how to be a lawyer assistant

How to become a legal assistant

1. Get a paralegal degree. Employers typically seek legal assistants with some level of formal education. ...
2. Gain experience. Apply for an internship in a law firm, government agency, corporate legal department, public defender’s office or other legal setting.
3. Complete a certificate program. ...
4. Build your skills. ...
5. Apply for jobs. ...

Full Answer

Do I need a lawyer Assistant certification?

Your state Bar Association likely offers a legal assistant certification. It's not always required that students go on to get certified in order to get a job, but some employers do look for certified legal assistants (CLA) when they parse through candidates. For that reason, it can be helpful.

How do I become a legal assistant?

If you’re in high school you can start preparing to become a legal assistant. Subjects like English and law will be of great assistance. Other humanities subjects are also a good choice. If you can get some work experience in an office environment this will also be helpful. There are a few different education ways to become a legal assistant.

What is the difference between a lawyer and a legal assistant?

In fact, as a legal assistant or paralegal, you will carry out many of the same tasks as a lawyer, with two major exceptions: you cannot dispense legal advice or represent a client in court. In most cases, your job will involve handling a lot of paperwork and managing clients.

What are the requirements to become a lawyer?

The ideal candidate will have an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in legal studies or a related field or at least three years of experience working in a law firm.

What does a legal assistant do?

In a nutshell, legal assistants are the lawyer’s right hand. The professionals can work in a wide range of fields (corporate law, criminal law, lit...

How much do legal assistants make?

On average, a legal assistant can make a little less than $44.000 per year in the United States. In case you decide to choose this career path, you...

How much does it cost to become a legal assistant?

Becoming a legal assistant can provide you with a foundation for more advanced careers. In a lot of cases, you would need an associate’s or a bache...

What is the demand for legal assistants?

Between 2018 and 2028, the legal assistant job market is expected to grow by 12%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That is much faster...

How long does it take to become a legal assistant?

It will take you 2 years to earn an associate’s degree and 4 years to obtain a bachelor’s degree. A lot of employers prefer the candidates to have...

How to become a legal assistant?

There are a few different education ways to become a legal assistant. You could complete a two year associates degree at community college which is directed at those looking to work as a legal assistant. Another choice is to complete a four year bachelors degree in criminal justice. If you were looking at working in a role where you were completing ...

What are the duties of a legal assistant?

Here are some of the responsibilities you might take on as a legal assistant: 1 Preparing legal documents and contracts 2 Preparing a legal case or defense 3 Interviewing clients and witnesses 4 Completing legal research 5 Attending a trial 6 Answering phone calls 7 Taking client inquiry 8 Meeting with clients

What states pay the highest salaries for legal assistants?

Legal assistants that work in Washington, New York, and Oregon, for example, have the highest average salaries.

How much does a legal assistant make?

On average, a legal assistant can make a little less than $44.000 per year in the United States. In case you decide to choose this career path, you can expect to earn anywhere between $31.000 and $65.000 annually. The salary would certainly depend on a variety of factors – your education and experience level, the employer, the location and so on.

What degree do I need to become a criminal justice officer?

Another choice is to complete a four year bachelors degree in criminal justice . If you were looking at working in a role where you were completing legal work and research then the bachelors degree would be preferable.

What does a legal secretary do?

A legal secretary would also have to deal with project management; that means keeping paper and electronic files in order, setting up appointments, keeping track of deadlines, maintaining a detailed calendar, etc.

What is the difference between a legal assistant and a larger firm?

In a smaller firm, a legal assistant would have a much broader range of duties, whereas in a larger firm they are expected to specialize in a particular area. If you are looking for advancement then a larger firm is the best place for the most opportunity.

What is a legal assistant?

Put simply, a legal assistant is a legal professional who completes work—typically administrative —on behalf of a lawyer.

What does a legal assistant do?

As we’ve established, legal assistants support law firms by working with others on the team—from paralegals to attorneys—on behalf of lawyers. But what exactly does a legal assistant do?

What is a legal assistant vs. a paralegal?

We’ve explored the answer to the question of “What is a legal assistant” earlier in this blog post. While the terms “legal assistant” and “paralegal” are often used interchangeably, the roles of today’s legal assistants and paralegals are different.

What is the average salary for a legal assistant?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the 2020 median pay for paralegals and legal assistants was $52,920 per year or $25.44 per hour.

