Legal Assistant Job Description [Updated for 2025]

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A 1165457055legal assistant21.62paralegal13.56legal5.07administrative assistant4.28legal secretary3.92148804317507527.9522.2843.60HOURLY32331160362025-10-012025-10-312025-09-012025-09-302025-11-05Legal Assistant, or Litigation Assistant, is responsible for helping Lawyers and other legal professionals prepare for trials or court cases. Duties typically listed in a Legal Assistant job description include answering phone calls and greeting clients, contributing to fact-checking, compiling case evidence and communicating with court employees to confirm court dates.

Legal Assistant duties and responsibilities

A Legal Assistant’s main responsibility is to aid Lawyers to ensure that clients receive the best possible representation. The specific duties of a Legal Assistant will often depend on the needs of the law firm or the Lawyer they assist, but normally include:

Communicating with clients via phone, by email and in person to conduct interviews and field questions
Performing initial background research and briefing the lawyer
Seeing to administrative tasks like making copies and sending invoices
Attending meetings alongside the Lawyer and taking accurate notes on proceedings
Organizing documents for court filing and record keeping
Transcribing and proofreading legal documents
Scheduling client appointments and court dates
Maintaining client confidentiality and privacy

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Legal Assistant Job Description Examples

Example 1

About chaidez law firm pllc:
Sole practitioner firm

Job Responsibilities:Save Changes
Candidate capable of handling multiple tasks such as office calls, client contact, meeting deadlines, translate documents (spanish to english) filing with EOIR and criminal courts.

Qualifications:

Must be bilingual (spanish) and have least 1 year experience in immigration law (filing bonds, family based petitions/asylum/u-visa) and/or criminal law in filing motions and criminal court proceedings and document review.

Familiar with CLIO, word,excel.

Work Remotely

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $14.00 - $19.00 per hour

Schedule:

8 hour shift
Monday to Friday

Education:

High school or equivalent (Preferred)

Experience:

Microsoft Office: 3 years (Required)
legal: 2 years (Required)

Language:

and read Spanish Location: In person

Example 2

HOW YOU HELP

We are looking for a self motivated Legal assistant to ensure smooth running of the office and effective case management. We practice in the areas of real estate, probate, estate planning and business. You will provide a broad spectrum of legal services under the supervision of an attorney. No experience necessary.

Responsibilities

Provide administrative support to lawyer and enhance office effectiveness
Handle communication with clients, witnesses etc.
Administratively support and attend trials
Prepare case briefs and summarize depositions, interrogatories and testimony
Conduct investigations and statistical/documentary research
Locate and develop case relevant information
Type up and file basic legal documents and correspondence
Answer and direct phone calls
Maintain contact lists
Monitor deadlines and juggle calendars

Skills

Proven working experience as legal assistant or legal secretary
Familiarity with law, legal procedures and protocols, and court system
Satisfactory knowledge of day-to-day operations of a legal office
Computer literacy
Proficiency in English
Working knowledge of case management software
Excellent secretarial and organisational skills
Ability to juggle multiple activities and work under pressure
Legal Assistant certification or diploma

Skills & Experience

Demonstrates proficiency with technology, including but not limited to Microsoft Windows, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Email, Dropbox, and Social Media.

High level of skill in written English, including spelling, grammar, and punctuation with an eye for formatting documents.

Strong organizational and follow-through skills, orderly and detail-oriented with ability to prioritize work with accuracy and efficiency while staying focused and calm under pressure.

Ability to work independently, take responsibility, take initiative, problem-solve using sound judgment, and handle confidential and sensitive information.

TO APPLY FOR THIS Position, Please Include

Resume
Cover Letter with salary requirements
Three references, preferably professional

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $16.00 - $18.00 per hour

Benefits:

Health insurance
Paid time off

Schedule:

Day shift
Monday to Friday

Travel requirement:

No travel

Education:

High school or equivalent (Preferred)

Experience:

Microsoft Office: 1 year Location: In person

Example 3

We are looking for a self motivated Legal assistant to ensure smooth running of the office and effective case management. We practice in the areas of real estate, probate, estate planning and business. You will provide a broad spectrum of legal services under the supervision of an attorney. No experience necessary.

