What Is a Practice Assistant and How to Become One

By ZipRecruiter Marketplace Research Team

A practice assistant works for a law firm processing legal documents and completing other administrative tasks, such as making travel arrangements or proofreading correspondence. Their job duties include providing support to attorneys at the law firm and their clients. Career qualifications include an associate’s degree and certification, although many employers prefer candidates with a bachelor's degree and experience working as a legal assistant. Some people in this job choose to use their experience in the legal field to become a paralegal and pursue a career as an attorney.

A practice assistant in the legal field needs a minimum of a high school diploma or GED equivalent, but most law firms look for assistants who have an associate or bachelor’s degree in a law-focused field. Previous experience at a job with administrative duties, such as answering phone calls, completing data entry tasks, and filing paperwork, can set you apart from other applicants. Other qualifications include a desire to have a career in law, outstanding time management and communication skills, and computer proficiency. You should also excel at working in a high-pressure environment with multiple projects and strict deadlines.