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. Watch the video below to see what a legal administrative assistant does in a day.
Source: Estimated median employment income based on 2021 Job Bank median hourly wage rate (median annual salary = hourly wage rate x 40 (hours per week) x 52.14 (weeks per year))
Note:Estimated median employment income based on 2021 Job Bank median hourly wage rate (median annual salary = hourly wage rate x 40 (hours per week) x 52.14 (weeks per year))
Source: 2021 Job Bank Wage Report
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook
10 year expected job openings: 2,280
Legal administrative assistants:
Legal administrative assistants may also:
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.
Source: 2016 Census
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.
For more information about programs offered specifically for this career, visit EducationPlannerBC.
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 35 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. You’ll also find the skill strength needed, letting you know how capable you must be in that skill.
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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.
Career paths
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.
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