What is another name for Legal Assistant?

Asked by: Dr. Quinton Connelly  |  Last update: August 27, 2025
Score: 4.8/5 (11 votes)

A paralegal is a type of legal assistant who has received specialized education and training in legal procedures and practices, often with a college degree. Paralegals are often required to hold a degree in paralegal studies or a related field, and may also be certified by a professional organization.

What is a fancy name for a legal assistant?

Paralegals, also known as legal paraprofessionals, typically perform more substantive legal work under the supervision of licensed attorneys. Their responsibilities often include: Conducting legal research. Drafting legal documents and correspondence.

What are legal assistants called?

At the time, this was a very progressive development for the paralegal profession and the hope was that more states would follow California's example. None did so. By legal definition under the statute, in California, the terms are interchangeable.

How to list a legal assistant on a resume?

  1. Entry-Level Legal Assistant Resume Example. ...
  2. Create a profile by summarizing your legal assistant qualifications. ...
  3. Add your legal assistant experience with compelling examples. ...
  4. Include legal assistant-related education and certifications. ...
  5. Include a list of skills and proficiencies related to legal assistants.

What are legal secretaries called now?

Paralegals, also known as legal assistants, have more substantive legal responsibilities. They work closely with attorneys and provide support in various legal tasks.

What does a legal assistant do?

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What's the difference between a legal secretary and a legal assistant?

However, one of the key differences between a legal secretary and a legal assistant is that secretaries typically don't require formal education to work in a law office. While employers often prefer a candidate with more education or some experience in law, a secretary rarely conducts legal research.

What is the new title for secretary?

Other titles describing jobs similar to or overlapping those of the traditional secretary are Office Coordinator, Executive Assistant, Office Manager and Administrative Professional.

What is the difference between a legal assistant and an administrative assistant?

They are very different jobs. The average administrative assistant could not do legal work. Legal secretaries are also more highly paid. Legal secretaries have to know how to format, and prepare, specialized documents to the exacting standards of a court.

What industry is a legal assistant?

Most paralegals and legal assistants work in law offices. Paralegals and legal assistants often work on teams with attorneys and other legal support staff. Paralegals and legal assistants work primarily in offices. Occasional travel may be required, such as to accompany attorneys to depositions or trials.

What is the cover letter for a legal assistant job?

How to write a legal assistant cover letter
  • Add your contact information. ...
  • Write a compelling introduction. ...
  • Discuss your administrative skills. ...
  • Highlight your understanding of legal concepts. ...
  • Add a professional closing. ...
  • Sign your letter professionally. ...
  • Review the job description. ...
  • Express your enthusiasm.

Is a legal assistant higher than a paralegal?

The main difference between paralegals and legal assistants is in the scope of their responsibilities. Paralegals typically have more extensive legal education and training, and may perform tasks such as legal research, drafting legal documents, and assisting with client communication.

What's another word for paralegal?

A paralegal is a legal assistant.

What is the most a legal assistant can make?

While ZipRecruiter is seeing salaries as high as $79,736 and as low as $29,093, the majority of Legal Assistant salaries currently range between $40,900 (25th percentile) to $59,300 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $71,654 annually in Los Angeles.

What is another job title for a legal assistant?

Job titles that are especially common for a Legal Assistant to move into include Practice Assistant, Litigation Paralegal, Legal Coordinator, Attorney, Law Clerk, District Attorney, Law Student and Real Estate Paralegal.

What is a better name than assistant?

Synonyms of 'assistant' in American English

assistant. (noun) in the sense of helper. helper. accomplice. aide.

What is a professional assistant called?

A person responsible for providing various kinds of administrative assistance is called an administrative assistant (admin assistant) or sometimes an administrative support specialist. In most instances it is identical to the modern iteration of the position of secretary or is a sub-specialty of secretarial duties.

What are lawyers assistants called?

Legal assistants, also known as paralegals, support lawyers by organizing legal documents, conducting research, and assisting during trials and hearings. They help gather case information and ensure the thorough organization of facts and paperwork, aiding lawyers in trial preparation.

What classification is legal assistant?

The class of Legal Assistant is a paraprofessional class established to provide full-time employment in a legal program in State service.

What is the career path for a legal assistant?

A legal assistant is often times the first step in a professionals career path journey. Common career paths are as follows: Legal assistant > legal secretary > office manager > operations manager > partner. Legal assistant > legal secretary > office manager > operations manager.

What is a law clerk vs legal assistant?

Law Clerks: Often use the role as a stepping stone to become paralegals, attorneys, or judges. Legal Assistants: May advance to senior administrative roles or specialized positions within legal departments.

Is an assistant higher than an administrator?

The role of office administrator covers virtually everything as the role of assistant. The difference is that you'll have a more robust skill set and be able to take on extra responsibilities much more easily. An administrator is often thought of as the heart of any office environment.

What is the difference between a receptionist and a legal assistant?

Receptionist and legal assistant are two different occupations. A receptionist is the person who greets you when you walk through the law firm's front door. This position does not require any legal training at all. A legal assistant is someone who has enough legal training to assist the lawyer with some legal tasks.

Why can't you say "secretary" anymore?

At the administrative level, many job descriptions blur into each other. A secretary in one company might be called an administrative assistant in another. However, while administrative assistant is a truly generic term, secretary tends to be biased towards typing-based activities directed by a superior.

What is a fancy word for secretary?

A person employed to keep records, accounts, and undertake other routine administrative duties. clerk. executive secretary. assistant. administrator.

What is the new name for company secretary?

So much so that the Corporate Governance Institute is henceforth changing the name from Company Secretary to 'Governance Officer', in an attempt to remove any uncertainty. When it comes to their main aims and objectives, they are designated as the key advisor to the Board Directors on matters of Corporate Governance.