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Job outlook for legal assistants in the United States
Legal assistant job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected legal assistant job growth rate is 14% from 2018-2028.
About 49,900 new jobs for legal assistants are projected over the next decade.
Legal assistant salaries have increased 7% for legal assistants in the last 5 years.
There are over 420,346 legal assistants currently employed in the United States.
There are 9,560 active legal assistant job openings in the US.
The average legal assistant salary is $42,387.
Are legal assistant jobs in demand?
Legal assistant job and salary trends over time
Legal assistant jobs over time
Legal assistant job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 420,346 | 0.12% |
| 2020 | 422,627 | 0.13% |
| 2019 | 426,833 | 0.13% |
| 2018 | 418,304 | 0.13% |
| 2017 | 410,336 | 0.12% |
Average legal assistant salary over time
Legal assistant salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $42,387 | $20.38 | +2.3% |
| 2025 | $41,442 | $19.92 | +1.6% |
| 2024 | $40,801 | $19.62 | +1.1% |
| 2023 | $40,376 | $19.41 | +1.8% |
| 2022 | $39,648 | $19.06 | +1.4% |
Legal assistant jobs by state
Most common states for legal assistants
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 173 | 25% |
| 2 | Ohio | 11,658,609 | 439 | 4% |
| 3 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 286 | 4% |
| 4 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 217 | 4% |
| 5 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 33 | 4% |
| 6 | Florida | 20,984,400 | 575 | 3% |
| 7 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 324 | 3% |
| 8 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 290 | 3% |
| 9 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 210 | 3% |
| 10 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 190 | 3% |
| 11 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 78 | 3% |
| 12 | West Virginia | 1,815,857 | 59 | 3% |
| 13 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 49 | 3% |
| 14 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 43 | 3% |
| 15 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 32 | 3% |
| 16 | Alaska | 739,795 | 25 | 3% |
| 17 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 20 | 3% |
| 18 | California | 39,536,653 | 874 | 2% |
| 19 | New York | 19,849,399 | 474 | 2% |
| 20 | Nevada | 2,998,039 | 56 | 2% |
Most common cities for legal assistants
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Orlando | 11 | 4% | $37,096 |
| 2 | Fort Lauderdale | 7 | 4% | $36,496 |
| 3 | Pasadena | 5 | 4% | $49,699 |
| 4 | Washington | 20 | 3% | $56,896 |
| 5 | Atlanta | 12 | 3% | $38,164 |
| 6 | Tampa | 10 | 3% | $37,164 |
| 7 | Denver | 11 | 2% | $49,333 |
| 8 | Los Angeles | 27 | 1% | $49,705 |
| 9 | Jacksonville | 10 | 1% | $37,502 |
| 10 | Boston | 9 | 1% | $47,166 |
| 11 | Baltimore | 8 | 1% | $43,167 |
| 12 | San Diego | 8 | 1% | $48,507 |
| 13 | Detroit | 7 | 1% | $41,768 |
| 14 | Austin | 6 | 1% | $41,007 |
| 15 | Indianapolis | 6 | 1% | $36,902 |
| 16 | Minneapolis | 5 | 1% | $43,845 |
| 17 | Oakland | 5 | 1% | $52,731 |
| 18 | New York | 25 | 0% | $48,473 |
| 19 | Chicago | 13 | 0% | $45,938 |
Legal Assistant job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of legal assistant experts
University of Akron
Highline College
Berkeley College
Catholic University of America
Catholic University of America
Berkeley College
University of Hartford
The University of Illinois at Chicago
California University of Pennsylvania
University of Iowa
University of Houston - Clear Lake
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
New England Law | Boston
Daemen College
Daemen College
Indiana University Bloomington
University of Baltimore
Saint Augustine's University
University of Georgia
What general advice would you give to a Legal Assistant?
Cathy Davis ACP: The U.S. Department of Labor lists the paralegal profession is a growing profession in the country. Employment of paralegals and legal assistants is projected to grow 4 percent from 2022 to 2032, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 38,000 openings for paralegals and legal assistants are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. A good paralegal should be able to take at least one-fourth of an attorney's workload everyday. This frees up the attorney to do other tasks for the client which is billed at a higher rate than the paralegal. With the attorney and paralegal both doing billable tasks each day, this increases the bottom line for the firm. In Alabama, there is a growing need for paralegals.
