Legal administrative assistants
Career Overview
Legal administrative assistants provide administrative support in law offices and the courts. They also work in banks, credit unions, real estate companies, government offices and legal departments of large companies.
Job Titles
Duties
Legal administrative assistants:
- Prepare correspondence and legal documents, such as wills, probate forms, affidavits, court pleadings, real estate papers and financial statements
- Review/proofread documents and correspondence
- Co-ordinate with clients to schedule meetings and court dates
- Maintain an efficient file management system
- Control confidential materials and documents
- Manage incoming mail and email, as well as co-ordinate the flow of court documents and other information
- Collaborate with others as part of a legal team
Legal administrative assistants may also:
- Supervise and train other staff
- Take notes in court, at meetings and during conferences
- Do other general office work
Earnings
Earnings is income that workers receive in exchange for their labour. Depending on the type of employment, earnings can be in the form of wages (hourly), salaries (fixed monthly or annual) or self-employed earnings.
Work Environment
# Workers Employed
7,870% Employed Full Time
60%Legal administrative assistants may work with a single lawyer or provide support to several legal professionals. They must be able to work independently and as part of a team.
Most legal administrative assistants work regular, full-time office hours. Some work from home. After-hours or weekend work may sometimes be required.
The shift from paper to electronic documentation means legal administrative assistants do a great deal of work on computers. This may lead to wrist or eye strain.
This is a demanding role in which excellent organization skills, high energy and attention to detail are key. Legal administrative assistants must be able to follow directions, prioritize tasks, manage competing goals and meet strict deadlines. Because they deal with confidential information, they must also show good judgement and discretion.
Career Pathways
Legal administrative assistants often start as filing clerks or in other junior roles in law firms or legal departments of large organizations.
As they gain experience, junior assistants may advance to senior assistant positions. With further education they may move on to other roles, such as paralegal.
Workers can increase their prospects for employment and promotion by taking additional training in legal theory and practice.
Related Careers
Occupational Interests
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For more about occupational interests visit Skills for the Future Workforce > Characteristics.
Here are the top occupational interest(s) for this career profile:
Education, Training and Skills
Most positions require a high school diploma as well as a one- or two-year post-secondary program depending on the employer’s requirements. Some programs partner students with employers to prepare graduates for the workforce. Students from these programs have better job prospects.
Legal administrative assistants must have a good understanding of legal terms, processes and common legal documents. They must also have a strong grasp of Microsoft Word, Outlook and Adobe.
Education programs in B.C.
The following program areas are related to this occupation:
- Legal Secretarial
Skills
Every job calls for a certain set of skills. Knowing those skills is the first step in finding a good career fit.
Here, you will find the 10 most relevant workplace skills. Some are more important to achieving success in a certain career than others. These skills may come naturally to you or you may need to gain them through education, training and experience.
See the list of work-related skills below, ranked in order of importance for this career. Check out the list and see if this career matches your skills—take that first step!
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Talking to others to share information effectively.
Managing one’s own time and the time of others.
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Keeping track of and assessing your performance, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Being able to solve novel, ill-defined problems in complex, real-world settings.
Labour Market Statistics
Discover data, facts and information that have been gathered and analyzed. Learn about the characteristics of the economy and labour market in B.C.
Employment
Find out about employment types and trends by region and industry.
Employment
7,870Employment by Region
| Region | Employment | % Employment of this Occupation |
|---|---|---|
| Cariboo | 115 | 1.5% |
| Kootenay | 90 | 1.1% |
| Mainland/Southwest | 5,510 | 70.0% |
| North Coast and Nechako | 35 | 0.4% |
| Northeast | 30 | 0.4% |
| Thompson-Okanagan | 985 | 12.5% |
| Vancouver Island/Coast | 1,105 | 14.0% |
Labour Market Outlook
The B.C. Labour Market Outlook is a 10-year forecast of the expected supply and demand for labour in the province. It’s usually updated every year. The purpose is to provide British Columbians with the knowledge to make informed decisions on careers, skills training, education and hiring.
Forecasted Job Openings (2024-2034)
3,500Forecasted Job Openings
Forecasted Employment Growth Rate
Composition of Job Openings
Job Openings by Region (2024-2034)
| Region | Job Openings | Avg. Annual Employment Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Cariboo | 10 | -1.3% |
| Kootenay | 20 | 1.2% |
| Mainland/Southwest | 2,610 | 1.8% |
| North Coast and Nechako | Not available | Not available |
| Northeast | 0 | -1.4% |
| Thompson-Okanagan | 410 | 1.6% |
| Vancouver Island/Coast | 450 | 1.1% |
Industry Highlights
Learn about the opportunities in B.C.'s major industries, including employment trends, earning potential, locations of work and more.
Forecasted Job Openings by Industry
| Industry | Job Openings (2024-2034) |
|---|---|
| Professional, Scientific and Technical Services | 2,800 |
| Finance, Insurance and Real Estate | 390 |
| Public Administration | 160 |
| Repair, Personal and Non-Profit Services | 40 |
| Educational Services | 20 |
Insights from Industry
While technology has reduced the demand for some administrative professionals, well-qualified legal administrative assistants still enjoy good prospects for full-time work.
There are currently enough new graduates, but some employers struggle to find workers with practical experience and strong knowledge in the various areas of legal practice. Legal administrative assistants with training and experience in litigation, corporate, estate and conveyance procedures, as well as those with good computer and communication skills, are in higher demand.
Resources
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Association of Administrative Professionalswww.canadianadmin.ca
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British Columbia Legal Management Association (BCLMA)bclma.org
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British Columbia Paralegal Association (BCPA)www.bcparalegalassociation.com
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International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP)www.iaap-hq.org
Career Videos
Watch the video below to see what a legal administrative assistant does in a day.
Watch the video below to see what a legal administrative assistant does in a day.
