Legal Assistants
Formal Description
“Legal administrative assistants perform a variety of secretarial and administrative duties in law offices, legal departments of large firms, real estate companies, land title offices, municipal, provincial and federal courts and government.” (NOC 2021).
Sample Job Titles
This category includes a variety of job titles that may not necessarily be reflected by the category title. For a full index of job titles, see the category entry on the ESDC site. Example job titles include:
Administrative Assistant - Legal
Commercial Law Legal Assistant
Corporate Law Secretary
Estate Administrative Assistant
Judicial Assistant
Legal Assistant - Criminal Law
Legal Stenographer
Litigation Legal Assistant
Typical Employment and Education Requirements
The requirements listed for each occupational category will tend to vary across particular roles, job titles, and contexts.
The following typical requirements are listed on the ESDC’s 2021 entry for this occupational category:
- Completion of secondary school is usually required.
- Completion of a one- or two-year college or other program for secretaries or legal secretaries is usually required.
Success with a Social Sciences Undergraduate Degree and Beyond
When reviewing typical requirements, please remember:
- Degree and diploma listings often end with a purposefully open-ended phrase (“or a related field”, “or a similar discipline”) that acknowledges the variety and applicability of social sciences and liberal arts degrees.
- Employers often focus less on the name or title of a candidate’s degree, and more on how they articulate their transferable skills and experiences.
- Many qualifications and certifications are available as post-graduate certificates aimed at recent university graduates; these can make an excellent further education option for a social sciences or liberal arts degree.
Related Categories
Here are a few other categories that might interest you:
Related Sectors
Whereas Economic and Social Development Canada’s ‘occupational’ categories tend to focus more on the duties and functions that people play in specific roles, exploring careers by ‘sectors’ helps us to sort by employer type, industry, or general field of work. Here are just a few of the sectors that may be relevant to this category:
Academic Program Connections
As you select your program of study and the courses you will take, you can chart a path towards success in this sector from any one of our social sciences departments and programs. Here are just a few examples of academic disciplines that have connections with this sector:
Indigenous Studies Learn More
Indigenous Studies emphasizes cultural competency, policy understanding, and community engagement. Graduates gain skills in navigating government regulations, supporting Indigenous initiatives, and fostering inclusive workplaces, making them well-suited for administrative roles in law offices, government agencies, non-profits, and organizations serving Indigenous communities.
Society, Culture & Religion Learn More
Society, Culture & Religion enhances the understanding of diverse perspectives, critical thinking, and organizational skills. This program prepares students to manage communications, coordinate events, and support institutional operations in law offices, cultural institutions, and social service organizations.
Work & Labour Studies Learn More
Work & Labour Studies focuses on employment law, workplace policies, and human resources. Students develop expertise in labour relations, organizational structures, and workforce management, which are essential for administrative roles in law offices, business, unions, and HR departments.
Political Science Learn More
Political Science sharpens analytical thinking, research abilities, and communication skills. Graduates are equipped to handle policy analysis, document preparation, and organizational coordination, making them ideal candidates for administrative positions in law offices, government, corporate offices, and advocacy organizations.
