Job Role Description

Legal > Legal Assistant

Salary National Average

Low Medium High
42870.0000 54410.0000 67890.0000

Change from Previous Year:

+5%

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Candidate Supply: 5,050 Job Openings: 55,715

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Short Description:

Assist with the preparation of legal documents. Research background information related to legal issues, gather records and files and put information together. Draft routine contracts or legal agreements. Retain files of prepared legal documents. May respond to interrogatories and coordinate requests between internal and external counsel.

Duties / Responsibilities:

  • Prepare affidavits or documents, such as legal correspondence, and organize and maintain records in paper or electronic filing system.
  • Prepare for trial by performing tasks such as organizing exhibits.
  • Prepare legal documents, including briefs, pleadings, appeals, wills, contracts, and real estate closing statements.
  • Meet with clients and other professionals to discuss details of the case.
  • File pleadings with the court clerk.
  • Gather and analyze research data, such as statutes, decisions, legal articles, codes, and documents.
  • Call upon witnesses to testify at the hearing.
  • Investigate facts and law of cases and search relevant sources, such as public records, to determine causes of action and to prepare cases.
  • Direct and coordinate law office activity, including delivery of subpoenas.
  • Keep and monitor legal volumes to ensure that the law library is up-to-date.

Skills / Requirements / Qualifications

  • Computers and Electronics: Knowledge of office software, including MS Word, Excel, and Outlook.
  • Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
  • Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the audience's needs.
  • Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
  • Time Management: Managing one's own time and the time of others.
  • Active Learning: Understanding new information's implications for current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
  • Coordination: Adjusting actions concerning others' actions.
  • Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
  • Monitoring: Monitoring/assessing the performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Job Zones

  • Education: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
  • Related Experience: Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. 
  • Job Training: Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
  • Job Zone Examples: These occupations usually involve communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include food service managers, electricians, agricultural technicians, legal secretaries, interviewers, and insurance sales agents.
  • Specific Vocational Preparation in years: 1-2 years of preparation (6.0 to < 7.0)

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