What Does a Legal Administrator Do?

Legal administrators are responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of law firms and other legal organizations. They ensure that their company is running smoothly, from staffing to finances to client service.

Legal administrators may also be involved in more strategic tasks such as developing new business opportunities or implementing changes to improve efficiency or quality.

Legal Administrator Job Duties

Legal administrators have a wide range of responsibilities, which can include:

• Analyzing legal issues, such as determining the applicability of federal or state laws to specific cases
• Assisting in the development of legal strategy by identifying relevant precedents, laws, and other legal considerations
• Providing support to attorneys during trials by taking notes on court proceedings and assisting with discovery materials
• Coordinating with clients to ensure that all deadlines are met and all requirements are met
• Coordinating with senior members of the legal team to ensure that cases proceed smoothly and efficiently
• Organizing files and records of cases for storage in accordance with established guidelines
• Coordinating with opposing parties, including scheduling hearings and mediating settlements
• Maintaining ethical standards by monitoring attorney conduct for compliance with regulations
• Reviewing documents to ensure that they are legally binding and compatible with software systems used by the law firm

Legal Administrator Salary & Outlook

Legal administrators’ salaries vary depending on their level of education, years of experience, and the size and industry of the law firm or company they work for.

• Median Annual Salary: $66,500 ($31.97/hour)
• Top 10% Annual Salary: $115,000 ($55.29/hour)

The employment of legal administrators is expected to grow much faster than average over the next decade.

As law firms expand their operations, they will need more legal administrators to oversee the work of paralegals and other legal support workers. In addition, demand for legal services will increase as the economy grows and new businesses are formed.

Related: 25 Legal Administrator Interview Questions and Answers

Legal Administrator Job Requirements

A legal administrator typically needs to have the following qualifications:

Education: Legal administrators need at least a bachelor’s degree. Many employers prefer candidates who have a Juris Doctor (J.D.) or a law degree. Some of the most common majors for legal administrators are law, business and criminal justice.

Training & Experience: Legal administrators typically receive on-the-job training in the form of an orientation period with a new company. During this period, they learn about the company’s policies and procedures, as well as the software and technology they will use on a daily basis.

Certifications & Licenses: While legal administrators do not have to undergo the same certification or licensure requirements as lawyers, many earn certifications that demonstrate their competence in an increasingly complex legal environment.

Legal Administrator Skills

Legal administrators need the following skills in order to be successful:

Attention to detail: Attention to detail is the ability to notice small changes and errors. Legal administrators may use this skill to review contracts, agreements and other legal documents. Attention to detail can also help you notice if a contract is missing information or if a client’s information is incorrect.

Organization: Organization is a crucial skill for legal administrators, as it allows them to keep track of their workload and prioritize their duties. Organization also allows legal administrators to keep their files organized and accessible, which can help them provide better service to their clients.

Communication: Legal administrators communicate with a variety of people, including clients, other administrators, lawyers and other staff members. Effective communication skills can help you convey information clearly and answer questions. You may also need to communicate complex information, so it’s important to be able to explain information in an easy-to-understand way.

Computer skills: Legal administrators should have basic computer skills, including the ability to use a computer, navigate a website and use basic software. This is because most of the work you do as a legal administrator is done on a computer. You should be able to type, use a mouse and navigate through various programs and applications.

Problem-solving: Problem-solving skills allow you to identify and resolve issues. Legal administrators solve problems for clients, such as by researching laws, drafting documents and communicating with other professionals. They also solve problems within the legal system, such as by identifying loopholes and proposing solutions.

Legal Administrator Work Environment

Legal administrators work in a variety of settings, including law firms, corporate legal departments, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations. They typically work full time, and their work hours may include evenings and weekends. Many legal administrators are required to travel to attend conferences and meetings. The work can be stressful, and legal administrators must be able to handle deadlines, demands from lawyers and other staff, and last-minute changes. They must also be able to work well under pressure and maintain a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.

Legal Administrator Trends

Here are three trends influencing how legal administrators work. Legal administrators will need to stay up-to-date on these developments to keep their skills relevant and maintain a competitive advantage in the workplace.

