We’re all resourceful, intelligent, and ambitious. There’s nothing we can’t accomplish as brand-new lawyers and experienced ones alike.
We all have to start somewhere, though. As a student or grad preparing to enter the world of practice, you’re learning the ins and outs of the law. You might be a new lawyer dealing with ever-increasing client loads and administrative duties.
All have to hire a legal assistant. It’s part of exercising your practice and supporting your firm or your cases.
It’s important to hire someone who can help you handle things from a legal, or administrative point of view. Here’s how to find the perfect legal assistant and how you can hire one.
Defining the Role of a Legal Assistant
When hiring a legal assistant, you should first define the role that you expect this person to fill within your firm. Do you need someone who will primarily handle administrative tasks on-site or a virtual legal assistant who can do tasks remotely, such as scheduling and preparing documents? Or do you need someone with more legal experience who can conduct research and help draft pleadings?
Determining the Necessary Qualifications
A legal assistant should have excellent written and communication skills, as well as strong research and analytical abilities. They should also be detail-oriented and able to work independently. Once you have determined the qualifications necessary for the position, you can begin the process of interviewing and hiring a legal assistant.
The Interview Process
It is important to follow a few key steps when hiring a legal assistant. The interview process is crucial in order to find the right person for the job. After advertising the position, review the resumes and applications to find the most qualified candidates. Schedule interviews with these candidates and ask them questions about their experience and credentials.
Be sure to ask each candidate about their prior experience, their qualifications, and their availability. You should also ask them about their thoughts on the role of a legal assistant and how they would fit into your firm.
Checking References
When checking references for a potential legal assistant, be sure to ask each reference about their working relationship with the individual, their paralegal, their skills, and their overall impression of the person. Also, be sure to ask if the references know of any reason why the individual would not be a good fit for the position. If possible, try to speak with references who have worked with the individual in a legal capacity.
Making the Final Decision
When you have decided to hire a paralegal, there are a few final things to take into consideration before making your decision. You will need to consider the cost of hiring a legal assistant and whether or not you can afford it.
You will also need to consider the workload that you will require of your assistant and whether or not they will be able to handle it. Finally, make sure that you are comfortable with the assistant that you hire and that you trust them to do their job properly.
Hire the Best Legal Assistant Now!
Hiring a legal assistant can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. By following these simple tips, you can be sure to find the right fit for your needs. And, if you need help along the way, a staffing agency can put you in touch with a qualified professional who can assist you in finding the perfect legal assistant for your firm.
Check out more tips on hiring the right legal assistant for your law firm on our website!