Administrative Support Personnel, Legal Secretary, Office Personnel, Secretary
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used. Here is how this occupation has been classified over time:
| Starting | $21.05 |
|---|---|
| Overall | $30.49 |
| Top | $39.03 |
Interest in compiling information to maintain filing systems; and in reviewing documents and correspondence to ensure that they comply with legal procedures and grammatical usage
Interest in operating computers, and other office equipment; may train other staff in the use of current software
Interest in speaking with people to schedule employers' appointments, meetings and conferences; in opening and distributing regular and electronic mail and other materials; and in co-ordinating the flow of information internally and with other departments and organizations; may supervise other staff in procedures
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
Duties and responsibilities vary from one organization to another. In general, legal assistants prepare correspondence and legal documents. These include trust documents, wills, mortgages, contracts, statutory declarations, affidavits, applications, and briefs. They use word processing, spreadsheet, database, or presentation software. They also:
They also may attend court or conferences to take notes, minutes, and dictation. They may attend hospitals or residences to witness a client’s signature on documents. With experience, their duties and responsibilities may overlap with those of paralegals. For more information, see the Paralegal occupational profile.
Legal assistants work in fast-paced office environments. They usually work standard office hours but may need to work overtime to meet deadlines. Deadlines include such things as real estate closing dates and timelines for filing and serving documents.
Legal assistants need:
They should be comfortable dealing with people. They should enjoy operating equipment such as computers. They should like compiling and organizing information.
Employers need legal assistants to be computer literate. They must have fast, accurate keyboarding skills. The preferred typing speed is 80 words a minute. A post-secondary certificate or diploma in office administration, internet literacy, and familiarity with legal vocabulary are assets.
Prospective students should ask employers about the suitability and reputation of training programs before enrolling in a program. For information about related 2-year diploma programs, see the Paralegal occupational profile.
The Legal Education Society of Alberta (LESA) offers professional development courses for legal support staff.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.
Certification is not required, as there is currently no legislation regulating this occupation.
Legal assistants work for:
In large organizations, experienced legal assistants may advance to paralegal or supervisory positions.
In Alberta, 80% of people employed as legal assistants work in the Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (pdf) industry.
The employment outlook (pdf) in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $16.48 | $27.66 | $21.05 | $20.62 |
| Overall | $23.08 | $35.51 | $30.49 | $30.83 |
| Top | $25.71 | $52.20 | $39.03 | $38.46 |
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* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
High Reliability, represents a CV of less than or equal to 6.00% and 30 survey observations and/or represents 50% or more of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Public Administration | $63,593 |
|---|---|
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $56,201 |
| Professional, Scientific & Technical Services | $55,697 |
| Finance, Insurance, Real Estate, Leasing | $52,423 |
Alberta Association of Professional Paralegals website: www.alberta-paralegal.com
Legal Education Society of Alberta (LESA) website: www.lesaonline.org
For more information on career planning, education and jobs call the Alberta Supports Contact Centre toll-free at 1-877-644-9992 or 780-644-9992 in Edmonton, or visit an Alberta Supports Centre near you.
Updated Mar 31, 2019. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.