What Legal Assistant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Cathy Davis ACP: A good paralegal will know what deadlines are coming up and be prepared with a to-do list of things he/she needs to take care of on any given day. In addition to that, they need to be flexible because an emergency may come up or a change of course may occur. A good paralegal will be able to easily switch course and adjust to any kinks in the schedule. For a litigation paralegal, a day may include intake of new cases, calendaring, interviewing clients and witnesses, case review, ordering accident reports, driving abstracts and subpoenaing medical records, review and summarizing of documents, drafting pleadings, discovery or motions. For a corporate paralegal, it may be researching documents, corporate searches, drafting corporate documents, meetings with clients and/or witnesses and attending meetings. A good paralegal is going to be an excellent researcher, detail-oriented and efficient with their time. For a newcomer to the field, being able to switch between tasks easily is a must. A desire to learn is also a must. In litigation, many cases may have similarities, but all cases have their own quirks which makes the law interesting. Knowing the basics of how cases are handled and proceed through court is a must. Being ethical is also crucial. While paralegals are not licensed, they are working under the supervision of an attorney and must understand the ethical rules that guide each attorney. For those changing jobs, do not be afraid to ask to take on new tasks that maybe the attorney hasn't handed over to paralegals in the past. If you want to go to court, ask to go. If you want to draft pleadings and discovery, ask to do so. Once the attorney feels comfortable with the work product, he will wonder why he wasn't letting paralegals draft these documents all along.
What will help Legal Assistants increase their earning potential?
Cathy Davis ACP: This might change between corporate or litigation, but a good paralegal will know what deadlines are coming up and be prepared with a to-do list of things he/she needs to take care of on any given day. In addition to that, they need to be flexible because an emergency may come up or a change of course may occur. A good paralegal will be able to easily switch course and adjust to any kinks in the schedule. For a litigation paralegal, a day may include intake of new cases, calendaring, interviewing clients and witnesses, case review, ordering accident reports, driving abstracts and subpoenaing medical records, review and summarizing of documents, drafting pleadings, discovery or motions. For a corporate paralegal, it may be researching documents, corporate searches, drafting corporate documents, meetings with clients and/or witnesses and attending meetings. A good paralegal is going to be an excellent researcher, detail-oriented and efficient with their time.
For a newcomer to the field, being able to switch between tasks easily is a must. A desire to learn is also a must. In litigation, many cases may have similarities, but all cases have their own quirks which makes the law interesting. Knowing the basics of how cases are handled and proceed through court is a must. Being ethical is also crucial. While paralegals are not licensed, they are working under the supervision of an attorney and must understand the ethical rules that guide each attorney.
For those changing jobs, do not be afraid to ask to take on new tasks that maybe the attorney hasn't handed over to paralegals in the past. If you want to go to court, ask to go. If you want to draft pleadings and discovery, ask to do so. Once the attorney feels comfortable with the work product, he will wonder why he wasn't letting paralegals draft these documents all along.
Alisa Benedict O’Brien
Assistant Dean for Career Services, Strategic Initiatives & External AffairsUniversity of Akron
Dispute Resolution
What general advice would you give to a Legal Assistant?
Alisa Benedict O’Brien: Make yourself indispensable to your employer. Be timely and demonstrate your enthusiasm for your job and your work ethic. Offer to jump in on a project or stay late to get your work done. Get involved in your community and network. Getting out and building relationships will lead to clients and generate business. Never stop learning and asking questions as your goal is to become an expert in your field; this includes attending continuing legal education programs, seminars, lunch and learns, webinars, writing a blog post or article, etc.
What Legal Assistant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Alisa Benedict O’Brien: Be authentic and confident. You have worked extremely hard to finish your law degree and to pass the bar exam. You have demonstrated you are capable so now is the time to give yourself every opportunity to succeed in your career. Join your state and local bar associations and seek out mentors. Volunteer. Pro bono service is extremely important to your personal and professional growth.
What will help Legal Assistants increase their earning potential?
Alisa Benedict O’Brien: Make yourself indispensable to your employer. Be timely and demonstrate your enthusiasm for your job and your work ethic. Offer to jump in on a project or stay late to get your work done. Get involved in your community and network. Getting out and building relationships will lead to clients and generate business. Never stop learning and asking questions as your goal is to become an expert in your field; this includes attending continuing legal education programs, seminars, lunch and learns, webinars, writing a blog post or article, etc.
