How to Be Executive Legal Assistant - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Dec 25, 2023 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

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When a company hires an executive legal assistant, they are investing in a resource that can have a significant impact on the organization. This position comes with a wide range of responsibilities, including providing legal advice and support to senior executives, managing legal projects, and helping with the preparation and review of legal documents. The executive legal assistant can help the organization save time and money by streamlining processes and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations.

Furthermore, the executive legal assistant can provide invaluable insight into business decisions and strategy, keeping the organization in line with industry best practices. hiring an executive legal assistant can help the organization to remain competitive and successful for years to come.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a Bachelor's Degree. To become an Executive Legal Assistant, you will need to obtain a bachelor's degree in a related field such as paralegal studies or legal studies. Additionally, some employers may require you to have a degree in a business-related field.
Develop Your Professional Skills. You will need to develop strong organizational, communication, and research skills to excel as an executive legal assistant. Additionally, it is important to have working knowledge of computer applications relevant to the legal field.
Gain Relevant Work Experience. After obtaining a bachelor's degree, you should seek out internships or entry-level positions in law firms or other legal settings. Working in a legal setting will give you familiarity with relevant practices and procedures and may also connect you with potential employers.
Pursue Certification. Although certification is not always required to become an executive legal assistant, it can demonstrate your commitment to the profession and help you stand out from other candidates. Certification is available through the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA).
Search for Openings. Once you have obtained your degree, gained relevant experience and are certified, you can start searching for open positions as an executive legal assistant. You may be able to find open positions by searching online job boards or contacting local law firms directly.

The increasing demand for skilled and qualified executive legal assistants has caused a rise in the number of people seeking training and certification in this field. This, in turn, has led to the emergence of more specialized courses and programs that provide specialized instruction on the legal aspects of business operations. Furthermore, the need for executive legal assistants has also prompted many employers to offer higher salaries and better benefits packages to this highly sought-after profession.

As a result, more individuals are able to pursue a career as an executive legal assistant, and the job market is becoming more competitive. this increased demand for executive legal assistants is creating a positive effect on the business environment, as companies are now able to find qualified individuals to fill their positions.

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Job Description

Prepare legal documents such as briefs, pleadings, appeals, contracts, and other legal documents.
Assist with research of legal documents and cases.
Maintain client database and filing system.
Respond to inquiries from clients and other external parties.
Assist with the preparation of legal analyses, reports, and memoranda.
Monitor legal deadlines and coordinate court filings.
Coordinate meetings and travel arrangements for executives.
Manage calendars, correspondence and other administrative tasks.
Prepare expense reports and billing statements.
Coordinate court appearances, hearings, and depositions.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Proficiency in legal research and case management
Ability to prioritize tasks and manage time efficiently
Strong knowledge of legal terminology and procedures
Highly organized, with meticulous attention to detail
Ability to work independently and as part of a team
Ability to meet deadlines and handle multiple projects simultaneously
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook)
Knowledge of document production and transcription techniques
Familiarity with court filing procedures
Strong customer service skills
Knowledge of legal ethics and confidentiality standards

Organizational skills are the most important skill for an Executive Legal Assistant. This is because their job requires them to manage a high-volume of documents and tasks. They must be able to prioritize and organize tasks in order to meet deadlines and manage their workload effectively.

Organization also allows them to remain focused and complete each task efficiently. Furthermore, organizational skills help them stay informed about the case, keep track of important documents, and ensure that all deadlines are met. As a result, having strong organizational skills is essential for an Executive Legal Assistant to be successful in their role.

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Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in the legal industry?
How have you managed complex legal documents in the past?
What challenges have you faced in your previous roles as an Executive Legal Assistant?
How have you managed difficult clients or situations?
What strategies do you use to ensure accuracy when working with legal documents?
Describe your experience working with confidential information.
How do you prioritize tasks and meet deadlines?
How do you stay organized when managing multiple projects?
How would you handle a situation where you had to work outside of regular office hours to complete a project?
What techniques do you use to ensure accuracy when drafting legal documents?

Common Tools in Industry

Microsoft Office Suite. Suite of applications and services used to create documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and more. (eg: Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
Legal Research Platforms. Online databases used to research legal topics and case law. (eg: LexisNexis, Westlaw)
Document Management Systems. Software designed to store, manage, and track electronic documents. (eg: DocuSign, Adobe Acrobat)
Time and Billing Software. Software used to track time spent on various tasks and generate invoices. (eg: Clio, Tabs3)
Calendaring and Scheduling Software. Software used to manage meetings and appointments. (eg: Microsoft Outlook, Google Calendar)
Video Conferencing Software. Software used to facilitate remote meetings and teleconferencing. (eg: Zoom, Skype for Business)
Practice Management Software. Software used to manage client information and workflow. (eg: Time Matters, PracticePanther)

Professional Organizations to Know

National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA)
International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP)
National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA)
American Bar Association (ABA)
Association of Legal Administrators (ALA)
Legal Secretaries International (LSI)
American Society of Legal Assistants (ASLA)
International Association of Legal Professionals (IALP)
International Association of Legal Secretaries (IALS)
National Association of Professional Process Servers (NAPPS)

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Common Important Terms

Dictation. The process of speaking aloud to create a written document.
Transcription. The process of converting spoken words into written text.
Document Management. The organization and storage of documents, such as contracts, memos, and legal briefs.
Records Retention. The process of properly storing and archiving documents for future reference.
Calendar Management. Keeping track of meetings, court dates, and other important dates.
Research. Gathering information and resources to support legal decisions.
Case Management. Managing legal documents related to a particular case or client.
Litigation Support. Helping attorneys prepare for and handle cases in court.
Administrative Tasks. Answering phones, filing paperwork, and other clerical duties.
Client Management. Interacting with clients, maintaining client records, and handling client correspondence.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does an Executive Legal Assistant do?

An Executive Legal Assistant provides administrative and legal support to attorneys and senior management within a corporate or law firm environment. They handle tasks such as preparing documents, researching laws, and managing calendars.

What qualifications are required for an Executive Legal Assistant?

Generally, an Executive Legal Assistant needs to have a bachelor's degree in law or paralegal studies. Additionally, they must be knowledgeable in office software, like Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat, and have strong communication, organizational, and research skills.

What type of duties can an Executive Legal Assistant expect to perform?

Executive Legal Assistants typically draft and edit legal documents, maintain and update client databases, format and proofread legal documents, coordinate and attend meetings, and organize files and records.

How much does an Executive Legal Assistant typically earn?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for Executive Legal Assistants was $53,310 in May 2019.

What is the job outlook for an Executive Legal Assistant?

The job outlook for Executive Legal Assistants is positive. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the employment of legal assistants and paralegals will grow 8 percent from 2019 to 2029.