Legal assistant job description sample, including tasks, skills, and responsibilities to edit to attract top candidates for your business.
Legal assistants are legal workers that assist lawyers and attorneys in court proceedings. They are also called paralegal and they help attorneys to reduce the burden of legal issues related to the case. They help in maintaining a record hearing, closing, investigation, and corporate meetings related to issues that are handled by the attorney. Legal assistants should also be familiar with all the behavior of federal and state courts, and should also have a functional administrative capacity.
Most of the time, people confuse legal assistants with law clerks employees. However, the tasks performed by these two experts are more or less similar, but it is not necessary for a legal assistant to have a degree in law. In the case of law clerks, a degree in law is mandatory. Even candidates who seek law degree can work as law clerks. However, in some countries, it is compulsory to acquire a diploma or obtain a law degree for both professionals.
Responsibilities
- Helps to develop cases by maintaining contact with people involved in the case; program repositories; preparing and submitting summonses and subpoenas; write complaints; prepare and archive disclosure requirements; prepare responses for the opposing counsel; generating status reports.
- Keeps clients informed by maintaining contact; communicate the progress of the case.
- Maintains case costs when checking current status with lawyers, clients, and providers.
- Support the preparation of cases by preparing case studies and documents for mediation conferences; prepare pleadings; track and get answers to the discovery; arrange equipment testing equipment cases.
- Improve the trial process by organizing evidence; prepare exhibitions; plans witnesses; ensure witnesses are ready when needed; take notes in court.
- Update working knowledge by participating in educational activities; read expert publications.
- Meets the goals of an organization that accepts ownership to respond to new and different requirements; explores opportunities to add value to their professional achievements.
- Provide administrative support to attorneys and improve office efficiency
- Managing communication with users, witnesses, etc.
- Prepare case reports and summarize statements, interviews, and statements
- Performing research and statistical/documentary studies
- Find and develop relevant information in the case
- Write and submit basic legal documents and correspondence
- Answering and directing phone calls
- Manage contact lists
- Monitor deadlines and schedule
Requirements
- Proven job skill as a legal assistant or legal secretary
- Knowledge of laws, legal procedures and protocols and the judicial system
- Satisfactory understanding of the daily work of a law firm
- Computer literacy
- Knowledge of English
- Practical understanding of case management software
- Excellent secretarial and organizational skills
- Ability to juggle various activities and work under pressure
- Legal Assistant certification or diploma
Necessary Skills
- Must possess highly organized skills to meet deadlines and set targets
- Competitive communication skills with good interpersonal skills
- Must be aware of all legal proceedings, legal rules of presentation, legal terminology and must be an expert in document preparation
- Focused on details, with good management and analytical skills
- Experience in handling software used to marinate any type of database for desktops and documents
- Must be able to handle fax machines, scanners, printers, and photocopiers