Document Review Attorney Job Description [Updated for 2025]

In the modern legal landscape, the role of document review attorneys is increasingly prominent.

As the legal field evolves, there’s a growing demand for skilled professionals who can thoroughly analyze, assess, and organize vast volumes of documents with precision and accuracy.

But let’s delve deeper: What’s really expected from a document review attorney?

Whether you are:

• A job seeker aiming to understand the core of this position,
• A hiring manager trying to illustrate the perfect candidate,
• Or simply intrigued by the complexities of document review,

You’ve come to the right place.

Today, we introduce a customizable document review attorney job description template, designed for effortless posting on job boards or career websites.

Let’s dive straight into it.

Document Review Attorney Duties and Responsibilities

Document Review Attorneys are primarily responsible for reviewing and analyzing documents in the context of legal proceedings.

They often work in the field of litigation, where they analyze records and files related to lawsuits.

Their duties and responsibilities include:

• Reviewing and analyzing documents to determine their relevance to a case
• Identifying confidential, sensitive, and significant information within documents
• Categorizing documents based on their relevance and importance to legal proceedings
• Assisting in the preparation of legal proceedings by helping in the discovery process
• Understanding and applying rules related to privilege and confidentiality
• Reporting findings and providing summaries of document content to attorneys and other legal professionals
• Using legal software to manage and organize large volumes of documents
• Communicating and collaborating with other legal professionals to ensure the accuracy and completeness of document reviews

 

Document Review Attorney Job Description Template

Job Brief

We are seeking a meticulous and diligent Document Review Attorney to assist with a high volume of complex document review projects.

As a Document Review Attorney, you will be expected to accurately review legal documents pertaining to various matters, analyze the relevance of the documents to the issues at hand, and provide insightful legal advice based on your findings.

Our ideal candidate is detail-oriented, possesses excellent reading comprehension skills, and has a comprehensive understanding of legal terminology and procedures.

 

Responsibilities

• Reviewing and analyzing a high volume of complex legal documents
• Identifying relevant information and providing concise summaries
• Applying coding tags to reviewed documents
• Conducting quality control reviews to ensure accuracy and completeness
• Collaborating with other legal professionals to meet project deadlines
• Providing legal advice based on document findings
• Maintaining confidentiality and exercising discretion
• Complying with all legal standards and regulations

 

Qualifications

• J.D. degree from an accredited law school
• Active license to practice law
• Proven experience as a Document Review Attorney or similar role
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent reading comprehension skills
• Detail-oriented and highly organized
• Proficiency with document review software and platforms
• Knowledge of legal terminology and procedures
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

 

Benefits

• 401(k)
• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Retirement plan
• Paid time off
• Professional development opportunities

 

Additional Information

• Job Title: Document Review Attorney
• Work Environment: Office setting with options for remote work. Some travel may be required for team meetings or client consultations.
• Reporting Structure: Reports to the Lead Attorney or Legal Manager.
• Salary: Salary is based upon candidate experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations.
• Pay Range: $85,000 minimum to $160,000 maximum
• Location: [City, State] (specify the location or indicate if remote)
• Employment Type: Full-time
• Equal Opportunity Statement: We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
• Application Instructions: Please submit your resume, a copy of your bar license, and a cover letter outlining your qualifications and experience to [email address or application portal].

 

What Does a Document Review Attorney Do?

Document Review Attorneys are specialized legal professionals who review and evaluate legal documents related to a particular case.

They often work for law firms, corporations, or as independent contractors.

Their main responsibility is to scrutinize documents for relevance and privilege, usually in preparation for litigation or during the discovery phase of a lawsuit.

They will flag sensitive information, identify potential issues, and assess the significance of each document to the case.

They may also be tasked with coding and categorizing documents based on pre-established criteria, summarizing, and creating reports on their findings.

Document Review Attorneys often work in large teams and under tight deadlines.

Their review process can involve sifting through thousands or even millions of emails, memos, and other types of correspondence.

This role requires strong attention to detail and a comprehensive understanding of legal terms and concepts.

In certain cases, Document Review Attorneys may also conduct interviews and depositions, or provide expert testimony in court, based on the information they have reviewed.

Their role is crucial to ensuring the legal team is informed and prepared, and that the sensitive information is handled in accordance with legal and ethical standards.

