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A legal
assistant works with lawyers and attorneys to deliver legal services
to their clients. Legal assistants are not qualified to give advice
on or discuss legal matters directly with the client, and are not
involved with client representation in any way. Instead, legal
assistant training provides the candidate with skills needed to work
under the supervision of a lawyer or attorney. Legal assistants are
often involved with conducting research, drafting legal documents,
and summarizing depositions. Legal assistant schools provide
professional training and development for candidates interested in
pursuing a legal assistant career.
Legal Assistant Job
Description and Responsibilities
Graduates of legal
assistant schools are involved with a variety of in-depth research
projects, administrative tasks, and interviewing procedures
throughout their legal assistant career. Completion of a legal
assistant program provides students with the knowledge and skills to
work immediately after graduation. General responsibilities of legal
assistants include:
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Conducting legal
research
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Interviewing and
locating witnesses
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Maintaining
contact with a client
-
Signing
correspondence on behalf of an attorney (as their legal assistant)
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Summarizing
hearings, interrogations, testimonies and depositions for later
review
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Attending real
estate closings and administrative hearings
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Analyzing and
organizing information for the supervising attorney
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Drafting
contracts, mortgages, and separation agreements
Legal assistants
may work in a variety of offices and organizations. Legal assistant
training can be offered by each organization as a part of
employment, and gives legal assistants the experience they need to
further their career. Working as a legal administrative assistant is
another attractive opportunity for many graduates where the gain
immediate experience in the field. Common organizations and fields
where legal assistants work include:
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Corporate law
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Criminal law
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Litigation
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Personal Injury law
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Immigration
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Family Law
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Real
Estate
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Bankruptcy
Skills Needed to
Become a Legal Assistant
Legal assistants must be flexible, punctual, and accurate with their
work. Key skills to be successful in a legal assistant career
include:
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Strong listening skills
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Knowledge of court proceedings
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Strong knowledge of court documentation procedures
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General knowledge of local laws
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Familiarity with computers and technical knowledge
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Learning how to read and index legal documents
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Be courteous and professional
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Uphold ethical standards
Legal assistant classes prepare students with basic knowledge and
training in each of these areas, but the majority of these skills
are learned on the job.
Career Options
After Legal Assistant Training
Legal assistant
schools provide comprehensive training through a formal legal
assistant program. However, a graduate or successful trainee can
pursue various positions throughout their legal assistant career
including:
-
Legal
administrative assistant
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Paralegal
educator
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Legal office
management
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Executive
assistant
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Notary public
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Court information
clerk
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Court secretary
Legal
Assistant Classes, Training Programs, and Obtaining a Legal
Assistant Certificate
Legal assistant
schools prepare students with skills and knowledge they need to
start a career immediately after graduation. After completing a
legal assistant program, the candidate may choose to obtain a legal
assistant certificate to supplement their education. The Certified
Legal Assistant (CLA) designation is earned after completing an
examination and necessary training through the school.
Legal assistant
courses provide students with an understanding of legal terminology
and legal concepts, as well as training on ethical conduct and
business practices. Students are also involved with trial
preparation, client interviews, preparation of legal documents, and
legal research and drafting. Common legal assistant courses include:
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Legal Office
Management
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Legal Writing
Skills
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Real Property Law
and Title Search Skills
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Wills, Trusts,
and Estate Administration
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Legal Research
Skills
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Civil Litigation
and Investigation
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Torts, Workers
Compensation, and Employment Law
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Contract Law
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Business
Organizations
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Domestic
Relations
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Principles of
Accounting
The most common way
to become a legal assistant is to pursue an associate's degree
program. A legal assistant program through a two-year college may
then lead to a bachelor's or master's degree in the field, but many
legal assistants gain a significant advantage by working with an
attorney after college to gain experience. For a faster completion,
a legal assistant certificate program may be completed in a few
months. These programs may be taken online, or through a
correspondence course program where legal assistant classes are
completed by mail.
Legal assistant
training programs may also include an internship component that
enables students to gain practical experience in their field. They
may be assigned an internship with a bank, legal agency, or attorney
in the community. Although most employers do not require
certification, work experience can be a significant advantage to the
new graduate. However, certification provides the credentials needed
to advance a candidate's legal assistant career.
Obtaining a Legal
Assistant Certificate
A legal assistant
certificate is available after completing an 2-day examination, and
is administered by the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA).
Certified Legal Assistant (CLA) designation is then assigned to
those who pass the exam, but a legal assistant may choose to pursue
specialized recognition by passing the Paralegal Advanced Competency
Exam. This exam is administered by the National Federation of
Paralegal Associations to provide Registered Paralegal (RP)
designation.
Legal Assistant
Schools Approval & Accreditation
Legal assistant
schools are approved by the American Bar Association (ABA).
Accreditation for colleges and universities is available through the
Association of Colleges and Schools in each region or state, or the
Commission of Higher Education in the region.
Legal Assistant
Earning Potential and Employment Prospects
Legal assistants have many opportunities to enjoy a long-term
career in the field of law and litigation, and employment for legal
assistants is projected to grow faster than average through 2014.
The demand for skilled, educated, and certified legal assistants is
rising as more private law firms and institutions require additional
help. Even a legal administrative assistant may work towards a
long-term career, and specialization in a particular field provides
additional employment opportunities. Jobs in the field are affected
by the business cycle, but there are many options for legal
assistants during recessions as well as the positives cycles of the
economy.
Median annual earnings for legal assistants vary depending on the
industry, but the average range was between $31,040 and $49,950 in
2004. The majority of legal assistant jobs are found in the federal
government department, followed by local government and legal
services.
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