Responsibilities

Provide administrative support to lawyer and enhance office effectiveness
Handle communication with clients, witnesses etc.
Administratively support and attend trials
Prepare case briefs and summarize depositions, interrogatories and testimony
Conduct investigations and statistical/documentary research
Locate and develop case relevant information
Type up and file basic legal documents and correspondence
Answer and direct phone calls
Maintain contact lists
Monitor deadlines and juggle calendars

Skills

Proven working experience as legal assistant or legal secretary
Familiarity with law, legal procedures and protocols, and court system
Satisfactory knowledge of day-to-day operations of a legal office
Computer literacy
Proficiency in English
Working knowledge of case management software
Excellent secretarial and organisational skills
Ability to juggle multiple activities and work under pressure
Legal Assistant certification or diploma

Resume
Cover Letter with salary requirements
Three references, preferably professional

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $16.00 - $18.00 per hour

Benefits:

Health insurance
Paid time off

Schedule:

8 hour shift
Monday to Friday

Travel requirement:

No travel

Ability to commute/relocate:

Las Vegas, NV 89146: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Experience:

Microsoft Office: 1 year Location: In person

Example 4

PCVA Law, a premier personal injury law firm with a 14-year track record of success, is seeking an experienced Legal Assistant to join our medical malpractice team in our Tacoma office. We work on a diverse range of cases, so every day brings a new challenge and new learning opportunities. This position supports partners and associates of the medical malpractice team.

Job Duties:

Coordinating with Courts
Efficient scheduling of depositions, mediations, and conferences
Calendaring case schedules
Drafting correspondence and other documents
Trial support (creating trial binders, refreshing trial box supplies)
Transcription
Direct communication with attorneys, clients, vendors, other legal staff
Scanning, printing, manipulating PDF documents, managing case files
Tracking bar license requirements and CLEs
Calendaring attorney activities and board support

Candidate must possessthe following:

3+ years experience as a legal assistant or paralegal
Knowledge of filing in WA Superior and US District courts
Excellent computer skills
Organizational and time management/prioritization skills
Typing speed of 50+ WPM
Excellent written and verbal communication
Intermediate to advanced ability with Microsoft Office
Intermediate to advanced ability with PDF software
Intermediate to advanced ability with Microsoft Windows
Ability to gather and synthesize information from a variety of sources, including notes, attorney direction, client website, court website, client file, etc., to draft documents and forms

The candidate may possess the following:

Paralegal Certification
Bachelor s degree
Typing speed of 70+ WPM
Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office, PDF Software, Windows
The ability and desire to know and learn keyboard shortcuts
5 to 10 years experience working in a law firm
Prior experience working with medical malpractice litigation

PCVA uses NetDocuments. Experience with this is a plus, but not necessary.

While not everyone will have experience with all systems, the best trait an employee can have is the ability to learn, and the ability to problem-solve. Training will be provided on all our systems. Your ability to take our training and run with it, while also seeking new projects to fill your time and help colleagues, will make you a very valuable member of the firm.

Work hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM in our Tacoma office.

Excellent compensation package:

Competitive salary DOQ. Subjective year-end bonus December 2023, once you've completed a full year
3 weeks paid time off per year, plus paid holidays
401k with company contribution
Excellent health benefits (medical, dental, vision, prescription)

PCVA requires its employees be vaccinated against COVID-19.

Job Type: Full-time

Salary range: $32.00 - $40.00 per hour

Benefits:

401(k)
Dental insurance
Health insurance
Health savings account
Paid time off
Profit sharing
Retirement plan
Vision insurance

Schedule:

8-hour shift
Monday to Friday
All staff required to be in Tacoma office 5 days per week
Overtime when necessary

Travel requirement:

Some local travel to Seattle may be necessary if we are in trial. In rare cases, some out of state travel may occur.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $32.00 - $40.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

401(k)
Dental insurance
Health insurance
Health savings account
Paid time off
Retirement plan
Vision insurance

Schedule:

8 hour shift
Monday to Friday

COVID-19 considerations:
We require all employees to be Location: In person

Example 5

Legal Assistant

We are looking for a competent part-time 20 hrs a week Legal Assistant to help with the organization and running of the daily operations of our small law office. The ideal candidate will be a hard-working reliable individual able to undertake a variety of law office/litigation support tasks and work diligently under pressure. This person will be comfortable working with a high degree of attention to detail and discretion and a multi-tasker. Experience in Federal and State litigation practice required.

Responsibilities

Scan/store digital records and pleadings ensuring accuracy and validity of information
Assist with sending form letters requesting various records and keeping track of such requests.
Perform receptionist duties.
Filing, open/close files.
Assist lawyer with various duties from responding to emails. pleading preparation and management of client files. 2-3 years Legal Assistant experience required.

