Legal Research Assistant

Legal Research Assistant Duties and Responsibilities 

Gathering Information 

Legal research assistants comb through laws and legal articles to find facts and precedents that support what a lawyer wishes to present. Though much of the work nowadays can be performed electronically through the Internet or fee-based databases, research also can involve trips to a law library or courthouse. Legal research assistants also may talk to clients to gain extra input or verify information. Legal research assistants may be called upon to summarize their findings in writing and distribute copies to members of the legal team. 

Reviewing Paperwork 

The field of law requires a ton of paperwork. Legal research assistants often read through documents to ensure correctness. They may work directly with clients to fill out forms, such as setting up a trust or preparing a contract. Helping clients to understand the steps in order to make informed decisions is a crucial part of the job. 

Administrative Tasks 

To keep operations flowing, legal research assistants may perform tasks such as answering phones, greeting visitors, scheduling meetings, filing, preparing documents, photocopying, drafting correspondence, and marketing the firm online or through direct mail. 

Legal Research Assistant Skills 

Legal research assistants are great multitaskers capable of handling demands from several cases at the same time. They also need to be excellent team players committed to performing their role well in order for group goals to be met. Other great qualities for legal research assistants to possess include: 

Paying attention to detail in order to correctly report and interpret information 

Being highly organized to handle requests and information coming in from various directions 

Exhibiting exceptional time management skills in order to meet deadlines 

Respecting confidentiality of personal data with which they may come into contact 

Communicating well to help clients understand legal language and procedures 

Legal Research Assistant Tools of the Trade 

As they go about assisting the foundation, legal research assistants often encounter the following: 

Court – Building in which a formal legal meeting takes place so that information can be presented to a judge and/or jury for a decision to be made 

Court brief – Legal document presenting your side of the case to a court 

Legal docket – Official summary of proceedings in a court of law 

Will – Legal declaration of what a person wants to have happen to his belongings after his death 

Trust – Legal arrangement of how money is to be held or distributed for a period of time 

Electronic research – Using sites on the Internet or fee-based services (such as Lexis Advance or Westlaw) to gather information