As long as we live in a law-and-order society, there will always be a need for legal professionals. Legal assistants are in high demand because they assist attorneys with most administrative and other paperwork.
Becoming a legal assistant could be a great choice if you want to be a part of the legal system while having a stable job.
Becoming a legal assistant is more accessible and takes less time than in other legal professions. Because of this, the majority of people chose this career path.
Legal assistants can be found in public and private sectors, among other workplaces. In addition to working with large law firms and private practices, they may serve as in-house counsel for major corporations.
What is a Legal Assistant?
A legal assistant is a trained legal professional who assists lawyers with routine tasks. Administrative, customer service and coordination abilities are frequently required for employment as a legal assistant.
Legal assistants help attorneys improve their efficiency by assisting them with secretarial tasks such as answering phones, scheduling appointments, filing paperwork, attending court proceedings, and researching information for a specific case.
Depending on the law firm's size and the number of active cases, a legal assistant may also work with multiple lawyers simultaneously.
A legal assistant helps streamline the day-to-day operation of a law firm.
Role and responsibility of a Legal Assistant
Legal assistants help streamline a law firm's operations by performing various tasks. Some major roles include:
- To schedule meetings with prospective clients. Legal assistants help in the calendar coordination of any lawyer.
- To assist the lawyer by helping them with legal research and paperwork. An experienced legal assistant usually carries this out.
- To communicate with clients and manage smooth cooperation between lawyer and client. They act as a bridge between the lawyer and the client.
- Assist the lawyer with client billing and process invoices.
- Prepare documents required for pleadings and case summaries.
- Organize the documents of evidence and prepare them for courtroom proceedings.
- To help the lawyer by scheduling witnesses and ensuring they are ready for trial.
- Take notes in courtroom proceedings to assist the lawyer in making a case.
Steps to Be a Legal Assistant
Becoming a legal assistant is relatively more straightforward than in other legal professions. Some significant steps required to become a legal assistant are:
- Complete a diploma or certificate after training to become a legal assistant.
- Some law firms also require a bachelor's degree related to the law from an accredited university.
- Law college students can also be hired to be legal assistants after proper training.
Qualifications to be a legal assistant
To become a legal assistant, you must be prepared to perform various tasks within a law firm to assist the lawyer. Some primary skills to qualify as a legal assistant include:
- Personality and communication abilities - Legal assistants are the bridge between lawyers and prospective clients; hence, good communication skills are essential to communicate with them.
- Legal Knowledge - Legal assistants also need to know legal terms and concepts as it helps them to prepare legal documents to assist lawyers.
- Organizational skills - As a legal assistant, you must be able to organize multiple documents in multiple schedules.
- Digital Literacy - Legal assistants must also be proficient in computer skills to help prepare documents.
- Eye for detail - As a legal assistant, you must be able to catch even the most minor error in documents, as any slight error in a legal document can cause significant damage to a case.
Salary of a legal assistant
According to Payscale, the average annual salary of a legal assistant in India is approximately 3,96,370 INR. This, however, increases as you progress up the experience ladder. In addition to a basic salary, legal assistants are also provided with decent compensation such as tips, bonuses, and overtime pay. Legal assistants with 20 years of experience have the potential to earn an average total compensation of 6,00,000 INR per year.
Training Course for a Legal Assistant
To have a career as a legal assistant, you must undergo one of the following courses:
The fee structure for these courses can range from 1.5 lakhs to 15 lakhs.
Advantages and disadvantages of being a Legal Assistant
Advantages
- Job Security - Legal assistants are in high demand. Moreover, legal assistants will always be needed in legal firms or other types of firms that require legal work. Because of this, legal assistants have a secure career.
- Flexibility - Legal assistants work in legal firms and a multitude of organizations such as Consulting firms, Multinational companies, political parties, and corporate businesses. Legal assistants have the flexibility to work in any of these areas.
Disadvantages
- Lack of Proper Recognition - Legal assistants are underappreciated for the amount of work they do. Despite much effort, they are not as well-known as other legal professionals.
- Hectic Work Schedule - Legal Assistants are responsible for a wide range of tasks within a firm, from preparing legal documents to scheduling client meetings. Juggling multiple tasks at work can make your life chaotic.
Career as a Legal Assistant
Working as a legal assistant can be both challenging and rewarding. Legal assistants who work closely with attorneys play a significant role in streamlining the daily operations of a law firm. As a legal assistant, you can work for various organizations, including corporations, consulting firms, law firms, and political parties.
Typical companies that hire legal assistants are law associate firms, Amazon India, Adzuna India, etc.
Working alongside team members from paralegals to attorneys on behalf of lawyers, legal assistants serve law firms. Your regular duties will include helping a lawyer with mundane tasks that keep court cases going, and everyone informed.
Your day begins with checking the email, fax, or mail for court documents sent or received by clients, witnesses, or court officials. Next, you plan meetings, handle schedule adjustments, and update the lawyer on the day's activity.
On occasion, you might also need to do case research, which could entail getting hold of medical or job information. Additionally, you must regularly attend court hearings, take notes, and report to a lawyer.
Bachelor of Law in USA
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Talk to an ExpertFAQs: How to be a Legal Assistant?
What is the career scope of a Legal Assistant?
A legal assistant has a great career scope. You can work as a legal assistant, legal counsel, and even paralegal (after specific training) in different fields such as corporate business, legal firms, consulting firms, and even Multinational Companies.
What is the average salary of a legal assistant?
According to Payscale, the average annual salary of a legal assistant in India is approximately 3,96,370 INR.
What are the essential skills required for a legal assistant?
The essential skills required to be a successful legal assistant are organizational, communication, logical thinking, multitasking, and interpreting legal terms.
Is Legal Assistant an excellent job?
Working as a legal assistant can be both challenging and rewarding. The job offers robust job security and ample opportunities to earn as you gain experience.
What are my options after being a legal assistant?
After gaining enough experience, legal assistants can opt for different positions such as legal manager, legal service manager, and legal counsel.
What are the top colleges in India to study to become a legal assistant?
The top institutes in India are Banaras Hindu University, National Law University, Delhi, and the Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Patiala.