Skills

Proven experience as an law office assistant role
Knowledge of excel spreadsheets.
Working knowledge of office equipment
General understanding of law office procedures
Excellent organizational and time management skills
Analytical abilities and aptitude in problem-solving
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Proficiency in MS Office
Bilingual Spanish/English.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $17.00 - $19.00 per hour

Schedule:

Day shift
Monday to Friday

COVID-19 considerations:
Negative covid-19 test required, if hired, prior to start date.

Experience:

legal assistant: 3 years (Preferred)
Word Excel or Google Docs: 2 years (Required)
Microsoft Office: 3 years (Required)
Law Office: 3 years (Required)

Language:

Spanish Location: In person

Example 6

We are looking for a skilled paralegal or Legal Assistant to join our Estate Planning, Trusts and Probate team. The successful candidate will be able to provide assistance during all phases of the litigation process including depositions, witness preparation, building exhibits, briefs, motions, and investigative records review as needed. This is a newly added position due to the growth in caseload. Candidate will work very closely with current Paralegal in the department. We see ourselves as family here at Mesch Clark Rothschild and we are looking for the next valued team member to join us.

Responsibilities:

Conduct initial in-take process and gather detailed information for group of Attorneys

Perform administrative duties (calendar hearings and deadlines, organize case files, manage logistics, work with clients

Maintain pleadings and discovery indexes

Organize exhibits, documents, evidence, briefs, and appendices

Aid attorneys with interrogatories and other discovery requests

Gather relevant information from a variety of sources

Liaise between trial team and internal/external third parties

Provide assistance with Estate Plans

Skills:

Proven working experience as an Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Paralegal or Legal Assistant.

Applicable knowledge of motions, discovery, evidence, litigation documentation, court rules, procedures, practices, etc.

Highly organized with the ability to juggle multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment

Strong writing and communication skills along with attention to detail

Extensive computer and legal database software experience

Paralegal associates degree or other relevant certification

Investigative mind and strong research skills

Traits desired for the MCR team member:

Resourceful

Reliable

Empathetic

Approachable

dedicated and mindful

The ideal candidate will have excellent time management skills, be a team player and detail-oriented. We encourage and value community involvement. If this describes you, please apply to join our team!

We offer a very competitive salary and benefits package to our full-time employees. MCR benefits include medical, dental, vision, life insurance, long term disability, 401-k, flexible spending accounts, generous PTO and company holidays.

Please visit us at [website]
EOE

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

401(k)
401(k) matching
Dental insurance
Employee assistance program
Flexible spending account
Health insurance
Life insurance
Paid time off
Professional development assistance
Referral program
Retirement plan
Tuition reimbursement
Vision insurance

Schedule:

8 hour shift

Supplemental Pay:

Bonus pay

COVID-19 considerations:
We require Covid vaccinations and boosters to keep safety in the forefront. We have followed CDC guidelines from the beginning.

Ability to commute/relocate:

Tucson, AZ 85701: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Experience:

Microsoft Office: 5 years Location: One location

Example 7

DY LAW, APC, a boutique law firm in Orange County/Los Angeles is seeking a Legal Assistant/Paralegal (Korean speaking preferred) to join our growing team. Our practice consists of business/real estate transactions, trust/estates, and civil litigation work.

We are looking for a self motivated individual to ensure smooth running of the office and effective case management. You will provide a broad spectrum of legal services under the supervision of an attorney. Duties may include assisting with filing various court documents, drafting templates and calendaring. Although not required, the ideal candidate will have civil litigation experience, be familiar with e-filing in state/federal courts, calendaring/docketing, and various legal administrative duties.

Looking for applicants with great organizational skills, ability to multitask, self-motivator, strong attention to detail, and a willingness to learn and help wherever needed. Must be a dedicated professional with a positive attitude. If you are looking for a new opportunity or wanting to get into the legal field, please submit your resume, cover letter and salary expectation for consideration!

Responsibilities:

Provide administrative support to lawyer and enhance office effectiveness
Handle communication with clients, etc.
Prepare case briefs and summarize depositions, interrogatories and testimony
Type up and file basic legal documents and correspondence
Monitor deadlines and calendar court dates
Editing and finalizing litigation documents
Filing with State and Federal courts (including e-filing)
General administrative duties, such as answering phones, expense reports, and other tasks as needed
Assist with Firm's social marketing efforts

Skills:

Excellent customer service skills: conduct intake process with potential clients, meet with clients, and have excellent phone skills
Familiarity with law, legal procedures and protocols, and court system
Satisfactory knowledge of day-to-day operations of a legal office
Excellent secretarial and organizational skills
Strong written and verbal communication and research skills

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time

Pay: $16.00 - $25.00 per hour

Benefits:

Paid time off

Schedule:

8 hour shift
Day shift
Monday to Friday

Supplemental Pay:

Bonus pay

Ability to commute/relocate:

Brea, CA 92821: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Experience:

Microsoft Office: 3 years Location: One location

Example 8

We are actively seeking a career minded recent graduate to join our team. Our office is local but global! If you are team player and independent self starter with strong writing and verbal communications skills then this may be the job for you. We will train.
If you have strong skills in these areas you should apply to this posting:

Multi tasking

Eye for Details

Team working

Independent self starter

Customer service

Compassion for others

Minimum degree requirements:

4 year Bachelors Degree
Bilingual IN Spanish preferred but not required

Benefits:
Medical Insurance
Dental & Vision Insurance
Vacation Pay
Holiday Pay

COVID-Considerations:

We are a fully vaccinated firm and working getting all staff the booster as per CDC recommendations. We have an office protocol ready to implement when required. It is complete with remote access for all employees when necessary.

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: $30,000.00 to $31,200.00 /year. We are a local law firm with a global reach! We are actively seeking a career oriented individual to join our team. Our office is small but growing and we want a hire that is a team player and independent self starter for a case manager /paralegal position. We will train you to manage cases and act as a liaison between client and attorney. Our caseload is growing and the ideal candidate for this position is organized, professional with a dedication and commitment to helping us meet all of our clients' objectives.

Paralegal responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Professional Appearance

Can handle multitasking with short deadlines with big tasks.

Must be detailed oriented with excellent writing and analytical skills.

Act as a Liaison between attorney/client and US Consulates/ government agencies

Strong Data Entry Skills

Academic requirements and preferences :

4 year Bachelors Degree ( Required)

Bilingual IN Spanish (Preferred but not required)

Benefits:

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vacation Pay

Holiday Pay

Will Train.

Job Type:Full-time

Salary: $30,000.00 to $31,200.00 /year

Thank you for your interest in a position at our firm! Hope to hear from you soon!'
'
Benefit Conditions:

Waiting period may apply
Only full-time employees eligible

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $30,000.00 - $31,200.00 per year

Benefits:

Dental insurance
Health insurance
Paid time off
Vision insurance

Schedule:

Monday to Friday

COVID-19 considerations:
We are a fully vaccinated office. We are prepared to go remote at any time. We are appointment only for in person consultations. We will always wear masks and social distance as required. Staff may go mask free unless recovering from COVID quarantine.

Education:

Bachelor's (Required)

Experience:

Multilingual: 1 year (Preferred)
Writing Skills: 4 years (Required)

Language:

Spanish Location: One location

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What does a 1165457055legal assistant21.62paralegal13.56legal5.07administrative assistant4.28legal secretary3.92148804317507527.9522.2843.60HOURLY32331160362025-10-012025-10-312025-09-012025-09-302025-11-05Legal Assistant do?

A Legal Assistant performs clerical, administrative and research tasks, freeing Lawyers and Paralegals to focus on building cases, composing legal documents and preparing for court proceedings. They are often the first person who prospective clients interact with, so they play an important role in creating first impressions. In addition, they typically gather initial information to provide Lawyers with strong foundations upon which to build cases.

By accurately transcribing documents, proofreading for errors and maintaining an organized record-keeping system, Legal Assistants impact the quality of service clients receive, lower the likelihood of errors and contribute to the overall success of law practices.

Legal Assistant skills and qualifications

To perform their job duties well, a Legal Assistant needs a strong set of skills. Qualifications that can indicate a quality candidate for your open position include:

Basic understanding of legal terminology
Computer skills to use information retrieval, document management, appointment, litigation support, word processing, spreadsheet and database software
Research skills to gather background information and relevant court records for cases
Oral communication and interpersonal skills to interact positively with clients, court personnel and coworkers
Organizational skills to maintain accurate records for multiple clients at one time
Typing skills to produce error-free legal documents quickly
Active listening skills to perform transcriptions and take accurate notes
Written communication skills to edit and proofread documents

Legal Assistant experience requirements

Whether previous legal experience is necessary to succeed in a Legal Assistant position will depend on the individual requirements of your firm. If you need your new hire to begin performing their duties quickly or to work independently, you may prefer to focus on candidates who have a few years of experience, particularly working in the same field of law, such as corporate law, criminal law or family law.

Firms that have a large team of Legal Assistants who can aid in training and provide assistance to new hires may be able to consider candidates with less experience. Some hiring managers may prefer to hire a candidate without any prior experience and then train them on the individual needs of their firms.