What skills stand out on Legal Assistant resumes?
Che Dawson J.D.: The most important is technology and writing skills, in that order.
What soft skills should all Legal Assistants possess?
Che Dawson J.D.: Willingness to learn, professionalism (punctuality, collegiality), ability to work independently and take the initiative.
What skills will help Legal Assistants earn the most?
Che Dawson J.D.: Technology! Most attorneys aren't outstanding with technology. They really value assistants who are!
Richard Olivieri
Professor, Legal StudiesBerkeley College
School of Professional St
What skills stand out on Legal Assistant resumes?
Richard Olivieri: Over the past decade, legal specialists have assumed a combination of responsibilities historically handled by legal secretaries, paralegals, office managers, and, in some law firms, the accounting and billing departments. As a result, when a law firm partner or hiring committee reviews resumes of prospective legal specialists, they typically focus on the experience and education backgrounds of candidates to ensure that they possess excellent communication and critical thinking skills. Legal specialists should also be proficient in legal technology. In addition to having knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, Adobe Acrobat, and Clio. Legal specialists should be familiar with time tracking and billing software (e.g., TimeSlips).
What soft skills should all Legal Assistants possess?
Richard Olivieri: As in most professions, legal specialists must possess soft skills. Soft skills such as being a team player, the ability to multitask, and the capability of interacting on a personal level with staff and clients are expected. Furthermore, since lawyers and clients typically serve as a buffer, legal specialists must exhibit empathy and patience when communicating with clients.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Legal Assistants?
Richard Olivieri: Hard skills are essential to working in a legal environment. Proficiency in legal technology such as how to eFile documents with state and federal courts, experience with the drafting of pleadings and discovery documents, and the ability to conduct legal research via free resources available on the internet, as well as subscription databases (e.g., Westlaw Edge and Lexis+), is important. There has also been an increased demand for legal specialists with knowledge of eDiscovery platforms, such as Relativity and Capterra. As evidenced by legal employers increasingly requesting that candidates produce a writing sample along with their resume, it is clear that legal specialists must have excellent writing skills.
What skills will help Legal Assistants earn the most?
Richard Olivieri: Proficiency in technology and excellent writing skills are the two skills that will likely result in higher earnings for legal specialists.
Chad Smith
Director of Legal ProgramsCatholic University of America
Legal Research And Advanced Professional Studies
What skills stand out on Legal Assistant resumes?
Chad Smith: Skills that stand out are those that point directly to a professor's ability to teach, present, and explain. Multifaceted. Personable. Memorable. So, I generally look for public speaking experience, trial experience, excellent communication, writing, and legal research skills.
Chad Smith
Director of Legal ProgramsCatholic University of America
Legal Research And Advanced Professional Studies
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Legal Assistant job market given the pandemic?
Chad Smith: I would have to say the biggest trend is working from home, specifically, telecommuting. As we are all well aware, much of the country has turned to working from home, and this has led to a significant increase in the use of video conferencing platforms, such as Zoom and the greater use of Cloud Services (Google Drive, One Drive, etc.), to share documents. In turn, this is leveraging everyone's computer skills. It is more important than ever to be tech-savvy and possess the ability to troubleshoot technology issues.
The second biggest trend is an emphasis on communication. As mentioned, we are more digital than ever, so it is imperative that paralegals have good verbal and written communication skills. These skills need to be multifaceted and adaptable to the need/situation (i.e., email, legal pleading, client letter, Zoom/virtual meetings, etc.)
What skills stand out on Legal Assistant resumes?
Chad Smith: Paralegal's skills that stand out in the current market:
-Experience with technology, online platforms, and digital/online research (Westlaw, Lexis, Bloomberg Law)
-Telework/telecommuting, e-discovery and cloud computing/services, and document creation and formatting
-Communication/writing skills, specifically, the ability to understand the law and communicate legal matters effectively for court, layman clients, and attorneys
-The ability to write effective legal documents that are clear, concise, and complete
-Organization, efficiency, time management, and case management
I definitely emphasize the requirement of computer skills, as I personally would not hire any paralegal who is not very competent and comfortable working digitally. Additionally, case management and the ability to juggle many cases at a time is extremely important. It definitely stands out when a paralegal has experience managing a large caseload and can produce quality legal pleadings in a very efficient manner.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Legal Assistants to find work opportunities?