 

Document Review Attorney Qualifications and Skills

Document Review Attorneys should possess a variety of skills and qualifications, including:

• Strong analytical skills for reviewing and understanding a wide array of documents within complex litigation and investigations.
• Excellent attention to detail for identifying relevant information, inconsistencies, and any potential legal issues in documents.
• Exceptional communication skills for clear and concise reporting of document review findings to team members, clients, and other legal professionals.
• Proficient in legal research to assist in understanding the broader context of documents under review.
• Adaptability and ability to work under pressure, often dealing with large volumes of documents and tight deadlines.
• Proficient in using legal document management systems and other relevant software applications.
• Professional ethics, maintaining confidentiality and client privilege at all times.
• A Juris Doctorate (JD) degree and admission to the state bar to practice law.

 

Document Review Attorney Experience Requirements

Document Review Attorneys are usually required to hold a Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school and should have passed the Bar examination in their respective state.

Experience requirements typically range from 1 to 3 years in the legal field, preferably in litigation, e-discovery, or document review.

Entry-level candidates may gain relevant experience through internships, clerkships, or part-time roles in law firms, corporations, or government agencies.

Candidates with more than 3 years of experience are often expected to have developed strong legal research and analytical skills through their work in document review or similar roles.

They may have handled complex litigation cases, worked with e-discovery software, and have experience in managing document databases.

Those with more than 5 years of experience may have leadership experience, having supervised junior attorneys or paralegals in previous roles.

They may be adept at coordinating large document review projects and may be prepared for a supervisory or management role in document review.

In addition to these, proficiency in foreign languages and prior experience in specific areas of law (such as intellectual property, securities, etc.) can be considered beneficial in this field.

 

Document Review Attorney Education and Training Requirements

Document Review Attorneys must have a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.

This typically requires a bachelor’s degree for admission, followed by three years of full-time study.

To gain admission to a law school, potential attorneys often need to pass the Law School Admission Test (LSAT).

The LSAT assesses reading comprehension, analytical reasoning, and logical reasoning skills, which are vital for success in law school and the legal profession.

Once the J.D. degree is obtained, aspiring Document Review Attorneys must pass the bar examination in the state where they wish to practice.

This certifies them as fully qualified attorneys.

Document Review Attorneys specialize in reviewing and analyzing documents for litigation purposes.

Therefore, gaining experience through internships or entry-level positions in law firms can provide valuable understanding of the litigation process and the role of document review within it.

Continuous legal education courses or workshops related to document review or e-discovery may also be beneficial for further honing skills and staying updated with advancements in the field.

Although not required, some Document Review Attorneys may choose to pursue an advanced law degree (LL.M.) or certification in a specialized area such as litigation management or e-discovery to enhance their expertise and career prospects.

 

Document Review Attorney Salary Expectations

A Document Review Attorney earns an average salary of $77,613 (USD) per year.

The actual earnings can fluctuate based on factors such as experience, specialization, geographical location, and the company they work for.

 

Document Review Attorney Job Description FAQs

What skills does a Document Review Attorney need?

A Document Review Attorney needs to have excellent reading and comprehension skills, as they are often dealing with a large amount of complex information.

They should also have a good understanding of legal terminology and concepts, the ability to work efficiently under pressure, and strong attention to detail.

Familiarity with e-discovery platforms and software is also important.

 

Do Document Review Attorneys need a degree?

Yes, Document Review Attorneys need to have a law degree (JD) and pass the bar exam to be licensed to practice law.

Some firms may also require or prefer candidates with a specific background or additional degrees in certain areas of law.

 

What should you look for in a Document Review Attorney resume?

A Document Review Attorney resume should showcase their law degree and bar license.

It should also include any experience they have in reviewing documents for litigation or investigations.

Skills in using e-discovery software and any specializations, such as in patent law or healthcare law, should also be highlighted.

 

What qualities make a good Document Review Attorney?

A good Document Review Attorney has strong analytical skills to spot patterns and issues in complex documents.

They have a keen eye for detail and can stay focused when reviewing large volumes of information.

They are also dedicated and can work efficiently under tight deadlines.

 

Is it difficult to hire Document Review Attorneys?

Hiring Document Review Attorneys can be challenging due to the specialized nature of the work.

It requires a deep understanding of legal concepts and terminologies, along with the ability to sift through a high volume of documents.

It may be necessary to offer competitive compensation and benefits to attract qualified candidates.

 

Conclusion

And there you have it.

Today, we’ve given you an inside look into the world of a document review attorney.

Guess what?

It’s not just about reviewing documents.

It’s about safeguarding justice, one document at a time.

With our handy document review attorney job description template and real-world examples, you’re fully equipped to step up.

But why end the journey here?

Take a deeper dive with our job description generator. It’s your next step to creating a detailed job listing or crafting your resume to perfection.

Remember:

Every document reviewed contributes to a fairer justice system.

Let’s shape that future. Together.

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