The specific tasks assigned to a legal assistant vary according to the area of practice.

• Litigation Legal Assistant: Litigation legal assistants interview witnesses, analyze and digest legal documents, investigate facts, perform legal and factual research, draft pleadings, legal memoranda and briefs, obtain and manage information to assist in trial preparation, assist at trial, and aid in preparing appeals.
• Probate Legal Assistant: A probate legal assistants' responsibilities could include interviewing clients, arranging for collection, valuing and transferring assets, administering estate accounts, analyzing the best treatment of assets and distributions to obtain the greatest tax benefit, and preparing tax returns.
• Corporate Legal Assistant: A corporate legal assistant is likely involved in drafting agreements and employee benefit plans, fulfilling securities reporting requirments, and conduction patent and trademark searches.
• Real Estate Legal Assistant: A real estate legal assistant could draft transaction documents, prepare for closings, and research title and administrative processes involved in land and environmental use.
• Government Legal Assistant: A government legal assistant can work for the Federal Trade Commission, the Justice Department, or even the White House. Depending on the agency or area of practice, government legal assistants perform a wide range of duties. For instance, collecting and evaluating evidence, conducting hearings, drafting proposed legislation, and answering inquiries about Federal laws and regulations.
• Legal Assistants in Legal Services Programs: Legal Assistants in legal services programs work as counselors or advocates. They may have total responsibility for obtaining benefits for their clients from government assistance. They often maintain their own caseloads and have total responsibility from the initial client interview through client representation at various administrative agency proceedings.

Skills you will need:

• Analytical Skills
• Organizational and administrative skills
• Interpersonal skills
• Research and writing skills

Salary

Depending on size of firm, location, and years of experience, a legal assistant can make between $20,250 (1 to 2 years of experience, small firm) to $46,000 (10 or more years of experience, large firm in Downtown Detroit Offices).
(Figures from the November 2000, Michigan Bar Journal)

Job Search