Job Market for Legal Assistants in Fort Worth
The steady increase in the demand for legal assistants in various law sectors such as litigation, employment, and corporate law is being observed both nationally and locally giving hope to those interested in this profession. While the Bureau of Labor Statistics has reported job losses in many industries during 2007 through 2009, the legal field was one of the few that have doubled employment and therefore demand for professionals to assist law firms and attorneys. According to the Occupational Employment Outlook Handbook published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics for 2008 through 2009 , hiring of legal assistants will increase by over twenty percent (20%) by 2018. These legal assistants will work directly with attorneys and are increasingly taking on more responsibilities and doing so at lower costs than traditionally associated with the hiring of a lawyer for the same work. Nationally, these legal paraprofessionals are now supporting attorneys with pretrial work, factual investigation, expert witness location, as well as general discovery assistance work.
In Fort Worth, Waite & Associates is the area’s largest legal staffing firm with a strong history of corporate and boutique firms coming to them for the recruitment of legal paraprofessionals. What is surprising is that these firms have not downsize hiring of paraprofessionals despite the economy and state of the legal markets. So, the demand for those seeking legal assistant jobs in Fort Worth is great!
Primary Duties of a Legal Assistant
Legal Assistants in Fort Worth are expected to be adept at a variety of tasks. While some functions may vary according to the specific practice, Legal Assistants can expect, at a bare minimum, to perform the following tasks:
• Conduct legal research: Legal Assistants are often called upon to perform research in order to find relevant case law and statutes. The Legal Assistant will either research on their own to prepare for a case, or on behalf of an attorney or even a judge. Legal Assistants must be knowledgeable about legal research techniques and the various tools and resources available to them.
• Dig through case files: Legal assistants must be able to comb through large volumes of case files to locate pertinent documents or information. They must also be detail-oriented enough to decipher important nuances between closely related documents.
• Draft documents: Oftentimes, they will be expected to draft pleadings, interview outlines, memoranda, depositions, orders, briefs, motions and more. Legal Assistants must also have an eye for errors and be able to edit these documents to perfection. In some cases, they may be required to draft legal documents in areas like bankruptcy, real estate, wills, trusts, family law, corporate law and fairly complex civil litigation.
• Organize and maintain files: A Legal Assistant is responsible for ensuring that any physical and electronic files remain well organized and up to date. The Legal Assistant will need to plan ahead for the year regarding the destruction of files that are older than the firm’s policy allows. Regular updates of paper and/or electronic files must be established and maintained.
• Draft pleadings and correspondence: These could include letters, briefs, motions and pleadings. A Legal Assistant may also be expected to prepare and process court filings and service notices.
The skills a Legal Assistant must possess have come together over time to create the Legal Assistants who work today. The more a Legal Assistant can manage these skills, the more valuable they become to their team. These skills include:
• Law and legal issues: Legal Assistants must be able to manage a variety of legal procedures and formalities. They will be well versed in areas such as finance, contracts and business law. This is a skill gained through both education and experience.
• Highly organized: Legal Assistants are placed in charge of a great deal of information, so it’s crucial that they have great organizational skills. This covers not only physical files, but also digital files and other business information. Their work must be properly cataloged and preserved. Legal Assistants perform a lot of administrative work, and as such must keep everything orderly to maintain accuracy.
• Computer proficiency: A Legal Assistant relies on many digital tools to get their work done. They must have proficiency in word processing programs, e-filing programs, spreadsheet programs, online research tools, and a range of specific applications.
• Familiar with Microsoft Office: Legal Assistant have to be experienced with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint and other Microsoft Office programs.
Typical Legal Assistant Credentials
A solid educational background and relevant certifications can provide a competitive advancement in legal assistant jobs. In Fort Worth, TX, candidates typically have specialized paralegal training, though it is not always a prerequisite. A paralegal certificate from a recognized organization such as the National Federation of Paralegal Associates (NFPA) or the American Alliance of Paralegals (AAP) would be a strong asset. For example, qualified candidates may have credits earned through the NFPA’s Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam (PACE).
For favorable positions in law firms and government agencies, those who have completed an associate or undergraduate degree in paralegal studies are preferred. For some North Texas professionals, completion of such programs may include internship opportunities which provide an edge, particularly in the case of equivalent work experience. Paralegal studies involve coursework covering a wide range of topics, including substantive law, legal writing, research and other areas relevant to the legal profession.
Many paralegals and legal assistants are required to obtain a license in order to perform their duties. Legal Assistants who complete a formal education program and later pass the licensure exam may earn advanced certification as a Registered Paralegal (RP) through the National Federation of Paralegal Associates. Aspiring paralegals may also have the opportunity to gain advanced credentials as licensed paralegals.
In addition to accreditation, legal assistant professionals in Fort Worth, TX are expected to have certain qualifications and skills. These may include:
• Attention to detail
• Strong analytical skills
• The ability to multi-task
• Knowledge of multiple areas of law
• Familiarity with filing systems and legal terminology
• Organizational skills
• Written and verbal communication skills.
The International Paralegal Managers Association (IPMA) offers further credentials designed to formally recognize and commend excellent legal professionals. The Certified Paralegal Manager (CP) credential is considered significant in developing managerial skills for conference coordinators, training coordinators, billing specialists and human resources. The Paralegal Management Advanced Competency Exam (PMACE) assesses skills related to professional development and management. Both certifications can be beneficial in advancing one’s career in Fort Worth, Texas. An additional credential offered by the IPMA is the certified paralegal professional (PP), which is designed for individual paralegals and paralegal managers.
