Free legal assistant job description template
Fill in the [brackets] and cut anything that doesn’t fit your job. Unlock one-tap copy and PDF download free with your email.
Unlock this template free at projects.groundworkbusinessadvisory.com/job-description-templates/legal-assistant/ to save it as a PDF.
Legal Assistant (Paralegal) job description template · Fill in the [brackets]
Legal Assistant (Paralegal)
About the job
[Business name] is hiring a Legal Assistant (Paralegal) who supports attorneys by organizing documents, researching, drafting and keeping cases and clients on schedule. [One or two sentences about your business and why someone would want to work there.]
What you’ll do
- Gather and organize case facts and legal documents
- Research laws, regulations and legal articles relevant to a case
- Draft correspondence and documents such as letters and contracts [under attorney supervision]
- Prepare files and exhibits for filing with courts or agencies
- Schedule client meetings, interviews and depositions
- Help attorneys prepare for hearings and trials
- Maintain confidentiality of all client information
What you need
- Associate's degree or certificate in paralegal studies [or equivalent experience]
- Strong writing, research and organization skills
- Discretion with confidential information
- Experience with [practice management software]
Nice to have
- Paralegal certification
- Experience in [family law, real estate, estate planning or criminal defense]
How to apply
[Apply link, email or phone], by [date].
[Business name] is an equal opportunity employer.
✓ Unlocked. Use the buttons above the template to copy it or save it as a PDF.
Example: the template filled in for a small business
Hypothetical example for Walker Law Office, a three-attorney general practice.
Walker Law Office is hiring a Legal Assistant to support our estate planning and real estate attorneys (full time, Monday to Friday, 8:30 to 5). You'll draft routine letters and documents for attorney review, manage client files and calendars and prepare closings. You'll report to the senior attorney.
Notice what makes it work: real hours, the actual tools, who they report to, and one honest reason to want the job. That’s the difference between a blank template and a job description that gets the right applicants.
What a legal assistant does
A legal assistant supports attorneys by organizing documents, researching, drafting and keeping cases and clients on schedule. Typical duties include:
- Gather and organize case facts and legal documents
- Research laws, regulations and legal articles relevant to a case
- Draft correspondence and documents such as letters and contracts under attorney supervision
- Prepare files and exhibits for filing with courts or agencies
- Schedule client meetings, interviews and depositions
- Help attorneys prepare for hearings and trials
Duties adapted from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Requirements, training and licenses
Paralegals and legal assistants typically need an associate's degree or a certificate in paralegal studies. Certification is not required, although some employers prefer or require a completed paralegal certification program. Check your state bar's rules on what non-lawyer staff may do.
Training: Associate's degree or certificate; some on-the-job training.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Paralegals and Legal Assistants.
How much does a legal assistant make?
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook. A median means half earned more and half earned less. Pay in your area may be higher or lower; check postings for similar jobs near you. A growing number of states and cities require a pay range in job postings, so check your local rules before you post.
Before you set the rate, run the free hiring cost calculator. It adds payroll taxes and other costs and shows how much work the hire needs to bring in to pay for itself.
Free template or written for you?
| Free template | Job Description $30 | Hiring Kit $299 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written for | Any business | Your business | Your business |
| Duties and schedule | Typical, with blanks | Yours, filled in | Yours, filled in |
| Pay | National figure | Set for your local market | Set for your local market |
| State rules | “Check your state” | Checked for your state | Checked for your state |
| Ready to post | No, you edit it | Yes | Yes, plus the job posting |
| Performance review form | — | Included free | Included |
| Interview guide and 30-60-90 day plan | — | — | Included |
| Use the template | Have us write it | Get the Hiring Kit |
Free template
- Typical duties with blanks to fill in
- National pay figure
- You edit it before posting
Job Description · $30
- Written for your business: your duties, schedule and pay
- Checked for your state’s rules
- Ready to post
- Free matching performance review form
Hiring Kit · $299
- Everything in the $30 job description
- The job posting
- Interview guide
- 30-60-90 day plan for the new hire
Fixed prices. See what’s included in Job Description Writing and the Hiring Kit.
Common questions
What can a paralegal do, and what can't they do?
Paralegals support attorneys with research, drafting and organization, and the attorney remains responsible for the legal work. What non-lawyer staff may do is set by each state's rules and bar association, so check them before you assign duties, and describe the supervision in the job description.
Can I use this template for free?
Yes. Copy it, edit it and post it. It's a starting point written for any business, so fill in the brackets and adjust the duties to your actual job. If you'd rather have it written for your business, ready to post, our Job Description service is $30.
Is this legal advice?
No. This page is general information. Requirements for some roles, especially in healthcare, vary by state. Check your state's rules, and talk to an employment attorney if you're unsure.
Published by Groundwork Business Advisory. Updated October 2026. General information, not legal advice. Pay data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, May 2025 wage estimates.