Legal Assistant Requirements, Skills & Qualifications

The following common skills and qualifications are required of a Legal Assistant:

  • Bachelors degree in Law or Paralegal certification or similar (essential).
  • Legal research experience.
  • Experience in drafting legal and business documents.
  • Analytical thinker with strong conceptual and research skills.
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office, Lexis-Nexis, PACER, Westlaw and other legal research sites.
  • Ability to understand and interpret legal documents.
  • Strong organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail.
  • Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.

Note that this is not an exhaustive list of Legal Assistant skill, qualifications and experience. Job requirements for specific Legal Assistant roles may vary, depending on the industry and type of employer.