How to Become a Legal Assistant

Becoming a legal assistant in Canada requires education in legal studies, practical experience in legal environments, and the development of specialized skills. 

Each step you take along the way – from learning legal terminology to understanding office procedures and legal software – prepares you to support legal professionals on a day-to-day basis. But before we get into the exact steps you need to take, let’s clarify what exactly a legal assistant does and why this role is essential to legal operations. 

Here’s what you need to know…

Listen to: How to Become a Legal Assistant

What is a Legal Assistant?

Legal assistants play a crucial role in law offices, handling administrative tasks and client services to keep operations running on track and on time. When you contact a law firm, they’re often the person who answers your calls, schedules appointments, and keeps you updated on your case. 

Their day-to-day work includes organizing documents, conducting legal research, and preparing case materials. For instance, they might research cases to support an attorney’s argument, prepare court filings, or coordinate schedules with witnesses. 

As a legal assistant, you have the opportunity to work in diverse locations, from law firms and corporate offices to courts and government agencies. Their work also spans across every industry, dealing with real estate transactions, insurance claims, and loan paperwork. Their work helps legal teams address client needs efficiently and to the best of their abilities.

Steps to Become a Legal Assistant

Now that you understand what a legal assistant does, let’s explore how you can join them in this important work. Follow these step-by-step guidelines to become a legal assistant through education, skill building, and hands-on experience…

Step 1. Legal Assistant Qualifications

1. Pursue the Right Education: 

Christina B., a graduate of the Professional Legal Assistant program at Sundance College emphasizes the impact of education on achieving career goals: 
“The support from instructors and the program’s depth prepared me for my dream job as a legal assistant to the Crown prosecutor with the Government of Alberta.”

The first step to becoming a legal assistant is earning a diploma. A specialized Legal Assistant diploma program equips you with the essential legal skills- legal terminology, office software, and standard legal procedures that employers in the legal field value. With this career-focused training, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge and tools to support legal professionals in their everyday tasks. 

2. Gain Practical Experience: 

Experience in professional legal environments, such as law offices or legal departments, is highly valued by employers. A practicum, included in some diploma programs, provides a structured way to gain this experience. It allows you to apply your knowledge in work settings while developing skills like organizing case files, assisting clients, and managing office operations. 

Step 2. Skills Required to Become a Legal Assistant

To succeed as a legal assistant, you’ll need a strong set of skills in legal procedures, research, and office management. Let’s take a closer look at these essential legal assistant skills: 

• Legal Office Procedures 
  Understand processes in litigation, family law, real estate, and corporate law, including electronic filing systems. 
• Legal Terminology
  Understand common legal terms to read, write, and interpret documents like trial briefs, living wills, and subpoenas. 
• Legal Research Skills 
  Learn to analyze legal documents, statutes, and case law, with a focus on accurate citation techniques.
  Christina highlights, “Through my Legal Assistant program, I gained hands-on experience in conducting legal research and writing.” 
• Legal Software 
  Familiarize yourself with tools used for organizing legal documents and preparing cases.
• Transcription Skills 
  Typing quickly and accurately, often between 50 to 100 words per minute, while maintaining proper grammar and spelling is essential for drafting legal documents. 
• Confidentiality 
  Handling sensitive client information requires professionalism and discretion. Legal assistants must protect all confidential details and ensure information is only disclosed when appropriate and necessary. 

As you progress through your Legal Assistant diploma studies, you’ll gain these legal skills and competencies, as well as hands-on experience in real-world legal settings. 

Step 3: Job Search for Legal Assistant Roles

With your diploma and skills in hand, it’s time to find your ideal legal assistant role. This can be started during your Legal Assistant diploma studies, with the help of a good career services team. 

When beginning your job search, start by creating a standout resume, leveraging your new network of classmates and instructors, and focusing on high-demand locations:  

1. Create a Standout Resume
   Highlight your education, practicum experience, and specialized skills like legal software proficiency and research abilities. Write your resume to align with the specific requirements of each role.  
2. Leverage Networking Opportunities
   Build your network by attending legal industry events, joining associations like the Alberta Association of Professional Paralegals, and engaging with professionals during your practicum for job leads. 
3. Search Strategically
   Use online job boards, browse company websites, and focus on regions with strong demand for legal assistants. 

By following these steps, you’ll be well-prepared to approach the job market and secure opportunities in the legal field. 

Legal Assistant Average Salary and Job Outlook

In Canada, legal assistants earn up to $72,289 annually. Your salary will be influenced by factors like education, location, and workplace.  

Provinces such as Ontario and Quebec generally offer higher salaries, and larger law firms typically provide better compensation than smaller ones. 

Christina emphasizes the impact of education on achieving career goals:  

“The support from instructors and the program’s depth prepared me for my dream job as a legal assistant to the Crown prosecutor with the Government of Alberta.” 

Demand for legal assistants is estimated to grow, with an estimated 18,000 new job openings by 2031, offering both stability and room for career growth.

How a Career College Can Help You Succeed

Becoming a legal assistant requires specialized education, skill-building, and preparation to enter the job market.  

Sundance College’s Professional Legal Assistant Diploma program provides focused training in key areas of law, including civil litigation, family law, and real estate law. You’ll develop knowledge in legal research, document preparation, and office procedures to meet the demands of the field. 

The program also includes a 5-week practicum, allowing you to apply your knowledge in a professional legal environment.  

Christina shares, “I got excellent education support at Sundance College, and the instructors were top tier.” 

To further support your success, Sundance College provides guidance through Career Services.  

As Tim Harrison, Assistant Education Manager of Career Services, explains: 

“We support students throughout their journey with resumes, interview preparation, and job search strategies to ensure they’re job ready.” 

Take the first step toward your legal assistant career by connecting with an admissions advisor today.