Working with a freelance legal assistant

Now that we understand “what is a legal assistant,” we understand that most lawyers and law firms can benefit from a legal assistant’s support. But hiring a full-time, in-house legal assistant isn’t always the best solution—particularly for smaller firms.

Rules and ethics to know when working with a legal assistant

Though legal assistants can take on many support and administrative tasks on behalf of a lawyer, legal assistants are limited in what they can do.

What to consider when hiring a legal assistant

Now that you’ve understood “what is a legal assistant,” you may decide to hire a legal assistant. If you’re hiring a legal assistant for your law firm, there are several factors to consider to ensure you’re making the best business decision for your firm. Start the process by asking yourself questions like:

How to become a legal assistant?

Depending on your professional goals, here are steps you can take to become a legal assistant: 1. Get a paralegal degree. Employers typically seek legal assistants with some level of formal education. This can range from a two-year associate’s degree in paralegal studies to a four-year bachelor’s degree.

What degree do I need to become a legal assistant?

Most legal assistants have at least a two-year associate’s degree , preferably in paralegal studies. Many employers, however, seek candidates who have a bachelor’s degree in legal or paralegal studies. These programs give candidates a thorough background in areas such as legal writing and the different types of law.

How to become a CLA?

To become a CLA, you must show that you have a degree or have taken certain classes in legal or paralegal studies, then pass an exam through your state’s bar association. This exam will test your knowledge on topics such as legal ethics, communications, legal research and judgment.

Where do legal assistants work?

Legal assistants typically work full-time hours in law offices. However, some work for government agencies or legal departments at corporate offices. Legal assistants might work long hours or overtime during cases or meet deadlines. They might travel outside the office to gather or deliver documents or to assist lawyers during trials.

How much does a legal assistant make an hour?

For the most up-to-date salary information from Indeed, click on the salary link. Common salary in the U.S.: $16.35 per hour.

Why is it important to have a legal assistant?

As legal assistants often work in fast-paced situations and might need to handle multiple cases at once, it is important to schedule and manage time efficiently. Some legal assistants manage multiple schedules and should be able to maintain each one accurately.

Do I need a license to become a legal assistant?

While you do not have to become licensed or certified to get a legal assistant job, some law firms are more likely to hire someone who has a Certified Legal Assistant (CLA) certification, which shows an individual can perform paralegal duties.

What education do I need to become a legal assistant?

Education. While there are no official minimum education requirements to become a legal assistant, some firms want their paralegals to have a certificate or a degree. Generally speaking, the more education you have, the more competitive you will be in the paralegal job market. You have several options for education in paralegal studies ...

What is an associates degree in paralegal studies?

An associate’s degree in paralegal studies teaches you information about the paralegal profession and the legal system. General education courses help you become more well rounded.

What is an internship in legal?

Having an internship can give you firsthand experience in what it is like to work as a legal assistant and help you define your career goals.

What are the skills needed to become a paralegal?

Besides a degree or certificate, there are several additional skills that can help legal assistants be successful. Successful paralegals might have: 1 Excellent research skills 2 In-depth knowledge of computers and technology 3 Strong oral communication skills 4 Outstanding written communication skills 5 Superb interpersonal skills 6 Wonderful time management abilities 7 A highly organized mindset

How long does it take to get a paralegal degree?

Getting your bachelor’s degree will take about 4 years, which isn’t realistic for everyone.

What is a post degree paralegal?

Combining a post-degree certificate in paralegal studies with a degree outside of a legally related field may make you more valuable to employers.

Where can I get a paralegal degree?

You can find bachelor’s degrees in paralegal studies at many community colleges, 4- year institutions, and private universities. Admission into one of these programs requires you to meet specific admission requirements.

What do legal assistants need to know?

Most lawyers rely on their legal assistants to draft everything from everyday emails to professional legal documents. As a result, legal assistants must know how to communicate effectively through writing, create documents according to accepted formats and proofread.

What do legal assistants do?

What Does a Legal Assistant Do? 1 Answer phone calls, respond to emails and greet clients 2 Schedule meetings, appointments, and interviews 3 Organize paperwork 4 Maintain legal files and other relevant information in digital databases 5 Write drafts of contracts, letters, and legal documents 6 Gather information about cases 7 Conduct research on laws and regulations 8 Reference law libraries 9 Assist during trials and hearings 10 Prepare and deliver affidavits 11 Perform billing/accounting duties

What is a paralegal?

