A legal assistant is busy from the time they enter the office until the end of the work day. Become familiar with local firms and businesses that have a legal department. Oversee lawyer's schedule, and ensure their day is organized and that deadlines are being met. They help lawyers get ready for trial by writing reports, demonstrating exhibits … This is a prestigious career that is monetarily rewarding and a long-term option for many people. Legal assistants usually work in an office setting for a law firm, private company or government agency. If you are a seasoned legal assistant (lawyers: the term used to be "legal secretary") or paralegal who is trying to figure out how young lawyers work, this article is for you. I am here to send a message: do not underestimate the benefits of a well-trained certified legal assistant to your career as a lawyer. What does a Legal Assistant do? subpoenas) and necessary documents related to client cases. Legal assistants perform administrative duties, prepare legal documents, and handle general communication responsibilities with clients and other law firms. Litigation techniques. Compile and coordinate evidence and other legal documents to be reviewed by lead attorneys in preparation for a case. A paralegal has responsibilities that pertain more to the practice of law than a legal assistant. Whatever … A legal assistant reports to an attorney, therefore they don’t set their own hours. They are educated and trained individuals who work with a lawyer and who perform essential legal work that a lawyer doesn’t always have time to do. It will vary from one lawyer to the next. Legal assistants can find jobs in consultancy firms, insurance agencies, research organizations, foreign embassies, and government agencies. Gather formal documents needed as evidence in a case. The legal assistant will interview clients and witnesses to gather information pertinent to the case and discuss with the attorney a … First, legal assistants may not provide legal advice to clients, serve as a client representative in a courtroom, set legal fees or accept cases from prospective clients. Occasionally, they may travel to gather information, collect and review documents, accompany attorneys to depositions or trials, and do … Law office management skills. Paralegals and legal assistants often work in teams with attorneys, fellow paralegals, and other legal support staff.. Paralegals do most of their work in offices. If your future in the field of law is to be bright, you will want to take the NALA Exam Preparation Course (NALA). However, legal assistants may handle a range of tasks delegated by a supervising attorney or lawyer. Whatever their previous day’s project was, they will continue it, but not before having a morning meeting with the attorney to coordinate their day.Often, a legal assistant The advancement opportunity for a legal assistant is to become a paralegal, and a paralegal’s career goal could be to become a lawyer. They perform a variety of tasks which include maintaining and organizing files, drafting documents and conducting legal research. Conduct research on specific laws, regulations, and legal articles. Legal assistants play a key role in coordinating internal and external communications. There is no question that the term legal assistant gets you noticed. If so, you might like to become a legal assistant. Organize office and ensure efficiency. A legal administrative assistant job description differs slightly in that, under the direction of attorneys and paralegals, assistants who work in … Do you have great organizational skills, an ability to research well, and in interest in the legal profession? Legal assistants perform a multitude of legal tasks, such as conducting legal research and organizing documents for presentation in court. Visit online career boards and temporary agency listings. Network with as many professionals as you can, including national legal assistant organizations. Litigation legal assistant – A litigation legal assistant assists the attorney from the beginning of a case through the end of the trial or settlement of the case. Communicate with clients and provide updates about their cases. Confirm/make appointments, schedule events. Legal assistants perform more administrative tasks and assist lawyers in the realms of scheduling and organization at the law office. Legal assistants support lawyers with various tasks, including conducting legal research, drafting and reviewing documents, communicating with clients, preparing hearings, trials, and meetings, and organizing and maintaining files. Interestingly, the West Coast pays legal assistant more than the East Coast. This career choice is continuing to grow faster than many other career options. The position of a legal assistant will require the individual to work in tandem with attorneys in order to provide the most comprehensive service to their respective clientele. In most situations, time is of the essence. Becoming a Paralegal or Legal Assistant. Both career paths require more training and an investment in higher education. They conduct legal research, draft documents of various legal disciplines, manage schedules, and ensure the efficient and effective administration of the office. Paralegals help lawyers by preparing evidence for trials, reviewing court cases and writing legal documents. 