A legal assistant provides administrative and research support to lawyers and law firms.
We’ve helped thousands of clients hire amazing staff in the Philippines and Latin America.
Benefits of Hiring a Legal Assistant
A legal assistant (also called a legal secretary) makes your law office run smoothly by handling day-to-day clerical work. They free up attorneys’ time by managing administrative duties like answering phones, scheduling appointments, and maintaining case files. This saves your firm money because lawyers spend more of their time on billable legal work instead of paperwork. A competent legal assistant maintains organization and communication in the office, ensuring nothing falls through the cracks. As one career guide notes, a strong legal assistant “elevates the efficiency of a law firm” through clerical support.
Best Countries to Hire a Remote Legal Assistant
All three regions have excellent candidates for legal support roles. The Philippines has many experienced virtual assistants trained in U.S. legal terminology and procedures, often at a fraction of U.S. labor costs. Latin America has strong English skills (especially in countries like Mexico, Costa Rica) and many legal administrators; their time zones overlap well with the U.S.. South Africa boasts a legal system similar to Western standards and many skilled administrators with excellent English. If your firm relies on written contracts or a lot of document prep, the Philippines or South Africa might shine. For scheduling and client contact during US business hours, a nearshore hire in Latin America could work well.
What You Can Expect from Your Legal Assistant
Your legal assistant will become the clerical backbone of your legal team. They will answer calls and greet clients, acting as the firm’s first point of contact. Expect them to manage schedules for attorneys and clients, including court dates and meetings. They should keep paperwork organized: printing, copying, filing legal documents, and maintaining case files and records. Legal assistants often prepare documents under attorney guidance (for example, drafting letters, affidavits, subpoenas). They also arrange travel and logistics if attorneys need to go to court or depositions. Unlike paralegals, they generally do not do heavy legal research, but they may do basic legal fact-checking or support attorneys in gathering information. Overall, a skilled legal assistant will keep your practice running on schedule and ensure client communications are handled professionally.
How to Hire Your Remote Legal Assistant
Decide what skills matter most (e.g. legal terminology vs. general admin, document management, experience in corporate law vs. family law, etc.). Then let Somewhere take care of the rest and find the best remote legal talent for your law firm.
We'll source and ask qualified candidates for examples of their work (letters, schedules they've managed). In interviews, we'll test their attention to detail: perhaps including a proofreading task. Our recruiters will check typing speed and basic software skills (Word, case-management software), plus ensure the capacity for secure file sharing and e-signature capabilities. Once we have narrowed them down to the best of the best, you'll get to conduct interviews yourself and select a virtual legal assistant who best suits your requirements.
Legal Assistant Job Description
We’ve helped thousands of clients hire amazing staff in the Philippines, South Africa and Latin America.
Client communication: Answer and direct phone calls; greet and assist clients and visitors professionally.
Document handling: Prepare, proofread, and file legal documents; maintain organized case files.
Schedule management: Coordinate calendars for attorneys, set up meetings, court dates, and hearings.
Administrative support: Handle billing tasks like sending invoices; manage office supplies and equipment.
Courtroom support: Attend court with attorneys to assist (e.g. organize exhibits) if needed.
Maintain confidentiality: Ensure sensitive client and case information is kept secure at all times.
Required Skills
Strong English language and grammar, excellent phone etiquette, and great organizational skills. Proficiency in Microsoft Office and any specific legal software your firm uses. A background in a law office or paralegal studies is a bonus.
FAQs on Hiring a Remote Legal Assistant
What qualities make a great legal assistant?
Organization, attention to detail, discretion, and good communication. They should also be adaptable, as legal work can be unpredictable, so the ability to juggle tasks smoothly is key.
Can a legal assistant work remotely?
Yes, many remote legal assistants manage schedules and documents online. Secure document sharing and virtual meeting tools make it feasible. For client-facing tasks (like front-desk reception), an in-office or virtual receptionist role is more common.
Do legal assistants need a college degree?
Not usually. Many have an associate degree or certification in legal studies, but some skilled legal support staff learn on the job. Law firms often train new assistants in practice-specific procedures.
How is a legal assistant different from a paralegal?
A legal assistant focuses on clerical and administrative tasks (phones, filings, scheduling). A paralegal has legal training and can handle substantive tasks like research and drafting under an attorney’s supervision.
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