Getting Started with Legal Assistant Roles in Colorado Springs
A legal assistant is a professional helper, who provides vital assistance to an attorney or lawyer. Essentially, a legal assistant will be fulfilling the role of the attorney or lawyer. In a courtroom setting, they will perform most of the duties of an attorney, or at least assist them as they prepare for their case. They will research legal documents and be the primary point of contact for the relevant parties. Outside of the court, they will perform all the same tasks in their offices, and will write contracts, will the prepare for cases, answer pertinent questions involving the case, and sometimes be required to conduct interviews with the involved parties.
Legal assistants must possess a Bachelor’s degree in order to practice in the United States. They should have a thorough understanding of the U.S. legal and penal systems, the tenets of legal procedure, and a general knowledge of the major areas of law, such as family, business, and importance of date protection. It is also essential that legal assistants stay current on legal trends and changes within the legal system.
Paralegals, another term used for legal assistants, are highly organized individuals who can work either independently or with a team. They are expected to be detail-oriented , and should have excellent research and interpersonal skills. Legal assistants often work long hours but are often compensated very well for their time. Legal assistants tend to enjoy and find satisfaction in their work and therefore have a very low turnover rate. Although the profession carries a great deal of responsibility and accountability, it is typically not considered an incredibly stressful career.
There is a great deal of demand for legal assistants within the United States and therefore the career is on a strong upward trend. Legal assistants often work in law firms that anticipate a high client demand, and they typically will be compensated with a solid salary and benefits. The profession has an expected 17% growth rate over the next 10 years, which is significantly above average.
The legal profession in the state of Colorado is very strong, making Colorado Springs a prime location for aspiring paralegals. With a plethora of small- to mid-sized law firm located within the city of Colorado Springs, as well as a district court located nearby, paralegals have access to a wide range of employment opportunities. The average salary for a legal assistant in Colorado Springs is around $51,600.
Legal Assistant Demand in Colorado Springs
The demand for legal assistants in Colorado Springs has remained steady, with law firms and legal departments recognizing the value they add in providing essential support to attorneys and streamlining operations. As the city experiences growth in various sectors, including health care, hospitality, and technology, the legal field is no exception, showing promising signs for continued employment opportunities across various practice areas.
One of the main drivers of demand for legal assistants in Colorado Springs is the diverse range of industries present in the region. As businesses continue to expand their operations, they are increasingly in need of legal support for various corporate matters, including contract negotiations, compliance issues, and other transactional work. As more businesses establish roots in the city, the need for legal expertise will only intensify, leading to a higher demand for qualified legal assistants.
Another factor contributing to the demand for legal assistants in Colorado Springs is the growing complexity of legal regulations and requirements. As industries such as health care and technology become more heavily regulated, organizations within these sectors require skilled legal assistants to navigate these regulations and ensure compliance. This trend is reflected in the increasing number of job postings seeking legal assistants with specialized knowledge in these fields.
Furthermore, law firms and organizations are beginning to recognize the value of having a diverse range of skills within their legal teams. Legal assistants with expertise in information technology, project management, or human resources can bring valuable outside perspectives and innovative ideas that can help law firms and companies to improve their internal processes and provide better service to their clients. This has led to the demand for legal assistants with interdisciplinary backgrounds who can offer a more comprehensive skill set to their employers.
As the legal industry in Colorado Springs continues to evolve, legal assistants will remain a vital asset to law firms and legal departments alike. With steady demand for their services, experienced professionals looking to advance their careers in the city can find ample opportunities to do so while building a diverse and fulfilling professional portfolio.
Needed Skills for Legal Assistant Positions
To secure a legal assistant position in Colorado Springs, you’ll need a combination of technical and soft skills that demonstrate your ability to perform the duties of the role. While specific qualifications may vary by employer, the following competencies are generally appreciated by hiring managers and are often outlined in job descriptions.
Technical Skills
- Proficiency in software programs: Legal assistants typically work with word processing software, spreadsheets, databases, and specific legal programs. A solid understanding of document management and billing software is often necessary.
- Knowledge of filing systems: Both physical and electronic filing systems require familiarity with how to organize and track case documents efficiently.
- Research capabilities: Legal assistants researchers and analyze information to support attorneys’ case strategies and to prepare memos or correspondence. A strong foundation in legal research methods is essential.
- Copying and scanning: Document duplication and digitization require attention to detail, ensuring all forms and documents are legible and properly labeled.
- Transcription: Legal assistants often take dictation from attorneys, which requires familiarity with legal terminology, as well as an ability to quickly and accurately type dictated notes.