Chad Smith: Yes. The paralegal job market is growing. The DC/DMV area is in the top five of the country for salary and is the largest paralegal market in the U.S. This is because we have an increased demand for paralegals as we have private firms, federal, state, and local governments. Additionally, there is a major trend in the legal industry with private firms who are transitioning to having fewer attorneys and more paralegals; thus, increasing the demand for competent paralegals.
What soft skills should all Legal Assistants possess?
Traci Dingle Ph.D.: Important soft skills include emotional intelligence and attention to detail. Working in the legal field, you may interact with attorneys, clients, or the public during stressful times. Accordingly, it is crucial to have self-awareness to be able to understand and control your emotions. It is also essential to gauge the feelings of others to provide the needed resources to support them and to show empathy, as working through the legal process may be emotional for some. Lastly, it is vital to exercise attention to detail when drafting documents or when talking with clients, as errors or not remembering important information about the client may imply that you or the office does not care about the client. Remember, you are a representative of the office, and your actions also reflect back on your colleagues.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Legal Assistants?
Traci Dingle Ph.D.: The most essential hard or technical skills needed for Legal Specialists are computer skills. Learning or improving on these capabilities through formal training, certifications, or even free online courses is wise if you are unfamiliar with trending programs or suites. COVID-19 has shown how essential it is to have technological skills since traditional workspaces have shifted into working from your home space.
What skills will help Legal Assistants earn the most?
Traci Dingle Ph.D.: Skills that will help you earn the most include effective communication, time management, and open-mindedness. It is essential to continue to improve your oral and written communication skills. Communication includes interpersonal communication, small-group communication, and intercultural communication. In addition, time management is vital to allow time to review documents before submitting them to the courts or to your boss. Being open-minded means being open to positive feedback and to criticism. Try not to take criticisms personally, but as a learning experience for overall improvement.
What skills stand out on Legal Assistant resumes?
Traci Dingle Ph.D.: Skills that stand out on a Legal Specialist's resume include legal research and writing, analytical and logical skills, and time management. Prior experience with legal research and writing tells your future employer that you know or are familiar with the research and writing process. Moreover, it would be helpful to be familiar with at least one legal database, like Westlaw or LexisNexis. Analytical and logical skills warrant that you may reasonably use critical thinking and reasoning to solve problems that may arise in your day-to-day operations. Lastly, demonstrated skills in time management imply you can multi-task, prioritize, and meet deadlines while producing quality work.
What soft skills should all Legal Assistants possess?
Regina Graziani: Soft skills can be referred to in generic groups: employability skills, interpersonal skills, transferable skills, and people skills. Some of these skills overlap with technical skills. The five most important soft skills for a successful legal professional are organization, communication (written and oral), the ability to multitask, continuously pay attention to detail, and the ability to work as part of a team. Of course, skills such as being professional, pleasant, and punctual are important, as well.
What skills will help Legal Assistants earn the most?
Regina Graziani: Much of this answer depends on the practice area. Knowing the technology, processes, and the ability to research the law in a particular area of law are extremely important. Also important are professionalism, the ability to work independently and anticipate what is needed, always seeking to learn more and streamline processes, and is conscientious about their work.
What soft skills should all Legal Assistants possess?
Mark Wojcik: New lawyers need to have good communication skills. Even in an age of Zoom meetings, new lawyers have to be able to pick up a phone and be comfortable having a phone conversation. Law firm partners tell me that their associates know how to text someone but they don't know how to call someone. If you're a law student or new lawyer and you recognize that you're uncomfortable making phone calls, pick up a phone and practice!
When lawyers do text or email, it's important to read that message before you hit send. You might be surprised, for example, to see that AutoCorrect changed the name of your client. Read that message before you click send. And if you can't read it, why should anyone else?
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Legal Assistant job market given the pandemic?
Brian Kohlhepp: I think that many folks have taken advantage of workplace flexibility and have sought additional education. This increased enrollment in Master's degree as well as post-graduate certificate programs.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Legal Assistants?
Brian Kohlhepp: Largely, this would be acquiring a Master's degree. Many folks obtain this degree for an advancement at their current employer or in order to make themselves a more attractive candidate to the overall job field.