Most Common Employers of Legal Assistants in Fort Worth
Some of the most prominent employers of legal assistants in the Fort Worth area include both large law firms as well as corporations and government agencies. A number of different firms in Fort Worth regularly hire legal assistants, including major national firms, regional firms and smaller boutique firms. Some of the major firms in Fort Worth that frequently list open legal assistant positions include Kelly Hart & Hallman LLP, McElroy, Sullivan & Miller, P.C., Cowles & Thompson PC and Baird, Crews, Schneider & Foley, P.C.
Legal assistants can also find opportunities with a number of other types of employers in Fort Worth. For instance, many corporations have in-house legal teams that provide support to corporate legal departments. These departments often retain their own legal assistants. A few typical corporations that frequently hire legal assistants to work in-house include Alcon Inc., The Kroger Co., Keller Williams Real Estate, Capital One and Energy Transfer Partners, L.P.
Government agencies at the local, state and federal levels also employ legal assistants. The Fort Worth area has a number of government agencies, including the City of Fort Worth, Tarrant County, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas and the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Texas. These government agencies and courts often hire legal assistants. For instance, there are a number of open positions across the Metropolitan Area currently at various government agencies.
Compensation and Advancement for Legal Assistants
Legal assistants in Fort Worth can expect to earn anywhere from $43,000 to $75,000 per year according to a recent Salary.com report. The average legal assistant in Fort Worth earns an annual salary of roughly $53,000 per year. Of course, lawyers like other professionals are paid more once they reach associate status. In Texas the median legal assistant salary is $50,800 which is more than any other region of the U.S. but is slightly below the national median of $52,300.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) lists the average annual salary for legal secretaries in the Fort Worth-Arlington area at $52,430. The highest salaries in this area went to the top 10 percent of earners who brought home an average annual income of $66 , 590. The BLS also reports that the Fort Worth area has abundant opportunities and is adding jobs at a steady pace. The continuous growth of the local job market in this industry is also evidenced by the strong increases in the average salary for legal secretaries and paralegals from 2012-13.
Paralegals in Fort Worth are paid significantly more on average than their peers throughout the state. In addition to having the highest mean wages, the Fort Worth area has the third largest population of paralegals of any major metro area in Texas. Job openings for paralegals in the Fort Worth area are expected to grow by 12.9% over the 10 year period from 2012-2022, which is well above the national average. The DFW economy has added a notable number of new paralegal jobs in recent years as evidenced by the fact that the annualized rate of paralegal salary increases in Fort Worth was greater than the national average increase by a full 5% in 2013-14.
Securing Legal Assistant Opportunities in Fort Worth
Finding legal assistant job openings in Fort Worth can be a straightforward process if you know where to look and how to present yourself. The first step is to utilize the wide range of legal assistant job websites available. These platforms allow you to filter job openings by location, experience level, and type of law, and you’ll often find opportunities that are not posted on other job boards.
Networking is another important strategy. Join local legal organizations or networking events specializing in law. Meeting attorney will allow you to get a firsthand view on what firms are looking for in candidates and may even result in a job offer. Don’t overlook online networking. LinkedIn and other professional social media platforms can help you connect with legal professionals and find potential job leads.
Attend career fairs that include law firms and legal recruitment agencies. These events can be great opportunities to learn more about various firms and their hiring processes, as well as present your resume directly to HR representatives.
Utilize local recruitment agencies that specialize in legal jobs. These agencies have existing relationships with law firms and can often assist you in finding job placements that suit your skills and career goals.
Writing Winning Resumes and Cover Letters
In the competitive landscape of legal assistant jobs in Fort Worth, TX, a tailored resume and cover letter can play a crucial role in securing an interview. These documents should highlight your relevant skills, experiences, and qualities that align with what employers in Fort Worth typically seek in candidates.
As a starting point, emphasize your computer proficiency and familiarity with widely-used software packages. Legal assistants are frequently called on to manage, organize, and retrieve data, and a command of the relevant software packages is often considered essential. Proficiency in programs such as Microsoft Office Suite, legal research databases like Westlaw or LexisNexis, document management systems, and billing software can demonstrate your ability to hit the ground running in a law office.
Additionally, detail your communication skills. Legal assistants must often act as the communication hub for the firm, and conveying information clearly and professionally to clients, attorneys, and outside agencies is necessary. Showcase experiences that highlight your oral and written communication abilities, such as drafting legal documents, correspondence, and client communications.
Emphasize any organizational successes. Legal assistants often juggle a variety of responsibilities, from managing calendars to maintaining files. The ability to prioritize tasks and work efficiently is a valued skill. Examples of your organizational techniques, facing and overcoming common challenges, such as missed deadlines or chaotic filing systems, can all be used to set yourself apart from other applicants .
In terms of work experience, be sure to list relevant jobs or internships that have helped you develop the skills on your resume. It’s also advantageous to include any experience handling confidential material, whether at an internship or elsewhere. Just like communication and organization, dealing with sensitive information requires discretion. This might include medical or financial records, or other highly personal content. To some employers, the handling of such matters with tact becomes a point of concern only if there is a perceived deficiency.
Finally, include any academic achievements such as your GPA and special honors or courses that apply to your job search. These touch on a few skills not otherwise mentioned, such as research and analytical skills. While many law firms don’t have hiring requirements in this area, Fort Worth legal assistant jobs can be competitive, and setting yourself apart can be a benefit.
The most important aspect of any legal assistant application is to customize your resume and cover letter. If you’re interested in working in insurance litigation, your resume should look different than if you’re looking to work in family law. If you want to work for a small, local firm, your resume should and likely will differ from an applicant seeking to work with a larger firm. The more specific you can be to the job, the better your chances of getting the firm’s attention.