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Legal Assistant
Career Insights for Paralegal / Legal Assistant
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Scorecard
Based on Washington, D.C. (District of Columbia) data
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What they do
A Paralegal or Legal Assistant assists attorneys and law offices with a variety of tasks ranging from administrative support to legal research and writing. Maintains and organizes files or file databases. Conducts legal or other background research, assists with preparation for trials or hearings, and drafts documents to be filed. Uses software for electronic discovery of materials such as email for a trial. May specialize in a particular area of the law such as corporate or criminal law, family law or real estate law.
$71,514 / year median in Washington, D.C. (District of Columbia)
-9% projected decline
Job Description
Responsibilities:
- Coordinate the intake of new legal matters by gathering documentation, reviewing submissions, and routing information to the appropriate team members.
- Prepare, organize, and submit court-related documents through electronic filing systems while maintaining accuracy and compliance with filing requirements.
- Track litigation calendars, monitor court deadlines, and help ensure time-sensitive filings and appointments are properly scheduled.
- Maintain orderly case records and correspondence so that attorneys and staff can quickly access critical information.
- Communicate with courts, clients, and internal stakeholders to obtain updates, confirm filings, and support smooth case progression.
- Assist with civil litigation support tasks, including document preparation, matter tracking, and follow-up on outstanding items.
- Review incoming materials for completeness and flag missing or urgent items that require immediate attention.
- Support operational workflow updates and process-related changes as needed within the intake and legal support function. Requirements
- Experience supporting legal operations, intake coordination, or legal assistant functions in a detail-focused environment.
- Working knowledge of electronic filing procedures and court filing practices.
- Familiarity with civil litigation processes and related legal documentation.
- Ability to manage calendars, prioritize deadlines, and handle multiple active matters at once.
- Strong organizational skills with close attention to detail and accuracy.
- Effective written and verbal communication skills for interaction with courts, clients, and colleagues.
- Proficiency with case records, document management, and standard office technology.