL may be paid about 10-15 % less than a fee-earning lawyer of equivalent experience, but this is not always the case. Increasingly the larger firms are paying salaries equivalent to those paid to fee-earners and a PSL may also receive a share of any department bonuses plus the usual employee benefits such as a pension etc.
Career progression
It is often seen as more difficult to progress up the career ladder to partnership as a PSL but again the larger firms are putting structures in place to allow for more defined career progression for PSLs and partnership may not be out of the question. Each firm will vary in their approach so the key is to do your research.
What will a firm look for when recruiting a PSL?
Both personal qualities and academic ability are important. Generally a PSL will be a lawyer with experience in private practice. At least 2-3 years post qualification experience is the norm, and often a higher level of experience is desirable.
How much should you negotiate?
See how your offer stacks up to other pay packages and negotiate confidently.
Recent Salary Reports
Below are the most recent professional support lawyer salary reports. Employer name has been removed to protect anonymity.
How much should you negotiate?
See how your offer stacks up to other pay packages and negotiate confidently.
Recent Salary Reports
Below are the most recent professional support lawyer salary reports. Employer name has been removed to protect anonymity.
Introduction
- The past several years have seen a significant increase in the number of Professional Support Lawyers employed throughout London. Their importance to firms is recognised and has similarly increased. A growing necessity for fee earners to concentrate fully on chargeable work means t…
Areas of Law and Type of Firm
- With support to fee earners becoming a significant consideration for law firms, it is rare to find a department in a major City law firm which doesn't have at least one person who can be termed a Professional Support Lawyer. In many cases, there will be a network of Professional Support Lawyers (especially in larger departments such as corporate, litigation, banking and property), or…
Hours
- The hours worked by fee earners at large firms make the role of Professional Support Lawyer an attractive option, with its more controlled hours and, in some cases, the opportunity to work part-time. The average working day of a PSL is 9.30am to 6pm, although obviously late nights can be needed if a particular project being worked on requires further time input. Weekend work is extre…
Salaries
- Salaries can be variable and depend upon the level of responsibility taken by the Professional Support Lawyer and the firm's policy on "discounting" the salaries of their Professional Support Lawyers (to reflect the more controlled hours). Some firms treat and pay their PSLs as equivalent to the fee earners but generally this is the exception rather than the rule. Most firms discount sal…
Advantages and Disadvantages
- The most significant advantages of becoming a Professional Support Lawyer are: 1. More regular hours 2. Variety of work 3. Involvement with other areas of the Firm 4. Competitive salaries 5. Opportunity to “shape” your role The “perceived” disadvantages to moving into a support role are: 1. Status 2. Volume of requests
The Role
- The nature of a Professional Support Role varies from group to group and firm to firm. As a result, it is difficult to state what the “typical” PSL role is. However a common thread runs through most roles. This can be summarised as follows: 1. To apply the understanding of market practice in developing Precedents and Practice Notes and working practices. 2. Researching points of law f…
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