Responsibilities and Duties of a Senior Legal Assistant
The role of a senior legal assistant is both expansive and nuanced, carrying with it a wide array of responsibilities that not only support the everyday workings of a law firm but also contribute to the overall success of legal proceedings. From document preparation through client communication to legal research, a senior legal assistant is responsible for a broad spectrum of tasks that help to keep law firms moving toward success.
Senior legal assistants take on many of the responsibilities of paralegals, without the same level of education and practical training. Much of their work surrounds the drafting of legal documents such as pre-trial briefs, motions and pleadings. They strategize and draft these documents before sending them to an attorney for review. The legal writing process can then continue, as a senior legal assistant researches and develops legal arguments and clients claims to include in a written document. From contracts to pleadings and applications, senior legal assistants have the skill to support their legal team on a multitude of legal writing projects.
Client communication and service are critical areas for a senior legal assistant. This individual often acts as the point of contact between clients, prospective clients and attorneys at the firm. As such, senior legal assistants must possess strong communication skills and have the ability to handle a wide range of client questions. Senior legal assistants also aid in the development of a firm’s case-management system, which includes the organization of files, accounting and preparation of documents. They also manage the filing of pleadings and briefs with the court. These individuals frequently assist attorneys with their time-keeping and billing functions to ensure compliance with legal regulations and procedures . Furthermore, senior legal assistants are responsible for the drafting of correspondence to other attorneys, clients and various courts or government agencies.
As part of preparing for cases and clients matters, a senior legal assistant is responsible for performing legal research. In this field, experience is everything – and that’s exactly what a senior legal assistant brings to the table. Their experience can inform risk analysis, the evaluation of issues or even debates over the law. A senior legal assistant’s understanding of the law and their mastery of legal resources can help them perform a variety of tasks. This research is then translated into valuable legal documents for the firm’s use, while also providing effective solutions to meet a client’s needs.
Senior legal assistants undertake all tasks the firm needs to successfully navigate the business of law. In this capacity, they are directly integrated into the day-to-day practices of legal functions at the firm, alongside attorneys. And like attorneys, senior legal assistants must also adapt to the stressful, deadline-driven environment of a law firm, completing work under pressure. Depending on where they work, senior legal assistants may also act as managers or trainers, assisting entry-level legal assistants in navigating their new role for optimal success.
If you ask a senior legal assistant, he or she may tell you that the stress and environment are some of the best parts of the job. This is because these individuals answer challenges and solve problems, no matter the circumstances. To be successful within this role, regardless of the setting, a senior legal assistant must have highly-developed people skills, keen judgment and strong moral compass. Additionally, these legal pros are able to incorporate strategic thinking into every task. For a senior legal assistant, law is all about anticipation and cover-all possibilities – after all, that’s how they survive.
Necessary Skills for a Senior Legal Assistant
To become a senior legal assistant, you must develop a skill set that goes beyond the foundational knowledge taught in paralegal studies programs. The following key skills are essential to your career development in this demanding role.
Legal Research Skills
Clients expect you to identify relevant statutes, regulations, and case laws to solve their problems. Therefore, you must master the research techniques introduced in your undergraduate program. A thorough understanding of common legal terminologies and research methodologies is crucial. Online search strategies are constantly evolving; stay on top of these frequent changes to provide comprehensive service to your clients.
Document Drafting Skills
Drafting legal documents is an important aspect of your work as a legal assistant. Your job requires a keen attention to detail, as you need to capture the specific legal language required for various documents. For example, court applications must follow a specific structure, filed within strict time limits, and include particular information. You must possess both a strong command of grammar and the ability to communicate your information clearly.
Communication Skills
You can anticipate frequent communication with different stakeholders in your role. Internally, you may work with your lawyers, supervisorial staff, and other legal assistants. Externally, you’ll likely deal with clients, court administrators, and opposing counsel. Each group requires a tailored communication style, so you must be able to quickly adapt to the needs of your audience.
Silo vs. Holistic Approach
Some law firms expect their legal assistants to take a siloed approach; that is, you perform singular tasks assigned by the legal staff. Others take a more holistic, team approach, expecting their legal assistants to pick up the slack wherever needed. Research your prospective law firm’s approach to determine if it’s the right fit for you.