6.9k salaries reported, updated at January 4, 2021. If there is an active case or a cause of action, a legal assistant must gather all the necessary information required by the attorney. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. As a legal assistant, you have to make sure you don’t miss anything that would help the lawyer you work for win a case. Many law firms call their legal secretaries “legal assistants” so they can justify billing clients for these employees' hours as well, but the duties of a legal secretary are typically more limited. Job Title: Legal Assistant. Each of those items are considered to fall under the practice of law and litigation. Legal Assistant Job Purpose: Supports staff attorneys by performing the clerical and administrative work that requires knowledge of legal terms, documents, and procedures. Working as a Legal Assistant A lot of your day as a legal assistant is spent completing tasks, all with the goal of helping a lawyer. In general, administrative assistants and secretaries distribute or respond to routine emails and letters, as well as overseeing electronic and paper-based files and records. You wouldn’t be able to assist a lawyer if you didn’t have this type of knowledge. legal assistant: A person, working under the supervision of a lawyer, qualified through education, training, or work experience to perform substantive legal work that requires knowledge of legal concepts and is customarily, but not exclusively, performed by a lawyer; also known as a paralegal. Commonly, people holding this type of job are expected to perform filing, run errands, and take messages, but they may also be expected to do more if they have enough experience with the law to do so. In the past, much of this kind of work was done by … They must also manage complex, computerized records of legal literature and documents. Feel free to revise this job description to meet your specific job duties and job requirements. File a variety of legal documents, briefs, exhibits, and appeals with the court. Legal assistants perform a variety of tasks to support lawyers, including maintaining and organizing filing systems, conducting legal research, and drafting high-priority legal documents. Legal Assistant Job Description Sample Description: Legal Assistant Legal Assistant Job Purpose: Enhances attorney effectiveness by developing case information, evidence, and settlement options; tracking cases; supporting attorney’s trial proceedings. Was the salaries overview information useful? An entry level legal assistant with less than 5 years of experience can get paid an average annual salary of $35,704. But how do you get work experience? They may draft correspondence and usually organize files and perform word processing, transcribing the attorney's dictation from audio devices and following his directives for other tasks. taking the NALA Certified Paralegal Examination, Chipotle Crew Member Job Description, Responsibilities, Salary & More, Data Entry Clerk Job Description, Qualifications, and Outlook, UPS Driver Job Description, Duties, Salary & More, Taco Bell Cook Job Description, Duties, Salary & More. What does a Legal Assistant do? Or, maybe you have an … [Read More...] about Quality Assurance Job Description, In our article, we will be covering the Chipotle crew job description, main job duties and responsibilities of this position as well as other … [Read More...] about Chipotle Crew Member Job Description, Responsibilities, Salary & More, Your email address will not be published. Paralegals can be thought of as lawyer’s assistants; they do everything from conducting research on laws and cases to drafting legal documents and compiling evidence to be used in court. A paralegal or legal assistant is a trained person, often with certification from state or government agencies, who performs a variety of support jobs for supervising lawyers. The day-to-day tasks of a legal assistant keep a law office running smoothly and efficiently, some of which may include: Although the terms legal assistant and paralegal are often used interchangeably (as both roles assist lawyers), the tasks involved can vary. Corporate legal assistants do not practice law, as they are not licensed attorneys, but they help in many aspects of corporate transactions, including preparing initial drafts of various contracts, corporate filings and closing binders. Legal Assistants have a range of job duties that are all related to providing support and assistance to clients and attorneys throughout every aspect of legal proceedings. Write reports to help lawyers prepare for trials or executive meetings. A legal assistant is a legal professional who does many of the same work that lawyers do. A legal assistant is busy from the time they enter the office until the end of the work day. Legal assistants are responsible for a wide range of tasks within a legal spectrum outside of the practice of law, the delivery of legal advice, and the representation of clientele. Legal assistants are continually learning about the legal changes in the area of law that their attorneys specialize in. A legal assistant plays an integral role in the day to day activities of a law firm. Other tasks can include the following: Detailed oriented. In a law firm, corporate, or government environment, legal assistants are invaluable. You must know how to take legal action when necessary. This is an important aspect of the job of a legal assistant. Manage filing system, update computer