Soft Skills
- Communication: Legal assistants frequently interact with clients, attorneys, and judges, and must have strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Organization: The ability to maintain and organize case files and manage multiple assignments at once is crucial for keeping up with case deadlines.
- Attention to detail: Mistakes in legal documents can have serious consequences, so this trait is highly valued by employers.
- Time management: Legal assistants who can efficiently prioritize their tasks and manage their time can help law firms save money.
- Problem-solving: Adapting to new situations and solving problems on the fly is part of the job for legal assistants.
Leading Employers for Legal Assistants in Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs boasts a mix of law firms and businesses that require legal assistants. Many of these employers seek qualified candidates through a combination of online career pages, employment agencies and legal recruiters.
Saltzman & Johnson, P.C. is a boutique employment law firm in Colorado Springs, serving individual and corporate clients in the Colorado area. The firm has dedicated offices across the state and is one of the top legal employers in the region. Saltzman & Johnson, P.C. conducts extensive legal training programs for employees and hires legal assistants with degrees in paralegal studies. The firm provides a positive, positive work environment for new hires, as attorneys mentor and provide assistance during their acclimation to the firm. Many of the firm’s legal assistants are enrolled at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) studying for a pre-law degree. Internships for students at UCCS are available.
Schmidt & Feula, P.C. is a civil practice for a range of clients, which includes state and federal courts, municipalities, private property owners and others. The firm’s attorneys regularly handle cases in mediation, litigation and other areas. Schmidt & Feula, P.C. is committed to helping legal assistants grow professionally and this commitment carries over to interns from the UCCS pre-law program. Some of the firm’s current paralegals and legal assistants are former UCCS interns, who were able to find employment as a legal assistant or paralegal through the firm. Schmidt & Feula, P.C. is also one of the few firms allowing employees to work from home in Colorado Springs.
Agretti & Houghton, P.C. operates an estate planning practice in Colorado Springs and is committed to providing legal assistants with in-depth training and experience. This approach has given the firm a reputation for assisting employees with major life transitions. The firm specializes in estate planning, probate, elder law and probate litigation. Schmidt & Feula, P.C. actively hires for paralegals and legal assistants. This office allows employees to take ownership of cases, which helps iterated employees into the business. The firm also allows employees to work outside of the office. Many of the firm’s clients are elderly, so this is one of the most unique work environments in Colorado Springs for legal assistants and paralegals.
Bishop and Mills Architects is a growing law firm in the Colorado Springs area. The Colorado architecture firm offers competitive salaries and benefits for qualified candidates. As a firm that specializes in land use, it hires paralegals and legal assistants to meet the needs of clients. Bishop and Mills Architects allows flexible schedules for new hires, which enhances the firm’s recruitment efforts with law school interns. Additionally, the firm encourages employees to have a healthy work-life balance. The firm’s managing partner seeks candidates that will work well with others and be flexible to the demands of an active firm.
Robert D. Badal is an attorney at law and one of the fastest growing legal practices in Colorado Springs. The firm offers services in criminal defense, family law, insurance litigation and other legal practice areas. Badal works closely with his employees from the moment they start and is one of the few attorneys that gives new hires training on business management and marketing. Existing employees help new hires get acclimated to the firm’s work environment and assist with their integration into the firm. Robert D. Badal is one of the fastest growing legal practices in the Colorado Springs area.
How to Secure a Legal Assistant Position
How to Apply for Legal Assistant Positions in Colorado Springs
With the current job market, those seeking work are often applying for several positions, many of which have their own specific requirements. For example, while it can be tempting to send the same generic cover letter and resume to a number of different positions, it’s not the best way to get noticed. Law firms tend to employ legal assistants and paralegals who have specialized training. Qualified legal assistants know how to edit their application materials to fit each specific position. A cookie-cutter resume may save you time now, but it can take you out of consideration for the job entirely if you choose to submit it with a general description of your qualifications that is meant to address any law firm or type of firm. Instead, highlight the skills that the specific law firm is looking for in their posting—perhaps a particular level of expertise in a certain type of law, or experience within a certain area. Law firms can recognize resumes that don’t put in the effort to address their specific application, and they might not be willing to review yours on the off chance you may have the right qualifications. At the same time, using a template that you modify slightly for each applicant is another great approach. Or , ask a friend or mentor to help you create a quality template that you can reuse again and again. This will ensure that you’re still putting forth a strong effort and have a resume with a polished design, but you aren’t spending too much time on each application. If the job posting doesn’t include any details about educational background, skills, or experience, you may want to contact the hiring firm to gain a better understanding of their specific interests. Be polite in making this inquiry; you want to stand out as someone who takes the application process seriously, even if it means spending more time on each application than you really want. If you do not get a response, this is a clear sign that the firm would prefer to receive a generic resume, so move forward accordingly. When preparing for an interview, make sure you have a thorough understanding of the primary responsibilities of the position, and prepare yourself to discuss how your experience with previous law firms has enabled you to develop the necessary skills for success in this position. You can and should ask questions related to your experience as well. For example, what types of software will you be expected to use every day? What type of experience do current legal assistants have with these programs?