What soft skills should all Legal Assistants possess?
Bram Elias: So much of legal work is research, analysis and writing - so any job that involves learning new things and synthesizing what you've learned into a written final product is helpful, especially if you have to get work done on tight deadlines. Journalism is great. Advocating on behalf of others is great. Policy advocacy, politics, non-profit work - all great. Doing something you care about. For folks who haven't had any exposure to lawyers in their life, it can be useful to have some time seeing what lawyers really do all day so you know what you're getting into - so working as a paralegal, an investigator for lawyers, a translator for lawyers, or for a court system - all great. Really, any job at all is great, as long as it's a job you care about and want to do well. And no job at all is fine too! The most important thing is knowing why you want to go to law school in the first place.
What will help Legal Assistants increase their earning potential?
Bram Elias: Building good professional networks always helps. The best way to do that is to make friends and be a good colleague to your fellow law students. The main reason to do that is because it is the decent and pleasant thing to do - but I guess it's nice to know that not being a jerk is a good career strategy, too.
How have salaries changed over time for Legal Assistants?
Vanessa Johnson: Generally, I think that human resources salaries mirror the broader market, varying based on location, industry, and specialization. The growth in pay is lower in industries that have been hit hard by the pandemic. However, I think the move to more remote work will result in increased demand for, and therefore the salaries of, compensation specialists. Companies will probably adjust their pay strategies and practices to respond to these changes.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Legal Assistants?
Robert Birrenkott: I think there will be enduring impacts of the pandemic on recent law graduates entering the legal profession in 2021. The pandemic forced nearly every segment of the legal sector to adopt technological solutions at the exact same time. Whether it was courts allowing parties to appear by video platforms, law offices transitioning to work from home arrangements, or client meetings that used to take place in person now occurring virtually, the vast majority of the legal profession simultaneously made these adjustments.
As a result, I think the legal industry collectively has become more accepting of these platforms and realized that there can be increases in efficiency without adversely impacting the delivery of legal services. So, while I think these changes were forced by the pandemic, the legal profession will elect to retain them, and in that sense, the pandemic will create an enduring impact on recent graduates. These changes may afford more flexibility for recent graduates in terms of working from home, but if this is the case, it may also make it more difficult for recent graduates to build relationships with others within their organizations.
What's a day at work look like for a Legal Assistant?
Robert Birrenkott: I think the very nature of what it means to be "at work" is currently up for consideration. Before the pandemic, there would have been a very clear understanding of what this meant. Now, this is more open for debate. Lawyers have realized that their work can be done in a remote fashion in a manner that may reduce costs and increase productivity. I would not be surprised if a segment of recent graduates were "at work" despite not leaving their home.
What will help Legal Assistants increase their earning potential?
Robert Birrenkott: First, recent graduates should be prepared to work hard and demonstrate the ability to deliver a high quality product. In a law firm setting, a recent graduate's "client" is likely to be an internal lawyer with more seniority, and it is important to demonstrate to your client the ability to provide outstanding service and produce outstanding work. Second, seek out more established associates at the firm with stellar reputations, and learn how they were able to advance so you can follow in their footsteps.
Third, begin to strengthen client development skills and identify outside organizations to become involved in. While there is not an expectation that you will bring in new business in the early stage of your career, that does not mean recent graduates should ignore beginning to develop skills in this arena... begin to cultivate relationships that will develop over time. Fourth, take care of yourself and be patient. There is a steep learning curve for recent graduates, so be kind to yourself, develop good habits, and keep the big picture in mind as you begin your legal career.
Peter Towne
Assistant Director of Career Services and Pro Bono CoordinatorNew England Law | Boston
Career Services Department
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Legal Assistant job market given the pandemic?
Peter Towne: The legal world has been fortunate in not being hit as hard by the pandemic as other sectors of the economy. As with others though, we've seen a big shift towards remote work and increased flexibility in the workplace location. Thankfully, even now with many courthouses shifting to remote hearings and appearances for the time being, the past year has proven that most legal work can be done in a remote capacity and so there are still jobs and opportunity to be had. A silver lining here as well is that anything that was litigation based and had significant slowdowns due to the initial shutdown, will still likely see consistent work increases moving forward due to the now mounting backlog in the court system that will keep litigators busy for years to come.
