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Entry Level Legal Assistant Jobs in Elgin, IL (NOW HIRING)

Hawkins Parnell & Young

Administrative Legal Clerk

Chicago, IL · On-site

$17.50 - $22.50/hr

Hawkins Parnell is looking for an Administrative Legal Clerk to assist one or more busy practice ... This is an entry level position . Job Responsibilities: * Create and maintain paper and electronic ...

Morgan & Morgan, P.A.

Receptionist

Chicago, IL

$18 - $20/hr

Record all information provided by clients, and forward it to lawyers, or legal assistants ... High school diploma or GED * Entry level experience working in an office setting, preferably in the ...

DR Horton, Inc.

Land Assistant

Schaumburg, IL · On-site

... the entry-level and first time move-up markets. The Company also provides mortgage financing and ... Support preparation of subdivision plats, legal descriptions, and exhibits for corporate and ...

DR Horton

Land Assistant

Schaumburg, IL · On-site

... the entry-level and first time move-up markets. The Company also provides mortgage financing and ... Support preparation of subdivision plats, legal descriptions, and exhibits for corporate and ...

EMERGE

Entry-Level Health Insurance Sales Rep

Chicago, IL · On-site

$55K - $75K/yr

This entry-level Sales Specialist role will equip you with the tools and resources to succeed. All ... legal background requirements RESPONSIBILITIES * Handle live, pre-screened inbound calls and assist ...

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All JobsLegal JobsEntry Level Legal Assistant JobsEntry Level Legal Assistant Jobs in Elgin, IL

Entry Level Legal Assistant information

See Elgin, IL salary details

$26.7K

$47.7K

$73.2K

How much do entry level legal assistant jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level legal assistant in Elgin, IL is $47,661.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $37,600.00 and $54,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an entry level legal assistant, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level Legal Assistant, you need organizational skills, attention to detail, basic legal knowledge, and at least a high school diploma or associate’s degree. Familiarity with legal research databases like Westlaw or LexisNexis, Microsoft Office, and document management systems is typically required. Strong communication, discretion, and the ability to multitask under pressure are valuable soft skills in this role. These competencies ensure efficient support for legal teams, accuracy in documentation, and effective client service.

What does an entry level legal assistant do?

As an entry-level legal assistant, your responsibilities are to assist paralegals and lawyers with research, help draft and file legal documents, and provide administrative support as needed. Specific tasks may include preparing affidavits, creating the first drafts of court filings or other documents for the principal lawyer on the case, and recording interviews or depositions. Your duties also include many secretarial tasks, such as word processing, updating and keeping files straight, taking messages for lawyers or other office workers, and preparing invoices and other billing documents for the firm.

What are some common challenges faced by entry level legal assistants, and how can they be overcome?

Entry level legal assistants often encounter challenges such as managing a high volume of administrative tasks, learning complex legal terminology, and adapting to the fast-paced environment of a law office. Staying organized, actively seeking feedback from senior staff, and utilizing legal management software can help new assistants manage their workload effectively. Building strong communication skills and being proactive about asking questions are also key strategies for overcoming initial hurdles and growing confidently in the role.

How difficult is it to be an entry level legal assistant?

Becoming an entry-level legal assistant typically requires a high school diploma or equivalent, with some positions preferring post-secondary education or relevant coursework. The role involves learning legal terminology, document management, and office procedures, but it generally has low to moderate difficulty for individuals with strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

How much do entry level legal assistants make?

Entry-level legal assistants in New York City typically earn between $40,000 and $55,000 annually, depending on the firm size and their experience. Starting salaries may be higher in larger firms or for those with relevant internships or certifications, and the role often requires familiarity with legal software and strong organizational skills.
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Entry Level Legal Assistant jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level Legal Assistant job openings in Elgin, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, 14% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $47,661 per year, or $22.9 per hour.

Legal Assistant

Contact Government Services, LLC

Chicago, IL

$45K - $55K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 3 days ago

Job description

Legal Assistant
Employment Type: Full-Time, Entry Level
Department: Legal
 
As a CGS Legal Assistant, you will work under the direction of a Supervisory Paralegal or Project Supervisor. You will provide litigation and administrative support to a group of United States Attorneys. CGS brings motivated, highly skilled, and creative people together to solve the government’s most dynamic problems with cutting-edge technology. To carry out our mission, we are seeking candidates who are excited to contribute to government innovation, appreciate collaboration, and can anticipate the needs of others. Here at CGS, we offer an environment in which our employees feel supported, and we encourage professional growth through various learning opportunities.
 