Potential Salary of Legal Assistants in Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs legal assistants can expect to earn a salary in the range of $36,000 to $50,000 on average. Legal assistant salaries in Colorado Springs vary between the lowest 10% earners at about $29,000 and the highest 10% earners that make about $61,000 on average. Or in terms of hourly compensation, Colorado Springs legal assistants earn from about $14.00 per hour to just over $25.00 per hour for the very top people. When considering factors that impact legal assistant salary amounts in Colorado Springs, one of the most important is the area of law. For example, asshown in the table below, legal assistants that work in immigration law earn about $39,000 on average. Those that work for employers that specialize in employment-based immigration, on the other hand, earn about $73,000. Another factor that can affect pay for Colorado Springs legal assistants is level of experience. The five year pay difference between those that have been in the field for less than two years ($46,000) and those with less than four years of experience ($41,000), just as one example, is a clear indicator of this phenomenon. In some instances, this pay advantage for legal assistants that stay at the same job can be significant. One other factor influencing legal assistant salary levels is the size of the employer. Most Colorado Springs legal assistants work for small law firms with fewer than 25 employees. These legal assistants earn about $43,000 on average for their work. On the other hand, Colorado Springs legal assistants that work for large law firms with 25 or more employees earn about $47,000 on average. And those that work for even bigger employers with more than 100 workers earn just over $50,000. Colorado Springs legal assistants that are interested in joining a law school with less than five years of experience on their resume will be able to command a salary of about $40,000. Typically, a legal assistant’s pay will rise as the number of years of experience increases and the jurisdiction of practice increases. Finally, Colorado Springs paralegals that work for public interest non-profit employers earn about $38,000 on average for their work.
Legal Assistant Career Advancement
An experienced legal assistant in Colorado Springs may have numerous opportunities for advancement in the paralegal field or related legal professional fields. Many employers may assist legal assistants in identifying continuing education and certification opportunities that help them move into higher positions in the legal industry. Those who choose to take these opportunities may find themselves well positioned for career advancement with their current employers, or in securing new positions with other law offices in the law filled community.
California is the only state that requires individuals who hold themselves out as paralegals or legal assistants to be licensed. While a paralegal license is not usually required in Colorado Springs, those who are legal assistants may want to consider obtaining a paralegal certification or credential. Doing so may help to establish the professional credibility of the paralegal and may also attest to the skills that the paralegal possesses. Other certifications and credentials include those issued by the National Association of Legal Assistants and the American Bar Association.
In Colorado Springs, law offices may employ paralegals who have earned two-year or four-year degrees and those who have not earned formal degrees. In some cases, legal assistants may be able to progress into paralegal positions. While it is not required, individuals who hope to advance to the paralegal level might want to consider getting their bachelor’s degrees. If they hope to work at a higher level, earning a master’s degree might be a good idea.
Some paralegals may go on to become lawyers. Again, Colorado Springs does not require paralegals to have juris doctor degrees but many do and may be accepted into law schools around the country. Some people prefer other roles in the legal profession. In Colorado Springs, for example, paralegals may be promoted to senior paralegal or may become workflow coordinators, legal nurse consultants, project managers or litigation support managers.
Networking and Professional Growth
Like many professionals concerned with the law, legal assistants have numerous opportunities to meet with peers and learn more about their field. Colorado Springs has many opportunities to network and gain new insights through local associations and events.
Associations for legal assistants in Colorado Springs include the Legal Secretary Division, a local chapter of Legal Support Staff International. Founded in 1971 and based in Denver, LSSi represents workers at all levels in both legal and corporate environments. The organization provides a variety of professional development tools through meetings, continuing education courses, seminars, refreshments , networking opportunities and more. Members can also earn a Professional Legal Secretary (PLS) or Certified Legal Secretary (CLS) designation. Membership in LSSi costs just $70 a year.
The Paralegal Division of the Colorado State Bar Association is another great place to expand your knowledge and network with like-minded individuals. This group organizes monthly meetings, as well as opportunities for continuing legal education and mentoring. Membership is open to all paralegals and legal assistants.
For legal assistants hoping to meet peers outside Colorado Springs, the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA) is a great choice. This national organization offers training, education, communication and other opportunities to help legal assistants strengthen their skills and broaden their horizons.