Why Legal Assistants Are More in Demand Than Ever in Canada (2025)

In 2025, job demand for legal assistants in Canada is on the rise as the legal profession experiences significant shifts. The emergence of new legal fields combined with a wave of retirements is leaving many law firms, corporations, and government agencies stretched thin. 

As caseloads grow more complex and regulatory requirements tighten, legal teams are under mounting pressure. That’s why skilled, full-time legal assistants are in high demand—to provide essential support with research, documentation, and client coordination when it’s needed most.

Listen to: Why Legal Assistants Are More in Demand Than Ever in Canada (2025)

Why Is There Such a Demand for Legal Assistants in Canada?

The demand for legal assistants didn’t happen overnight. Industry expansion, changes in the legal profession, and retirement are some of the key factors that have contributed. 

But how does each factor lead to more legal assistant job openings?

Growth of Canadian Law Firms

Canadian law firms are growing in response to increased demand for legal services across the country, particularly in areas like litigation, labour and employment, and regulatory compliance. Many legal firms are also moving into newer areas like technology, cannabis, and privacy law, which call for additional help from skilled legal assistants. 

This shift in focus has resulted in heavy caseloads, where lawyers are increasingly relying on the support of legal assistants to: 

• Draft and manage legal documentation under tight deadlines 
• Conduct research for complex and specialized cases 
• Coordinate with clients and third parties 
• Maintain compliance and prepare for regulatory filings 
• Support lawyers in taking on higher volumes of new types of work 

With legal work becoming more fast-paced, legal assistants are in higher demand than ever. In response to the legal market growth, 67% of Canadian firms are creating permanent legal support roles. 

Alberta, in particular, is outpacing national averages to meet rising demands, with 2.5% of legal assistant roles growing annually. Yet, 84% of employers struggle to find skilled legal talent, leaving legal assistants with the right training in a great position to enter the legal field. 

Changing Legal Profession

With growth comes change – and law firms need legal assistants to help them navigate these changes. Two recent developments stand out:  

The Shift to Hybrid & Remote Work 

With 42% of Canadian lawyers now working hybrid schedules and 20% fully remote, full-time legal assistants have become more crucial for managing e-filings, virtual calendars, and digital communications across teams. 

Rapid Digitalization of Workflows 

Technology has become the new norm in legal practice. Nearly 30% of firms plan to boost both staff support and legal tech investment. They recognize that skilled legal assistants are essential for implementing systems like document automation and AI-assisted research. 

These changes have resulted in legal assistants playing a more central role in how law firms operate. They’re the ones making sure new systems are adopted, virtual teams stay connected, and legal work continues without delays. Legal assistants aren’t just responding to the changes; in many firms, they’re driving them.

Demographic Shifts & Retirements

Did you know many openings in the legal field will soon come from legal assistant retirements, not just from growth? As senior legal assistants exit the workforce, positions are opening up. Law firms are quick to fill roles since their work directly affects the quality, speed, and accuracy of their legal services. Without legal assistants, a missed deadline, an incomplete document, or case delays from poor communication can result in financial penalties or even lost cases. 

With veteran legal assistants retiring faster than they can be replaced, now is the ideal time to enter the field.

Why Are Professional Legal Assistants So Valuable?

One of the most valuable members of any legal team is a legal assistant. Professional legal assistant skills are applicable to various workplaces like corporate firms, government and municipal departments. and real estate firms, to name a few. Here are a few ways a legal assistant adds value in the workplace: 

Keep Law Firms Efficient 

Every task you take on will contribute to the overall efficiency of the law firm. You’ll make it easier to find important information by organizing and maintaining accurate case files. By preparing legal documents in advance and staying on top of case-related tasks, you will help manage timelines better – which keeps workflows steady and on schedule.  

Controls Costs & Increases Profitability 

As a legal assistant, you’ll be a key contributor to a firm’s profitability. Your attention to detail and organizational skills in preparing documents like legal briefs, contracts, affidavits, and court pleadings, as well as tracking deadlines and managing cases will reduce costly errors and delays.  

Maintain Client Relationships 

Maintaining strong client relationships will be key to building trust and supporting the firm’s reputation. As a key point of contact, you’ll help ease client stress by keeping them informed, answering questions promptly, and following up when needed. While returning calls or emails quickly, you’ll be the one to help translate legal jargon in a way clients can understand. In turn, it leaves clients feeling supported and leads to repeat business through client retention. 

Upholds Accuracy & Compliance 

You’ll reduce legal risk by making sure legal documents are accurate, deadlines are met, and court procedures are followed correctly. By catching issues like incorrect clauses, missing signatures, and late filings, you’ll help prevent case dismissals, fines, or compliance problems.  

Helps Law Firms Adapt & Grow 

You’ll help law firms adapt and grow by using emerging tools like AI for legal research, cloud-based systems for case management, and virtual platforms for client meetings. These technologies allow firms to streamline operations, handle more complex cases, and serve clients more efficiently. By staying current with legal tech, you’ll directly support the firm’s ability to scale and stay competitive. 