Legal Assistant education and training requirements

A minimum of an associate degree in paralegal studies is often required to work as a 1165457055legal assistant21.62paralegal13.56legal5.07administrative assistant4.28legal secretary3.92148804317507527.9522.2843.60HOURLY32331160362025-10-012025-10-312025-09-012025-09-302025-11-05Legal Assistant. Some Legal Assistants may have a bachelor’s degree and/or be working toward law school admission. Many aspiring Lawyers and Paralegals will pursue employment as a Legal Assistant in preparation for their future careers.

As you compare candidates, you may wish to prioritize individuals who have gained voluntary certification from the National Association for Legal Support Professionals (NALS). The organization grants two levels of certification for Legal Assistants: Accredited Legal Professional (ALP) and Certified Legal Professional (CLP). An entry-level credential, the ALP designation only requires candidates to pass a test. To earn the CLP credential, Legal Assistants must have three years of relevant work experience and earn a passing score on an examination.

Legal Assistant salary expectations

Common salary: 22.28 HOURLY
Typical salaries range from 7.95 - 43.60 HOURLY
Find more information on Indeed Salaries

*Indeed data – 2025-10-01

Job description samples for similar positions

If the Legal Assistant job description doesn’t fully reflect the details of your open position, see the job description templates for these related job titles:

Legal Assistant job description FAQs

What is the difference between a Legal Assistant and a Legal Secretary?

The difference between a 1165457055legal assistant21.62paralegal13.56legal5.07administrative assistant4.28legal secretary3.92148804317507527.9522.2843.60HOURLY32331160362025-10-012025-10-312025-09-012025-09-302025-11-05Legal Assistant and a Legal Secretary is largely the scope of responsibilities. Because they have some legal training, Legal Assistants may be responsible for editing legal documents, conducting interviews and researching case law in addition to performing clerical and administrative duties. Legal Secretaries are less likely to have post-secondary training in law, so they normally focus strictly on administrative tasks like copying, filing and answering phones.

What qualities make a good Legal Assistant?

Teamwork is integral to the work of a Legal Assistant, making people who enjoy working and collaborating with others well-suited to the role. Those who enjoy research, puzzles and problem-solving may thrive in the field as well. The ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines can be advantageous for would-be Legal Assistants.

What is the difference between a Legal Assistant and a Paralegal?

Paralegals tend to have more advanced education and work experience than Legal Assistants. As a result, they often compose first drafts of legal documents and perform more advanced research. They are also less likely to perform routine administrative tasks than assistants.

Three individuals are sitting at a table with a laptop, a disposable coffee cup, notebooks, and a phone visible. Two are facing each other, while the third’s back is to the camera. The setting appears to be a bright room with large windows.

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Legal Assistant Job Description: Top Duties and Qualifications

Legal Assistant duties and responsibilities

Legal Assistant Job Description Examples

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Build your Legal Assistant job description in minutes.

What does a 1165457055legal assistant21.62paralegal13.56legal5.07administrative assistant4.28legal secretary3.92148804317507527.9522.2843.60HOURLY32331160362025-10-012025-10-312025-09-012025-09-302025-11-05Legal Assistant do?

Legal Assistant skills and qualifications

Legal Assistant experience requirements

Legal Assistant education and training requirements

Legal Assistant salary expectations

Legal Assistant salary expectations

Job description samples for similar positions

Legal Assistant job description FAQs

What is the difference between a Legal Assistant and a Legal Secretary?

What qualities make a good Legal Assistant?

What is the difference between a Legal Assistant and a Paralegal?

Hire your next Legal Assistant today.

Job Description Examples

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Legal Assistant Job Description: Top Duties and Qualifications

Legal Assistant duties and responsibilities

Legal Assistant Job Description Examples

Example 1

Example 2

Example 3

Example 4

Example 5

Example 6

Example 7

Example 8

Build your Legal Assistant job description in minutes.

What does a 1165457055legal assistant21.62paralegal13.56legal5.07administrative assistant4.28legal secretary3.92148804317507527.9522.2843.60HOURLY32331160362025-10-012025-10-312025-09-012025-09-302025-11-05Legal Assistant do?

Legal Assistant skills and qualifications

Legal Assistant experience requirements

Legal Assistant education and training requirements

Legal Assistant salary expectations

Legal Assistant salary expectations

Job description samples for similar positions

Legal Assistant job description FAQs

What is the difference between a Legal Assistant and a Legal Secretary?

What qualities make a good Legal Assistant?

What is the difference between a Legal Assistant and a Paralegal?

Hire your next Legal Assistant today.

Job Description Examples

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