The Growth of Legal Tech

The legal industry is changing rapidly as more and more businesses turn to legal tech solutions to handle their legal needs. This trend is causing a shortage of legal administrators, who are needed to manage the growing amount of data that these solutions produce.

Legal administrators can capitalize on this trend by becoming experts in legal tech solutions. They can then use their knowledge to help businesses find the right solution for their needs and manage the data that it produces.

More Use of Technology in the Legal Profession

The legal profession is increasingly using technology to streamline processes and improve efficiency. This trend is leading to an increased demand for legal administrators who have expertise in using technology to support the work of lawyers.

As legal professionals continue to adopt new technologies, legal administrators will need to be able to utilize those technologies in order to keep up with the competition. In addition, they will need to be familiar with the latest software tools that can help them manage large amounts of data quickly and efficiently.

Greater Focus on Risk Management

Risk management is becoming an increasingly important focus for law firms across the globe. As legal professionals become more aware of the risks associated with litigation, they are looking for ways to mitigate those risks.

This trend is leading to an increased demand for legal administrators who can help law firms manage their risk. By understanding how to identify and assess risk, legal administrators can help law firms make better decisions about where to allocate their resources.

How to Become a Legal Administrator

A legal administrator career can be a great way to get your foot in the door of the legal field. As a legal administrator, you’ll have the opportunity to work with a variety of attorneys and learn about different areas of law. You’ll also gain experience working with clients and handling cases.

To become a legal administrator, you’ll need to have strong organizational skills and be able to handle a lot of paperwork. It’s also important to have good communication skills so that you can effectively communicate with clients and attorneys.

Advancement Prospects

There are many ways to advance in the field of legal administration, but most of them involve taking on more responsibility and/or obtaining more education. For example, a legal administrator might start out as a legal secretary or paralegal, then be promoted to office manager, and eventually become the firm’s chief administrator. Or, a legal administrator might begin as an administrative assistant, then get promoted to paralegal, and eventually become a law firm’s managing partner. In order to advance, legal administrators need to be able to handle more responsibility and be able to take on new challenges. They also need to be able to demonstrate their leadership abilities and their commitment to the field of law.

Those who wish to advance in their careers should consider obtaining a master’s degree in legal administration. This will give them the skills and knowledge they need to take on more responsibility and leadership roles.

Legal Administrator Job Description Example

At [CompanyX], we provide high-quality legal services to our clients by staying ahead of the curve and keeping up with the latest industry trends. We’re looking for a legal administrator to join our team and help us maintain our standards of excellence. The ideal candidate will have experience working in a law firm or legal department, and will be highly organized and detail-oriented. He or she will be responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the legal department, including scheduling, budgeting, and billing. The legal administrator will also be responsible for maintaining client confidentiality and ensuring compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary point of contact for all legal inquiries, managing a high volume of inbound and outbound calls
• Handle all administrative duties for the legal department, including but not limited to scheduling appointments, maintaining records, preparing correspondence, and handling travel arrangements
• Serve as a resource for clients and attorneys on procedural matters, providing clear and concise explanations as needed
• Prepare and distribute meeting minutes and agendas, as well as coordinate all aspects of team events and functions
• Maintain an organized and up-to-date filing system for all legal documents, both physical and electronic
• Conduct research on a variety of legal topics as requested by attorneys and paralegals
• Prepare and process a high volume of legal documents, such as pleadings, briefs, and contracts
• Manage invoicing and billing for the department, ensuring accuracy and timeliness
• Monitor deadlines and calendars for the department, sending reminders as needed
• Assist with special projects as needed, such as website updates and social media campaigns
• Train and provide support to new hires as needed
• Adhere to all confidentiality agreements and company policies

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration or related field
• 7+ years experience in an administrative role, preferably in a law firm
• Proven experience with office management and legal administrative procedures
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, with aptitude to learn new software and systems

Preferred Skills and Qualifications

• Master’s degree in business administration or related field
• 10+ years experience in an administrative role, preferably in a law firm
• Working knowledge of case management software, such as Legal Files or Time Matters
• Experience managing budgets and expenses
• Experience developing internal processes and filing systems