When thinking about the legal field, the first instinct is to turn towards the profession of lawyer. However, the world of law being vast and complex, several other roles must be filled for the proper functioning of the judicial process.
One of the key positions is undoubtedly that of a legal assistant . Indeed, thanks to their organizational skills, writing skills and human approach, the legal assistant is a major ally for the profession of lawyer, but also for the notary and the judge.
For those who are interested in the field of law, the role of a legal assistant can be much more interesting than you think.
See everything you need to know about the role of a legal assistant in the world of law.
What does a legal assistant do in Quebec?
In Quebec, the main role of the legal assistant is to assist other legal professionals (lawyer, notary, judge ...) in their daily functions in order to allow them to fulfill their tasks as quickly and efficiently as possible.
For example, he will be able to manage multiple files simultaneously and above all, he will be responsible for ensuring compliance with numerous deadlines in the legal world.
This will be particularly the case for the statute of limitations, but also all those related to the introductory request for action and the response . In many cases, failing to meet a deadline is, for the lawyer, associated with serious consequences for his career. Therefore, the legal assistant plays a very important role.
In addition, the legal assistant will, in many cases, be the first person who will have contact with clients and therefore, a human approach is strongly recommended for handling legal issues.
Also, it is possible that the assistant may have to write certain official documents that will be intended for the court. Therefore, he must be able to know all the rules of form and have quality writing.
| Attention! Even if the legal assistant may be required to draft legal documents such as notarial deeds, affidavits or wills, these documents must be verified by lawyers and notaries. This is due to the fact that the drafting of a legal document is a mandate reserved for these two legal professions . Therefore, one must be a member of the Quebec Bar or the Chamber of Notaries. |
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In addition to these main tasks, the legal assistant often has to handle secretarial tasks . This means that he/she will have to:
- Keep the lawyers' or notaries' agendas up to date,
- Draft letters for clients or other legal professionals, and
- Handle client reception and answer the phone.
Eventually, his/her job will also involve sending invoices to clients and handling reminders when they do not meet payment deadlines.
Where will legal assistants work?
If you are going to practice as a legal assistant, you will be able to work inseveral diverse work environments. In fact, thanks to its great versatility, the legal assistant could find himself/herself working:
- In a lawyer's office,
- In a notary's office, and
- In a bailiff's office.
Also, it will be possible for him/herto work with government services, in municipal administration, or even within a legal department of a private company. In short, many work environments are looking for a legal assistant to join their team.
When you work with lawyers, you should expect a work environment where the pressure can be high, especially when it comes time for a trial or if several files are delegated to you at the same time.
However, unlike the profession of lawyer, it is significantly easier to have a balanced life as well as a reasonable schedule when you are a legal assistant, even in large firms and major companies.
What are the qualities of a legal assistant?
Are you interested in a career as a legal assistant, but are you unsure if this job is right for you? In most cases, it is possible to identify certain important qualities for a good legal assistant.
First, the latter has a complete mastery of the French language and, sometimes, English. Since he will have to read and draft many documents, being comfortable with the language will be greatly useful in order to accomplish the tasks that are asked of him quickly.
Then, the legal assistant must be discreet and keep client information confidential. In the field of law, all interactions with clients require ruthless discretion from professionals.
Also, the latter must be very rigorous in their work. Due to the numerous formal rules and subtleties in law, the work of a legal assistant is undoubtedly a matter of precision and therefore, attention to detail is greatly required by employers.
Finally, the legal assistant must have an exceptional sense of organization. Since the latter is often paired with several lawyers, they will be responsible for ensuring the respect of deadlines for several files at the same time.
What is the salary of a legal assistant?
As in many other jobs, the salary of the legal assistant will greatly vary depending on several factors, including:
- His experience, and
- His place of employment.
Indeed, the legal assistant who works in a large firm and who has several years of experience will likely have a higher salary than if he worked in a new firm and it was his first year of work.
As for the new legal assistant who is starting his professional career, he can expect to receive a salary between $30,000 and $35,000 per year. However, it is possible to reach an annual salary of $45,000 after a few years of work.
It will be possible to expect this type of salary if you work for the government for example or in smaller law firms in Quebec.
However, for the legal assistant working in a large law firm, they can expect to receive a salary exceeding $60,000 once they have gained some experience.
| Important! In addition to the workplace and the experience of the legal assistant, it is possible that the salary may be affected by the region where the person works in Quebec. Indeed, legal assistants in Montreal receive, on average, a higher salary than other regions of Quebec. |
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Nevertheless, it is important to consider the work-family balance when choosing your work environment. Indeed, even if the salary is more attractive in large firms, it is very likely that you will have to work longer to achieve your goals.
How to become a legal assistant? The training to follow
First of all, if you wish to become a legal assistant, the first step is to obtain a vocational studies diploma (DEP) in secretarial work or have gained equivalent work experience in a similar field.
After obtaining this diploma, it will be necessary for the person aspiring to become a legal assistant to follow the necessary courses in order to obtain a vocational specialization certificate ( ASP) in legal secretarial work.
Normally, it is possible to complete this 450 hour training entirely online, and in less than 12 months.
Good to know! It is possible, in some law offices, that people who have completed the legal technician training can also apply to get the position of legal assistant.
In short, the profession of legal assistant allows you to actively participate in the world of law in Quebec and will be a fulfilling career. If you think this role suits you, the first step is to check if you meet all the necessary qualifications!