Skills and attributes for success:
The Contractor shall provide two legal assistants to perform the following job duties to support attorneys, investigators, and paralegals:
Provide a variety of direct legal support assistance services to include:
- Receive and review incoming material and independently determines the need for assembly and preparation of a variety of legal documents, e.g., charging instruments, motions, orders, pleadings, deposition notices, trial subpoenas and grand jury subpoenas. In preparation of documents, considers the nature and the status of the case involved.
- Proofread and edit drafts of legal documents such as motions, orders, correspondence, discovery requests and responses, and other pleadings. Complete variable aspects of preparing recurring legal documents that conform to the rules governing their style and format.
- Electronically file documents on behalf of and at the directive of the attorneys with the appropriate state or federal court, applying knowledge of local court rules and practices.
- Provide assistance with trial preparation by performing duties such as independently compiling trial notebooks and witness and exhibit lists.
- Prepare and track grand jury subpoenas and returns. Aid in processing and organizing legal data and other supportive material. Organize, process and copy documents in accordance with requirements. Assemble record materials for court filings.
- Compose original letters that require a good working knowledge of legal procedures and specialized terminology, e.g., transmittal of pleadings, requests for extensions of time in certain cases, advising of actions taken or developments in cases referred by other federal departments and agencies, and notices to attorneys representing defendants.
 
Provide a variety of ancillary office support functions requiring some subject-matter knowledge of the United States Attorneys programs and operations. Typical assignments may include the following:
- Perform docketing duties such as opening, updating and closing cases through use of the automated case tracking system. As necessary, searches database for required information.
- Obligate funds for litigation expenses and monitors for continued necessity.
- Review bills and invoices and submits to budget office for payment.
- Maintain calendar of assigned active cases. Track filing, hearing, and trial dates, and scheduling conferences and interviews. Develop and maintain suspense system for ongoing cases and informs the attorneys of pending dates and deadlines. Maintain calendar(s) of the attorney(s), scheduling appointments, interviews, and conferences, and provides reminders of commitments and court appearances.
- Assemble the physical files and electronic files for new cases by filing materials in chronological order, preparing and printing conflict of interest sheets for assigned attorneys, and numbering the initial case materials and discovery. Upon receipt, send additional discovery to outside parties as directed by the assigned attorney.
- Prepare files for closing by putting the documents in chronological order, ensuring that the relevant documents are in the file, and prepare a closing sheet for the assigned attorney’s signature.
- Receive visitors, answer telephone and refer callers to staff members or take messages as appropriate. Deliver to and retrieve papers from the federal courthouse. Furnish requested information concerning pending and closed matters and cases, functions and general procedures of the office. Determine which matters should be referred to the AUSA and the urgency of the matter.
- Attend meetings and trainings as may be required and appropriate.
- Produce a variety of written documents and materials utilizing a wide range of office software applications, such as MS Word, MS Excel, MS Outlook, MS Access, Adobe Acrobat Professional or other databases. For example, assignments may include integrating output from different software types, e.g., tables produced by database applications and charts and graphs produced by electronic spreadsheet applications, into word processing or desktop publishing text. Products include complicated tables, graphs and charts, which may be incorporated into legal documents or courtroom presentations. Ensures all documents contain the proper format, spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and grammar.
- When appropriate, provide automated litigation assistance to attorneys in trial preparation and courtroom presentations, including transcribing dictation. Utilize various software applications and graphics hardware such as scanners and plotters. Prepare documents, charts, and visual materials used in trials. Provide technical support e.g., enlarging charts and photographs, duplicating tapes and videos, and marking exhibits.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
 
Qualifications:
- At least one year of specialized litigation experience required, however over three years is preferred.
- Specialized experience is defined as experience reviewing legal documents such as complaints, motions, orders, answers, pleadings, subpoenas, and libels for completeness of information; retrieving and assembling information for hearing and/or trial use, researching a variety of legal sources to obtain and/or verify information; maintaining file systems; and using automated software to produce legal related reports, documents, correspondence and related materials. 
- Requires excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Should have hands-on familiarity with a variety of computer applications, such as MS Word, MS Excel, MS Outlook, and Adobe Acrobat.
- Ability to consistently deliver highest quality work under extreme pressure will be very important.
- Ability to obtain a Public Trust Security Clearance
 
Our commitment:
Contact Government Services (CGS) strives to simplify and enhance government bureaucracy through the optimization of human, technical, and financial resources. We combine cutting-edge technology with world-class personnel to deliver customized solutions that fit our client’s specific needs. We are committed to solving the most challenging and dynamic problems.
 
For the past seven years, we’ve been growing our government contracting portfolio, and along the way, we’ve created valuable partnerships by demonstrating a commitment to honesty, professionalism, and quality work.
 
Here at CGS we value honesty through hard work and self-awareness, professionalism in all we do, and to deliver the best quality to our consumers mending those relations for years to come.
 
We care about our employees. Therefore, we offer a comprehensive benefits package.
- Health, Dental, and Vision
- Life Insurance
- 401k
- Flexible Spending Account (Health, Dependent Care, and Commuter)
- Paid Time Off and Observance of State/Federal Holidays
 
Contact Government Services, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants will be considered without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.
 
Join our team and become part of meaningful government innovation!
 
Explore additional job opportunities with CGS on our Job Board:
https://cgsfederal.com/join-our-team/
 
For more information about CGS please visit: https://www.cgsfederal.com or contact:
Email: info@cgsfederal.com
 
#CJ

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.