Job Responsibilities
I am responsible for:
- typing correspondence from dictation (40% of my time)
- faxing and photocopying (10% of my time)
- answering phones (less than 1%)
- filing court documents (1%)
- drafting court documents such as Affidavits, Notices of
Objection, Replies (30%)
- attending meetings (1%)
- attending training and seminars (2%)
- scheduling meetings, court dates
- organizing material and files
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Job Requirements
I took a community college program that was the equivalent of a 2
year diploman program. It was not difficult to be accepted,
although the workload was fairly strenuous. The teachers were
lawyers and were fairly demanding but not overly so. The class
quality was good.
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Uppers
Reasonable hours of work (basic office hours), decent pay, nice environment,
room for advancement and many potential employers and areas of specialization
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Downers
Office politics are the largest negative, but also some employers
don't pay very well or the environment can be very demeaning.
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Lifestyle
Generally work 9-5 type of hours, not many legal assistants travel, although if
you work up to a paralegal position there may be more opportunity for travel. I
work for government and there are many social events and opportunities. Dress is
generally business casual. Not a lot of diversity although government employers
are making steps toward it.
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Compensation
I make $45,000.00 per year, average benefits are available
including free dental. Generally no bonuses or stock options but
in govt there is a lot of paid time off (I have 3 weeks holidays,
sick days, a personal day, a volunteer day, 5 family days per year
and we are allowed to work on a compressed work week).
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Advice to Jobseekers
This can be a very interesting and stable field to work in. There
are many opportunities for a motivated individual and the future
outlook is stable.
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