Description

A legal administrative assistant works with lawyers and paralegals, providing them with support on research, correspondence, filing, and other essential duties. An administrative assistant in this field needs a solid working knowledge of various legal principles and terms, and they must feel comfortable drafting documents and correspondence related to complicated legal concepts.Often, a legal administrative assistant conducts some paralegal work involving document research to assist their organization's paralegals. They should be comfortable with specific search engines such as Lexis/Nexis and Findlaw. They must be able to draft documents for the staff across a variety of legal disciplines. They typically maintain and organize schedules for appointments, meetings, and cases for their organization's lawyers; as such, the administrative assistant must possess superior organization skills and be comfortable with calendar and scheduling software.The legal administrative assistant often manages the day-to-day running of the office. This can involve tasks such as keeping office supplies in stock, managing invoices, and conducting bookkeeping for the various office support accounts and utilities.Depending on the size and salary considerations of the organization, most legal administrative assistants need at least an associate’s degree in business or a related field. They should obviously be fluent in a variety of office software, including word processing and spreadsheet work. Depending on the firm, prior experience as an administrative assistant could be required based on the high volume of correspondence and document drafting required by this position.

Roles & Responsibilities

As a Legal Administrative Assistant with 9+ years of experience in Canada, your main responsibilities include:

  • Managing correspondence and communications, including drafting and editing legal documents, emails, and letters. You will be responsible for ensuring accurate and professional communication within the legal department.
  • Organizing and maintaining legal files and records, both in physical and electronic formats. You will need to ensure that all legal documents are properly filed and easily accessible for reference.
  • Coordinating meetings, appointments, and travel arrangements for lawyers and legal staff. You will play a crucial role in scheduling and organizing the day-to-day activities of the legal team.
  • Conducting legal research, gathering relevant information, and preparing summaries and reports.

Qualifications & Work Experience

For a Legal Administrative Assistant, the following qualifications are required:

  • Proficient knowledge of legal terminology and procedures to assist with drafting legal documents, such as affidavits and contracts.
  • Strong organizational and time management skills to prioritize tasks, manage calendars, and maintain files and documents in an orderly manner.
  • Excellent communication skills to interact with clients, lawyers, and other legal professionals, both verbally and in writing.
  • Attention to detail and accuracy in handling legal documentation and correspondence, ensuring compliance with legal requirements and deadlines.

Essential Skills For Legal Administrative Assistant

1

Legal Environment

2

Legal Liability

3

Legal Research

Skills That Affect Legal Administrative Assistant Salaries

Different skills can affect your salary. Below are the most popular skills and their effect on salary.

Office Management

1%

Documentation

1%

Customer Billing

5%

Drafting

1%

Career Prospects

The role of Legal Administrative Assistant is crucial in maintaining smooth legal operations with extensive experience of 9+ years in Canada. For professionals looking for alternative opportunities, here are four roles to explore:

  • Paralegal: A position involving legal research, drafting documents, and assisting attorneys with case management.
  • Legal Secretary: A role that focuses on administrative tasks such as scheduling, document preparation, and client correspondence.
  • Contract Administrator: A position responsible for managing contracts, ensuring compliance, and negotiating terms and conditions.
  • Compliance Officer: A role involving the development and implementation of policies and procedures to ensure adherence to legal and regulatory requirements.

How to Learn

The job role of Legal Administrative Assistant in Canada is expected to experience moderate growth in the market. According to a 10-year analysis, there is a projected increase in employment opportunities for this position. With advancements in technology, demand for legal administrative assistants is expected to remain steady. Recent data points suggest that there will be numerous opportunities in the future for individuals with legal administrative skills to find employment in Canada.