Career Development and Opportunities for a Senior Legal Assistant
For a senior legal assistant, the career path often involves taking on more responsibilities and gaining specialized expertise. Many advanced law practices offer the opportunity for senior legal assistants to work as case managers, paralegal supervisors, and paralegal managers. This may include supervising staff members, assisting clients with more complex legal inquiries, and becoming experts in a specific area of law or litigation.
Senior legal assistants also have the option to pursue a bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies to advance their career. This is required for some positions. It is also highly suggested that they remain current on industry certifications such as the NALA Certified Paralegal (CP) designation. Senior legal assistants may continue their education by attending seminars and workshops, pursuing advanced certifications, enrolling in paralegal/remote courses, and completing accreditation programs.
Any of these degree, training, or certification programs will prepare individuals for specialized areas such as federal courts, intellectual property, business and commercial law, labor and employment, and divorce and child custody management.
Educational Requirements and Certification for a Senior Legal Assistant
In order to become a senior legal assistant, a paralegal must possess a legal assistant degree or certification. Most personnel offices require a bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies. A senior legal assistant must be able to perform complicated legal tasks with little supervision. The standard background for paralegals and senior legal assistants is a combination of education and certification. Many online schools offer these programs. Senior legal assistants can earn a four-year degree in paralegal studies offered by a limited number of colleges.
To advance professional status, paralegals can also obtain a certification, like the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) CP designation. This certification requires that practicing paralegals pass a general knowledge exam in areas like ethics , and specialist exams to gain the Certified Paralegal designation. Paralegals can become specialists in topics like family law, which comes with another certification, the Certified Family Law Specialist.
The Canadian Association of Legal Assistants offers the equivalent, the IPP, standing for Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council.
NALA also offers specialty certifications in areas including bankruptcy, family law, litigation, intellectual property, and real estate. Like other professional paralegal certifications, these are valid for two years and involve continuing legal education requirements.
An alternative route to advance professional standing is a degree in business management offered by numerous colleges. Most of these programs require an internship and a passing score on the Certified Manager exam. Additionally, some community colleges offer online courses for the certification as a Legal Assistant.
Challenges and Benefits of a Career as a Senior Legal Assistant
As with any role in the legal sector, the position of the senior legal assistant comes with a unique set of challenges and rewards. Perhaps most challenging is the fact that a senior legal assistant is often tasked with a number of complex and high-value tasks that are crucial to the outcome of a case. This may include drafting complicated legal documents, dealing with sensitive information or making complex legal arrangements for those high-profile cases.
In addition to their complex assignments, senior legal assistants also have to deal with the greater workload this level of work involves. Some senior legal assistants may have to oversee or delegate tasks to a junior legal assistant, further adding to their complex workload and level of responsibility.
The time-based nature of the tasks involved in this role can be another challenge, with strict deadlines common in a position where helping the business to succeed is one of the main responsibilities. Along with these deadlines, senior legal assistants may feel the additional pressure of dealing directly with clients, or working with numerous outside agencies all at once.
Despite these challenges, the rewards of becoming a senior legal assistant are great for the lawyers who are lucky enough to have them. With a deep and abiding understanding of legal processes, senior legal assistants are highly trained, and their efforts can make a significant difference to the outcome of a case. Making such contributions can be incredibly satisfying.
Furthermore, many senior legal assistants operate on an ambitious level, and this may lead to a highly competitive legal team or department at the firm. The result is often an overall improved standard of quality amongst the rest of the legal support team, which can help to benefit everyone concerned.
Job Outlook and Salary for a Senior Legal Assistant
The job market for senior legal assistants generally aligns with the strength of the local legal economy. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in the legal profession has steadily increased over the past two decades. The number of legal occupations—comprising lawyers, paralegals, and paralegal and legal assistants—increased 19 percent from 1996 to 2016, with the largest portion of that growth attributable to increases in paralegals and legal assistants. The BLS predicts that from 2014 to 2024, employment growth in these occupations will be fueled by increased demand for legal services, particularly in law firms and corporate legal departments , as well as in other sectors of the economy.
The BLS also reports varying median annual wages for paralegals and legal assistants by industry, ranging from $65,650 paid by the federal executive branch to $51,230 paid by the legal services industry (which includes private law firms). As paralegals and legal assistants gradually perform more substantive legal work, including higher-level research and analysis, compensation responds accordingly. Senior legal assistants specializing in niche practices may also have additional opportunities to enhance their earnings. The BLS forecasts a 10 percent increase in demand for senior legal assistants from 2014 to 2024, and more sophisticated support roles will continue to evolve in the legal profession and allied fields.