A law office assistant is responsible for providing administrative support to lawyers and paralegals. Duties may include answering phones, scheduling appointments, maintaining files, and drafting documents.
Law Office Assistant job duties include:
- Answering phones
- Greeting clients
- Scheduling appointments
- Managing calendars
- Typing documents
- Filing documents
- Serving as a liaison between clients and attorneys
- Performing legal research
- Drafting legal documents
- Assisting with trial preparation
Law Office Assistant Job Requirements
Most law office assistants have at least a high school diploma, although some jobs may require postsecondary education, such as an associate degree in office administration or paralegal studies. Many law offices also prefer to hire candidates who are certified through professional organizations, such as the National Association of Legal Assistants or the American Bar Association. Many law office assistants have several years of experience working in a law office or a related field before being promoted to their current position.
Law Office Assistant Skills
- Multitasking
- Customer service
- Phone skills
- Computer skills
- Data entry
- Scheduling
- Filing
- Copying
- Scanning
- Faxing
- Emailing
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How to become a Law Office Assistant
There are many ways to become a law office assistant. One way is to attend a legal administrative assistant program at a college or university. Many of these programs are two-year programs that offer an Associate’s degree upon completion. Alternatively, some students choose to complete a certificate program, which can be completed in as little as one year.
Some students enter the field with a high school diploma and complete on-the-job training. This training is typically provided by the employer and can last anywhere from several weeks to several months.
No matter which route you take to become a law office assistant, it is important to have strong written and verbal communication skills, as well as excellent organizational skills. You must be able to multitask and prioritize your work in order to be successful in this role.
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