software. You need to communicate efficiently with the lawyer, as well as the rest of the staff. Legal Assistant Job Responsibilities: The Legal Assistant will be responsible for managing day-to-day operations of the law firm, including carrying out administrative services, providing support to the legal team and ensuring that the firm remains in compliance with state legal regulations. People can work as interns where they would gain practical experience working for a law firm, a legal aid community center, or a government-sponsored program for the summer. Their job duties include: Organizing Paperwork. The paralegal cannot give legal advice, represent people in court, or sign any legal documents, except in the capacity of a notary if the person has been certified. What is a Paralegal? What does a Legal Assistant do? Data source tooltip for average base salary. A certified legal assistant is one who has completed the voluntary certification program of a professional association. Perhaps you’re a hiring manager who needs to hire a new employee and need to write a quality assurance job description. What is a Legal Assistant? We hope this legal assistant job description has helped you figure out if this is a job you might want to try. Often, a legal assistant works with one or more attorneys and with other support staff in scheduling. The lawyer puts in an appearance here and there (ie in front of the judge and talking to the client most of the time), but the legal assistant prepares all of the paperwork for cases, transcribes letters, in some instances does the bookkeeping, etc. This articles focuses on the legal assistant job description, talking about the skills you need to become a legal assistant, the duties you will have working as one, the qualifications and training expected of you, as well as the salary, working hours, and advancement opportunities. Assist attorneys during trials by organizing exhibits, taking notes, and being the point of contact with other support staff. Here are a couple of options: A legal assistant generally works normal business hours of 40-hours a week, but it is common to work ten or more hours a day, including a few weekends and holidays. Perform general administrative duties (i.e. Best Answer: A legal assistant does all of the legwork for the lawyer, most of the time. An undergraduate program is typically 4 years, whereas a college program in secretarial studies related to law could be as long as 2 years. Legal Administrative Assistants are professionals who support paralegals and lawyers in a legal environment. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. People in this profession complete, file and maintain paperwork and other legal documentation in paper or electronic form. Legal Assistant in Abbott Park, IL Develop knowledge of Abbott’s businesses and the company’s licensing and acquisition activities. At the same time, legal assistants and paralegals may clash where their legal tasks are concerned. Edit your resume to fit their brand and send them an email. In the legal field, legal support can also expect bonuses, special remuneration, and often profit sharing proceeds that can reach up to $4,000 or $5,000. A patent legal assistant performs administrative and research-related duties for attorneys. Legal assistants must be able to work with the office staff, because to wholly support an attorney’s work requires cooperation from everyone in a legal department. Occasionally, they may travel to gather information, collect and review documents, accompany attorneys to depositions or trials, and do … Compare salaries for Legal Assistants in different locations, Common questions about being a Legal Assistant. A legal assistant however, does not give legal advice, nor can they sign any legal documents. Even though you have the education you need to become a legal assistant, most employers want experience so that they can hit the ground running. You can become a legal assistant in a variety of ways. Have law and ethical responsibility. Prepare legal documents (i.e. Whatever their previous day’s project was, they will continue it, but not before having a morning meeting with the attorney to coordinate their day. A corporate legal assistant is someone who works on corporate and transactional matters under the supervision of licensed attorneys. Able to write succinctly and have very good computer skills. Both careers are considered a niche career path. A legal assistant plays an integral role in the day to day activities of a law firm. They must research and synthesize that information, which is an important task associated with individuals doing this type of work. Sometimes, you’ll have to deal with sensitive cases and issues, so a sense of responsibility is important. Draft correspondence and legal documents, such as contracts, white papers and MOUs. Organises attorney efforts. Job Overview: What Does a Legal Assistant Do? Legal secretary roles have evolved over time. The NALA course enables students to earn a professional certification from the National Association of Legal Assistants, in preparation to becoming a paralegal and to taking the NALA Certified Paralegal Examination. Legal assistants usually work long hours as do attorneys, meticulously research and draft pleadings and other documents, handle client inquiries, and are intimately familiar with … A legal assistant works in nearly every business, industry or