Legal Assistant Training Course, Other Qualifications, and Advancement

There are several ways to become a legal assistant. The most common is through a community college legal assistant program that leads to an associate’s degree. The other common method of entry, mainly for those who already have a college degree, is through a program that leads to a certification in legal assistant studies. A small number of schools also offer bachelor’s and master’s degrees in legal assistant studies. Some employers train legal assistants on the job, hiring college graduates with no legal experience or promoting experienced legal secretaries. Other entrants have experience in a technical field that is useful to law firms, such as a background in tax preparation for tax and estate practice or in criminal justice, nursing, or health administration for personal injury practice.

An estimated 1,000 colleges and universities, law schools, and proprietary schools offer formal legal assistant training programs. Approximately 260 legal assistant programs are approved by the American Bar Association (ABA). Although many programs do not require such approval, graduation from an ABA-approved program can enhance one’s employment opportunities. The requirements for admission to these programs vary. Some require certain college courses or a bachelor’s degree, others accept high school graduates or those with legal experience, and a few schools require standardized tests and personal interviews.

legal assistant programs include 2-year associate degree’s programs, 4-year bachelor’s degree programs, and certificate programs that can take only a few months to complete. Most certificate programs provide intensive and, in some cases, specialized legal assistant training for individuals who already hold college degrees, while associate’s and bachelor’s degree programs usually combine legal assistant training with courses in other academic subjects. The quality of legal assistant training programs varies; the better programs usually include job placement services. Programs generally offer courses introducing students to the legal applications of computers, including how to perform legal research on the Internet. Many legal assistant training programs also offer an internship in which students gain practical experience by working for several months in a private law firm, the office of a public defender or attorney general, a bank, a corporate legal department, a legal aid organization, or a government agency. Experience gained in internships is an asset when one is seeking a job after graduation. Prospective students should examine the experiences of recent graduates before enrolling in a legal assistant program.

Although most employers do not require certification, earning a voluntary certificate from a professional society may offer advantages in the labor market. The National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA), for example, has established standards for certification requiring various combinations of education and experience. legal assistants who meet these standards are eligible to take a 2-day examination, given three times each year at several regional testing centers. Those who pass this examination may use the Certified Legal Assistant (CLA) designation. The NALA also offers an advanced legal assistant certification for those who want to specialize in other areas of the law. In addition, the legal assistant Advanced Competency Exam, administered through the National Federation of legal assistant Associations, offers professional recognition to legal assistants with a bachelor’s degree and at least 2 years of experience. Those who pass this examination may use the Registered legal assistant (RP) designation.

legal assistants must be able to document and present their findings and opinions to their supervising attorney. They need to understand legal terminology and have good research and investigative skills. Familiarity with the operation and applications of computers in legal research and litigation support also is important. legal assistants should stay informed of new developments in the laws that affect their area of practice. Participation in continuing legal education seminars allows legal assistants to maintain and expand their knowledge of the law.

Because legal assistants frequently deal with the public, they should be courteous and uphold the ethical standards of the legal profession. The National Association of Legal Assistants, the National Federation of legal assistant Associations, and a few States have established ethical guidelines for legal assistants to follow.

legal assistants usually are given more responsibilities and require less supervision as they gain work experience. Experienced legal assistants who work in large law firms, corporate legal departments, or government agencies may supervise and delegate assignments to other legal assistants and clerical staff. Advancement opportunities also include promotion to managerial and other law-related positions within the firm or corporate legal department. However, some legal assistants find it easier to move to another law firm when seeking increased responsibility or advancement.

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