From managing details to embracing innovation, what you do each day as a legal assistant keeps the firm efficient, compliant, and connected to its clients—proving that real value lies in the work done consistently each and every day.

How to Become a Legal Assistant & Its Career Benefits

Between 2024 and 2033, over 24,000 legal assistant jobs are expected to open across Canada – providing you with the opportunity to succeed in the legal field. Whether you want full-time employment or prefer the freedom of contract work, this career in law gives you options. From law firms to corporate offices to government agencies, you’ll have a stable path to build a career that fits your goals and interests. 

These are a few of the areas of law you can consider: 

• Real estate law: Help prepare documents for home purchases, mortgages, and land transfers.  
• Corporate law: Assist with contracts, maintain company records, and handle regulatory paperwork.   
• Family law: Support clients through emotional situations like divorce and custody by keeping sensitive cases organized.  

With the right training, you could earn up to $72,289 per year – making this one of the best high-paying jobs with short training in Canada. Diploma programs offer short, focused, post-secondary education that provides you with the necessary skills to enter the legal field quickly. 

Here’s how you can get started and what to look for in a Legal Assistant program: 

Choosing the Right Diploma Program

Choosing the right legal assistant training is an important step toward building a stable and flexible career. The right education signals to employers in law firms, corporations, and government agencies that you can quickly contribute to the team. When looking for the right program, look for these key factors: 

• Comprehensive Curriculum: Look for courses that introduce you to key areas of law – like civil litigation, corporate, family, and real estate law – these will give you a solid foundation to break into the legal field. 
• Practical Skills Training: A good program will make sure you gain proficiency in legal research, document preparation, legal software, and office procedures through hands-on projects and practicums. 
• Experienced Instructors: You want to learn from those who’ve worked in this industry first-hand. Look for programs that have seasoned legal professionals with real-world knowledge and workplace experience.  
• Practicum Placement: A program with a practicum placement included can help you apply your training in a real legal setting. This means you’ll graduate with not only the skills and knowledge you need to succeed in law, but with solid industry experience, too. When you enter the job market, this is exactly what will give you an edge compared to others with less experience.  
• Student Support: You want a program with the right support to help you succeed. For example, look for online learning options, lifetime access to career services, flexible study schedules, and learning tools like a laptop to help with your studies. 

By enrolling in Sundance College’s Professional Legal Assistant Diploma Program, you can position yourself for a successful career as a legal assistant.  

FAQ

1. What is a Legal Assistant?  

Legal assistants support lawyers by handling tasks like drafting legal documents, conducting research, and managing court filings. 

They work in areas such as family law, real estate, civil litigation, and corporate law. Legal assistants also use legal software to stay organized and complete work accurately and efficiently. 

Want to learn more about what legal assistants do? Check out our blog: What Is a Legal Assistant? 

2. What is the difference between a legal assistant and a paralegal?  

Both legal assistants and paralegals play essential roles in a legal team but contribute to them in different ways. Legal assistants focus on legal tasks like managing documents, tracking deadlines, and maintaining client relationships. Paralegals, on the other hand, support more complex work involving legal analysis and case development under the supervision of a lawyer. 

3. Is there a high demand for legal assistants in Canada?  

Yes! Legal assistants are in demand across Canada, with Alberta notably having strong prospects. With law firms growing, seasoned legal assistants retiring, and the adoption of new legal tech processes, legal assistants’ skills are more essential than before – making it an ideal time to enter the field. 

4. How long does it take to become a legal assistant?  

Not long! In under a year, you’ll gain practical legal knowledge, master key administrative skills, and complete a practicum in a real legal setting. This combination of job-ready training and hands-on experience means you can transition smoothly into entry-level roles like legal assistant or administrative support in a law firm, corporate legal team, or government office—without needing years of schooling. 

5. How much do legal assistants earn in Canada? 

In Canada, legal assistants have a high earning potential. While salaries can vary based on training, experience, location, and employer, your salary can reach as high as $72, 289.  

6. Is being a legal assistant a good career choice? 

Yes, it’s a stable, flexible career with good pay and strong long-term demand. You can work in different areas of law and build experience that can help boost your earning potential. If you’re organized, detail-oriented, and want to be a part of the legal field fast, this role could be a great fit for you.  

7. How can I start my career as a legal assistant? 

Start by completing a Professional Legal Assistant Program. It will teach you essential legal skills like legal research and writing, preparing legal documents, and communicating with clients. Furthermore, you’ll receive hands-on experience through a practicum – which will give you a competitive edge when applying for legal assistant roles.

Get Started!

Demand for legal assistant jobs is rising – and that means more opportunity for those with the right training. Sundance College’s Professional Legal Assistant Diploma prepares you for the job in under a year. Whether you’re aiming for quick employment or long-term career growth, you’ll graduate with the skills and experience needed to succeed. Connect with an admissions advisor today and start building your future in Canada’s legal field.