Also, we are likely to see other upward shifts in legal work similar to other economic down turns, as there tends to be an uptick in the kinds of legal work that helps sort out the challenges faced when things go poorly. In other words, any areas where there are widespread economic challenges, the fallout tends to create legal work. For example, we'll likely see increases in bankruptcy filings, mortgage/foreclosure related litigation, evictions/housing disputes, issues around unemployment benefits, and general consumer protection actions related to consumer debt and predatory lending practices. Interestingly, despite the challenges of the pandemic, another area that has seen consistent work is real estate, resulting from the positive impact of lower borrowing costs, and perhaps some urban flight. There also is likely to be a continued uptick in divorce filings and family law related disputes.
Long term there will inevitably be other unique or novel challenges that crop up that attorneys will be called in to assist with as a result of the current crisis. Some of these may be related to contract disputes in the entertainment industry or event planning, as well as possible changes in the insurance landscape relating to business interruption insurance, workers compensation coverage, or health insurance issues.
What technical skills for a Legal Assistant stand out to employers?
Peter Towne: In a typical law office or other legal setting, technical skills aren't the biggest priority as much of the work in the legal world was still highly analog prior to 2020. Overall, the expectations are set fairly low in this category for legal practitioners as a result, but there is a certain amount of basic skill that is assumed in using software for word processing, spreadsheets, and presentations. The past year has created some opportunity for those that are skilled in a virtual setting, i.e. using video conferencing or knowing how to file documents electronically, to stand out.
I would encourage any law student to take advantage of the various opportunities in law school to learn as much as they can about using legal research platforms, including certifications offered by Lexis and Westlaw. Though it can be difficult to predict what methods a legal employer will use for this part of the job, the skills are easily transferrable. In a similar way, familiarity with practice management, billing, or administrative software can be an advantage. It may not be a "need to have" for a candidate to get a great job, but certainly a "nice to have" that can help boost a candidates profile.
What's a good job out of college for Legal Assistants?
Peter Towne: Out of law school, a good job can look very different depending on each person's interests and aspirations. That being said, generally a good job is one in legal practice, i.e. requires bar passage a license to practice law, or a position that requires a level of skill or knowledge that having a juris doctor degree provides an advantage, such as in compliance, regulatory affairs, corporate governance, data privacy/security, HR, or risk management.
Marco Cercone
Adjunct Professor of Litigation, Advanced Litigation and Contract LawDaemen College
Paralegal Studies program
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Legal Assistant job market given the pandemic?
Marco Cercone: Flexibility. Clients, law firms, and their staffs all are changing the way business was done. Remote working, Zoom meetings, knowledge of technology will be paramount.
What general advice would you give to a Legal Assistant?
Marco Cercone: Be aware that no task is beneath you and the more value you can provide to your law firm, the more invaluable you become to the organization. Sometimes you may not be hired immediately as a paralegal but you can work your way toward becoming one by starting off at the law firm in a support role, like filing, reception, secretarial, etc.
What Legal Assistant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Marco Cercone: Focus on their writing and communication skills.
Margaret Phillips
Associate Professor, Director of Paralegal StudiesDaemen College
Paralegal Studies program
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Legal Assistant job market given the pandemic?
Margaret Phillips: Given the national and local need for paralegals, I think we will continue to see a high need for well-educated paralegals who can take on a substantial role in a legal office. I expect to see a change in how paralegals work, which mirrors how we as a country have been working for the last year--more hybrid arrangements and working from home.
What Legal Assistant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Margaret Phillips: I would suggest a graduate gets certified in Microsoft Word as up-to-date and sophisticated computer skills are invaluable. Any additional law office computer skills would be equally invaluable. There are many online technology courses that are excellent.
What general advice would you give to a Legal Assistant?
Margaret Phillips: For graduates beginning their career--I would advise them to strap on their seatbelts and get ready to be a life-long learner. Remember to value principles over personalities, and keep learning everyday through reading, asking questions, and pursuing continuing legal education.
Eric Sader
Lecturer, Kelley School of BusinessIndiana University Bloomington
Department of Business Law & Ethics
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Legal Assistants?