Technically, the title paralegal is reserved for someone who is certified through an organization such as the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) or the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA).

How much will legal assistants grow in 2028?

And according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for legal assistants is expected to grow 12 percent from 2018 to 2028. This rate is considered much faster than average for all occupations. Home78.

How to stay on top of legal changes?

To stay on top of ongoing changes within the industry, you may choose to enroll in online or in-person classes, attend conferences and/or regularly read legal articles, books, and blogs. Soft skills, on the other hand, are more difficult to learn in a traditional setting.

Do government agencies hire legal assistants?

However, government agencies and legal departments in large corporations also hire legal assistants. As an office job, the position requires lots of sitting and computer work. In some cases, legal assistants may be asked to travel to court cases or gather/deliver documents. Generally, the job is fast-paced.

Do legal assistants depend on people?

Legal assistants depend on many people and many people depend on them to get the job done. This remains true regardless of the size of the office. To be successful, they must view themselves not as a single person working in isolation but rather as a contributing member of a larger team.

What training is required to become a legal assistant?

What Training Is Required to Become a Certified Legal Assistant? To get certified as a legal assistant or paralegal, you need to meet education or training requirements as mandated by a voluntary professionals' association and pass the association's exam. After certification, you need to take continuing education classes or workshops ...

What is a certified legal assistant?

Certified Legal Assistant or Paralegal Education and Training. A legal assistant or paralegal handles many tasks within a law office. In fact, as a legal assistant or paralegal, you will carry out many of the same tasks as a lawyer, with two major exceptions: you cannot dispense legal advice or represent a client in court.

What is a NALA?

National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) - for Legal Assistants and Paralegals. The NALA offers the Certified Legal Assistant (CLA) or Certified Paralegal (CP) certifications. The organization also offers advanced certifications in certain legal specialties.

What are the skills needed to become a paralegal?

Paralegals must also have top-notch writing skills to draft correspondence, contracts, memos, pleadings, discovery, motions, briefs, and more.

How long does it take to become a paralegal?

There are several ways to become a paralegal: Certificate programs, two-year programs, and four-year programs can all lead to becoming a paralegal. The route you choose to go depends on your current role, educational status, and what your eventual goals are. Many employers prefer paralegal candidates with four-year degrees.

What is a paralegal?

A paralegal provides support to lawyers in a variety of ways, including investigating facts related to a case , interviewing clients and witnesses, drafting legal documents, and performing legal research. Paralegals cannot give legal advice and always work under the supervision of an attorney.

How many hours do paralegals work?

Generally, paralegals work at least 40 hours per week, but sometimes put in more time than that to meet deadlines. They usually work in an office setting, but may travel to accompany lawyers to trials, gather documents, or do research. 4 .

Is paralegal the same as legal assistant?

The terms “paralegal” and “legal assistant” used to be interchangeable, but that is slowly beginning to change within the industry. Legal assistants often have more administrative roles, while paralegals perform more duties directly related to the law. 2 .

What is a Legal Assistant?

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. A high school degree is required to become a legal assistant and most legal assistants have an associate's degree or a certificate in paralegal studies.

Job Overview

Come work at Acme Corp, the leading company in our field in the Springfield metro area. We're proud to have a 3.7 rating on Glassdoor from our employees. We are looking to hire an experienced Legal Assistant to join our existing top-notch team. If you're a passionate self-starter, Acme Corp is an excellent place to get ahead.

Responsibilities for Legal Assistant

Collect, examine, and organize evidence and other legal documents for attorney review and case preparation

How to become an indispensable part of a law firm?

One of the single most effective methods of becoming an indispensable part of your law firm is to partner with your boss. Take the lead and think of yourself as an in-house administrative consultant; instead of working for your boss, work with your boss. Many people shy away from taking control and this is the wrong thing to do. You are an authority in your department. Own it and be accountable.

What is the LAA's job?

The LAA’s job is fast-paced with multiple responsibilities including calendar management, tracking meetings, and preparing legal correspondence. It’s essential that he or she stay organized to manage time and tasks accordingly. If the assistant doesn’t know how to keep track and prioritize what needs to be done, something might fall off the to-do list, causing a much worse situation down the road.