Are you interested in legal studies but wouldn’t want to be a lawyer? Being a paralegal is the job for you!
A legal assistant, also known as a paralegal, works as an assistant to attorneys. They help in conducting research, creating schedules, and performing other clerical duties.
Having worked as a legal assistant, I can attest that it’s really exciting and fulfilling. However, there are necessary skills that are required of you.
Duties of a legal assistant
Clerical duties such as creating schedules for appointments, answering phone calls, taking messages and emails, and replying to them.
- Photocopying and filing documents.
- Conducting legal research.
- Procuring affidavits from witnesses.
- Assisting attorneys during trials.
- And lots more.
Also check: How to Create An Outstanding Lawyer Profile
What are the qualifications of a legal assistant?
Unlike lawyers who have to go through a four-year degree in college and a three-year JD in law school, legal assistants don’t have to do much.
Yes, you can be a legal assistant with an associate degree in paralegal studies ( which takes just two years) or a bachelor’s degree.
However, a bachelor’s degree gives you higher chance of getting jobs. There is also bachelor’s degrees in paralegal studies. So what are you waiting for? Sign up for the course as soon as possible.
Whether you decide to go for the two-year course or the four-year course on paralegal studies, it’s important to choose the legal specialization you’ll want to work with.
There are so many specialties but are not limited to
- Trial law
- Criminal law
- Family law
- Sport law
- Intellectual property law
- Business law
In essence, if you are going to work with a business law firm, you should have a piece of sound knowledge of business law.
The Hard Skills You Need As A Legal Assistant
Aside from formal education, there are skills required of you to thrive in the legal industry as a paralegal. Some of which are these:
- Computer literacy
- Understanding legal terminologies
- Investigative skills
- Understanding legal processes
- Understanding different types of law
- Legal writing skills
- Understanding of confidentiality and the ability to maintain it
If you don’t have some of these skills even after a bachelor’s degree, it’s okay. You can do an internship at a law firm of your specialty or undergo some training in order to acquire them
The Soft Skills You Need As A Legal Assistant
- Great writing skills.
- Great verbal communication skills and eloquence
- Ability to thrive in a teamwork
- Ability to multitask
- Ability to work independently
- Empathy and compassion
- Great customer service and relationship
How much is the salary Legal Assistant
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for legal assistants was $52,920 as of 2020.
However, the pay increases yearly
Conclusions
There you have it. From Techbmc.com we wish you the best on your journey to becoming a great and exceptional legal assistant. Live the life of your dreams!
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