government institution where a lawyer is on staff. A legal assistant with more than 10 years experience can win $51,000 a year. A legal assistant’s specific duties may vary depending on the size of the legal department and the area of law in which the lawyer works. Paralegals can also bill clients for work completed, while legal assistants cannot. The employment outlook for the position of legal assistant is excellent. What Does a Legal Assistant Do? Learn how your comment data is processed. What Does a Legal Assistant do? Your email address will not be published. Often a legal assistant is the first person individuals meet when … Public speaking skills. Legal office assistants work under the direction of lawyers and help them prepare for meetings, hearings and trials. They assist clients, witnesses, vendors, and outside attorneys with their questions, as well as scheduling meetings. Corporations and the government are increasing their legal support staff positions, which is more economical. Both positions require knowledge of basic law, as well as attention to detail and strong verbal and written communication skills. You might organize documents or compile the facts of a case, you might even help the lawyer prepare for an upcoming trial. What Does a Patent Legal Assistant Do? A person can begin as a legal secretary who has gained enough experience that the company they work for will train them on the job. Legal assistants perform administrative duties, prepare legal documents, and handle general communication responsibilities with clients and other law firms. A legal assistant may be responsible for: Dealing with clients who drop into the law office; Sending legal briefs to other law firms; and; Managing email correspondence with suppliers. The ideal candidate for this position has a strong work ethic, exceptional problem solving skills and is comfortable working in a fast-paced and dynamic … © 2016 - 2019 * Job Descriptions WIKI - All rights reserved. A legal assistant is responsible for carrying out a variety of day to day functions in a law office such as meeting with clients, assisting attorneys, doing research work, and filing various documents. This leads to an increase in the demand for legal support staff in a variety of industries. No, a legal assistant cannot build up enough experience to become a lawyer without attending law school and passing the bar exam. Paralegals and legal assistants often work in teams with attorneys, fellow paralegals, and other legal support staff.. Paralegals do most of their work in offices. All deadlines are priority, and a minor detail overlooked could jeopardize the case of a client or merit legal action from opposing attorneys. A legal assistant handles much of the communications in a law office. Legal secretaries do what any administrative assistant might do, except that the legal world is a bit more convoluted. A legal administrative assistant is responsible for various secretarial duties in a legal office, but his or her precise job description depends on the firm. That is why writing fast and keeping things short and succinct is a requirement included in the legal assistant job description. Most employers require paralegals and legal assistants to have their associate degree, while other employers require a bachelor’s degree in legal studies. When a case is opened, working hours can extend to as much as 60 to 80 hours a week, sometimes for weeks at a time. Skills such as timekeeping, billing, word processing, file organization, accounting systems, and case management are relevant. Be willing to intern at nearby firms, government agencies, non-profit groups, etc. Types of Legal Secretary Skills . Use social media websites like LinkedIn to connect with people. You’ll be spending a lot of time doing research. You can also take college courses and earn an associate’s degree or obtain a legal assistant certificate. A legal assistant is an administration role within the legal field. Often assigned to one attorney, a group of attorneys, or a single practice focus. about Chipotle Crew Member Job Description, Responsibilities, Salary & More. An alternative job title, but one not in common use anymore is legal secretary. Required fields are marked *. They take phone calls but are … A legal assistant career is a great stepping stone toward a rewarding future, but it can also be a great job in itself. Practical knowledge of the law and the court system. Works side by side with firm attorneys. email and phone correspondence, handle client appointments). At Turner Law Offices, we provide clients with individual attention. This legal assistant sample job description can assist in your creating a job application that will attract job candidates who are qualified for the job. A legal assistant in a corporate firm or in-house legal department may also be responsible for filing information into appropriate case files or for submitting paperwork and documents to the court, the Department of Labor or the Equal Opportunity Employment Commission upon request. However, there are particular tasks that are only reserved for licensed attorneys. A paralegal is someone who performs delegated legal work for which a lawyer is ultimately responsible. People who are afraid of speaking in public aren’t suitable for a career as a legal assistant. Able to do legal research. If they have 5 to 10 years of experience, they can earn around $40,000 annually.