Job recruiting can be stressful sometimes and finding the right fit for a position is very time-consuming. That is why we created a Legal Assistant Job Description Template to save time and get the best results in the recruitment process by using VIVAHR software.
Legal assistants, often known as paralegals, aid lawyers in reducing their workload. They accomplish this by executing a variety of clerical and administrative activities, ranging from call screening to legal research to document development and preparation. These responsibilities are required for effective client representation and the smooth administration of the law firm.
Individual law firms, two-person firms, and large practices with multiple attorneys all hire legal assistants. They may also work for corporations or nonprofit groups in legal departments. Paralegals typically work in a fast-paced, deadline-driven workplace. Legal assistants are typically required during conventional business hours in the office, but they may also be necessary outside of those hours.
Skill | Why it’s important |
Analytical Thinking | To aid in the construction of cases, legal assistants evaluate data and records such as legal codes and articles, briefs, and statutes. |
Organizational Skills | Legal assistants must be organized because they manage enormous volumes of paperwork and files while interacting with several clients at the same time. |
Time Management | Legal assistants must successfully manage their time since they have various priorities, many of which are deadline-driven. |
Typing | Because legal assistants are in charge of creating various documents and letters, they must be able to type quickly and accurately. |
Knowledge of Legal Terminology | Legal assistants must be able to communicate in legalese in order to conduct research, analyze data, and prepare paperwork. |
We’re seeking a legal assistant who excels at research and administration. In a fast-paced atmosphere, legal assistants are expected to work well under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
To be successful, legal assistants must be multitasking experts, perceptive communicators, and have a strong desire to provide accurate and insightful support to lawyers and legal teams. Top applicants will have a strong understanding of fundamental legal ideas, as well as excellent organizational skills, IT abilities, and precise attention to detail.
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If you’re done with applications collecting, check out our sample interview questions for a Legal Assistant. These can assist you through the hiring process and help you opt for the proper candidate.
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Technical Skills and Knowledge
Most paralegals and legal assistants have a paralegal studies associate’s degree or certificate. There is a chance for college graduates to get hired without any legal experience. Sometimes employers hire the ones with a bachelor’s degree and provide further legal training.
Legal Assistants can earn between $ and $ per hour. The median annual salary is $, meaning $ per hour. The wages depend on the area of employment, educational history, and prior expertise.
Percentile | 10% | 25% | 50% (Median) | 75% | 90% |
Hourly Wage | $22 | $25 | $28 | $32 | $35 |
Annual Wage | $45,789 | $51,980 | $58,780 | $66,360 | $73,261 |
Although the terms legal assistant and paralegal are frequently interchanged (since both jobs aid lawyers), the work that they perform can differ. A paralegal’s tasks are more closely related to legal practice than those of a legal assistant. Paralegals assist lawyers in the preparation of evidence for trials, the evaluation of court cases, and the writing of legal documents. Legal assistants help lawyers with scheduling and organizing in the law office by performing additional administrative work. Legal assistants cannot bill clients for completed work, although paralegals can.
No, without finishing law school and passing the bar test, a legal assistant cannot have enough experience to become a lawyer.
A four-year undergraduate program is normal, whereas a two-year college program in secretarial studies connected to law is possible.