Eric Sader: Current graduates are survivors of collective trauma. Interestingly, however, this trauma for many of our graduates has resulted in increased resiliency, which can be a huge asset to future employers. These students were able to obtain positive academic outcomes despite exposure to challenging circumstances. They are flexible, pragmatic, and optimistic despite circumstances that would have preferred them fail.
They moreover carry with them the story and communal bond from this shared experience that will result in ongoing workplace comradery. But beyond their own skills, the pandemic has altered expectations students have of their employers. There are obvious factors such as remote work that our students will come to expect as an option, but more broadly students have better realized what they value in life and will expect employers to foster family, safety, and time among other accommodations that employers historically have been reluctant to provide.
What type of skills will young Legal Assistants need?
Eric Sader: The emphasis on high-level interpersonal skills is expected to continue. More than ever, graduates need to expect the unexpected in a turbulent and changing world. Those employees who best have exemplified leadership, active listening, patience, flexibility, and responsibility during recent months are assuredly ones management will look to for future promotions and advancement opportunities. Absolutely, technology is more important than ever, but what is it about personalities that we often see as "tech-savvy"? Sure, it helps to have grown up in the Internet age, but more broadly these personalities are often those who crave learning and new experiences, who are willing and eager to adapt to new modalities. And these traits are not limited to students of any age, with rewards far beyond the keyboard.
What experience really stands out on Legal Assistant resumes?
Eric Sader: Top resumes have altered over time from description-based to action-based to accomplishment-based. In short, don't tell me what you were assigned to do in any given role. That would be the same for anyone who held that position. Instead, tell me what made you shine in that capacity! What impact did you make and how can you explain that impact in a way I can measure it in reading through your resume? Tell me what that accomplishment has to say about you as a person who possesses a skill or attribute that can be put to work in my own organization. Explain in short what were you most proud of from every resume line item you decide to include.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Legal Assistant job market given the pandemic?
Roger Hartley Ph.D.: There are two or more possibly offsetting trends in the government job market. On the one hand, a huge portion of the public service employment sector is retiring. This means big needs by governments at the federal, state and local level, but also unusual pressure, too. Some government leaders no longer have the opportunity to "groom" an employee for leadership. As boomers leave and turnover happens, the middle of the workforce has to move up fast. They need more education and skills that can be provided by universities or certificates and in-house training. Then those positions will become available to entry-level employees.
At the same time, the pandemic has hit the budgets of governments hard, and this means that while there is a huge need for new hires, because of turnover, there may be budget pressure that limits hiring. Therefore, public service efficiency and effectiveness could be jeopardized.
Last, consider that some technical fields have more attractive pay in industry or that some people leave after two years. Governments must not only face succession but also face the need to hold onto employees.
What skills stand out on Legal Assistant resumes?
Roger Hartley Ph.D.: Experience. For me, our recent graduates need to find a way to get experience through internships, if they do not have work experience. Also, exposure to professional work culture and the ability to communicate effectively, in writing and speaking, is important.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Legal Assistants to find work opportunities?
Roger Hartley Ph.D.: The work shortage and the need for federal, local, and state government are high all over the nation. The concern now is if budget pressures delay the ability to hire.
Patrick Webb Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorSaint Augustine's University
Department of Criminal Justice
What general advice would you give to a Legal Assistant?
Patrick Webb Ph.D.: The advice I offer to individuals (regardless of their status) is to 1) assume individual responsibility as a professional within the workplace environment, 2) continue to further your knowledgebase by developing the habit of reading (this includes topics centered around professional and personal growth), 3) commit to becoming an advocate for the truth, especially in the lives of those who are less fortunate than you are, and 4) prioritize relationships over resources.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Legal Assistant job market given the pandemic?
Tony Waller: Employers are being more deliberate with recruiting efforts, though in the legal market, it appears many firms are applying lessons learned from the Great Recession to recruiting. As always, students who have built a strong network and are active seekers will have the most success. I suspect there will also be a growth in remote working arrangements.
What general advice would you give to a Legal Assistant?
Tony Waller: Become known as the person in your office or company that is willing to do and learn. Within reason, do not consider any task "below" your job title. At the same time, set goals for the types of projects you would like to have during the first three years of practice and do what you can to meet those goals.
What Legal Assistant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Tony Waller: Develop client service skills. Any job that allows a student the opportunity to work for and with others, especially if it requires multi-tasking and high attention to detail, is valuable. Enhance networking skills by remaining active in local bar associations.