Minimum Wage for Legal Assistant

BLS attributes the planned increase to law firms` efforts to increase efficiency and keep costs as low as possible. Paralegals and paralegals are expected to take on more of the tasks previously performed by a legal secretary or junior lawyer. Note: Paralegals are not permitted to provide legal services directly to the public unless permitted by law. The Legal Education Society of Alberta (LESA) offers continuing education courses for paralegals. According to 2020 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), paralegals earn an average salary of $56,610 per year ($27.22 per hour). The average salary varies depending on the state you work in, the education you received, and the level of experience in the field. Starting salary in an entry-level position tends to be lower until you`ve gained a few years of experience and proven that you`re an indispensable member of a law firm. Learn more about what a paralegal does, including details about where paralegals usually work and the most common types of paralegal jobs. interest in compiling information on the maintenance of classification systems; and when reviewing documents and correspondence to ensure they comply with legal procedures and grammatical usage Alberta Association of Professional Paralegals website: www.alberta-paralegal.com prospective students should ask employers about the relevance and reputation of training programs before enrolling in a program.

Information on related 2-year degree programs can be found in the Paralegals` Professional Profile. In Alberta, 1242: Legal Administrative Assistants is expected to grow at an above-average annual rate of 2.3% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to the jobs created by the turnover, 172 new jobs are created annually in this occupational group. Legal assistants perform a variety of administrative tasks. They work in law firms, legal departments of large organizations, courts, court departments, real estate companies, insurance companies and land titles offices. Paralegals, also known as paralegals, assist lawyers with many different administrative tasks: preparing for trials, hearings, meetings, and closing arguments, drafting legal documents such as contracts, separation agreements, or mortgages, collecting legal articles or court decisions on a case, and much more. Legal assistants can work in many types of law firms, including criminal law, real estate, divorce, and assault. * Only the paralegal programs at Herzing University in New Orleans and Atlanta are approved by the American Bar Association (ABA). The Herzing Legal Studies program, offered online, is not approved by the ABA. In large organizations, experienced legal assistants can move into legal or supervisory positions. * All salary estimates are hourly rates unless otherwise noted. Wages and salaries do not include overtime, tips, benefits, profit-sharing, bonuses (regardless of output) and other forms of remuneration.

Tasks and responsibilities vary from organization to organization. Typically, paralegals prepare correspondence and legal documents. This includes trust documents, wills, mortgages, contracts, affidavits, affidavits, applications and pleadings. You use word processing, spreadsheet, database or presentation software. You can also attend courts or conferences to take notes, minutes and dictations. You can visit hospitals or dormitories to witness a client`s signature on documents. With experience, their duties and responsibilities may overlap with those of paralegals. Further information can be found in the Paralegal professional profile. Paralegals work in rapidly changing office environments. They usually work during regular business hours, but may need to work overtime to meet deadlines. Deadlines include, for example, real property completion dates and deadlines for filing and delivery of documents.

Herzing University exists to help you take the plunge and become possible. If you`re ready to go back to school and become a paralegal, consider our online paralegal program or our ABA-approved paralegal programs in New Orleans and Atlanta*. Graduates are eligible to take the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) Certified Paralegal Exam and obtain their Paralegal certification. In Alberta, 80% of those employed as legal assistants work in the professional, scientific and technical services industry (pdf). Employers need legal assistants who have computer skills. You need to have fast and accurate keyboard skills. The preferred typing speed is 80 words per minute. A post-secondary certificate or diploma in office management, internet skills, and knowledge of legal vocabulary are beneficial. The BLS predicts that the demand for paralegal and paralegal assistant jobs will increase by 12% between 2020 and 2030, which means the time is right to get a foot in the door. A legal assistant, also called a paralegal, works either with individual lawyers in a law firm or with legal teams.

He or she assists lawyers in their cases by researching, searching for documents and evidence, facilitating interviews, creating memos and providing other forms of support before and during the trial. One of the key roles of a legal assistant is to help lawyers prepare and prioritize evidence. A legal assistant usually has the task of. Read more How to switch from helpdesk/support to software developer Learn more about: compensation plans, risk of employee absconding, gender pay gap, job postings for this position Interest in talking to people to schedule appointments, meetings and conferences with employers; when opening and distributing regular and electronic mail and other documents; and coordinating the flow of information internally and with other departments and organizations; can supervise other employees in the Analyze the market and your qualifications procedures to negotiate your salary with confidence. Legal Education Society of Alberta (LESA) website: www.lesaonline.org Jobs with a salary range Similar to Legal Assistant: Junior High School Teacher, Motive Marker, Prison Administrator Get information and recommendations on careers, education and employment opportunities from Alberta Supports. The code of interest will help you determine if you want to work in a particular profession. It is based on the Canadian Directory of Work Preferences (CPIC), which measures 5 professional interests: direct, innovative, methodical, objective and social.