Legal Assisting Program

Is a career as a legal assistant right for me?

Legal Assistants are intrigued by the legal process. They have an inclination towards fact finding and documentation, and are excited by the idea of assisting lawyers with important court cases. If the following qualities describe you, Legal Assisting might be a good career choice:

• Self-motivated
• Good at problem solving
• Responsible
• Detail oriented
• Enjoy working with others

What's the job outlook?

With Legal Assistants and other non-attorney law office positions in high demand, there's no better time to enter the legal profession. The consistent rise in operating expenses is forcing law offices to reduce costs by assigning important tasks to motivated support staff. As law firms and legal departments increasingly rely on this support, the demand for qualified Legal Assistants will continue to rise. Employers in today's job market are looking for candidates who can multi-task to meet a variety of operational needs. Legal Assistants play a mission critical role, ensuring that law offices run efficiently and that lawyers are thoroughly prepared for their cases.

What will I do with my education?

Graduates of Heald's Legal Assisting program pursue rewarding careers as Legal Assistants, Legal Administrative Assistants, Legal Office Clerks, and Legal Secretaries. They work in a variety of different organizations, including law firms, government agencies, financial institutions, nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and social service agencies. A Heald degree serves as a solid foundation for graduates who choose to pursue certification as an Accredited Legal Secretary (ALS), as well. Legal Assistants are typically responsible for editing legal documents for accuracy, reviewing legal journals, and writing correspondence and legal documents under the supervision of an attorney. Some attorneys even delegate specific casework to their Legal Assistants, allowing them to delve deeper into the issue at hand. Although they are not paralegals, Legal Assistants are often asked to prepare written reports or legal documents, track cases, and organize documents for attorneys to use in court. As a Legal Assistant, your primary objectives will be to make sure the law office runs efficiently and support the needs of your team.

You'll get more than career training at Heald. You'll gain professional polish so you can be an asset your first day on the job. If you're interested in this program, you can pursue the following future educational options:

• Associate in Applied Science degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Legal Assisting
• Second Associate in Applied Science degree^* in Legal Assisting

The above serves as a general overview for this program. For details, please refer to our academic catalog. Program availability and educational options vary by campus. * if you already hold an AAS degree from the select list of Heald programs identified in the Heald College catalog TOP