Roles-Professional-Behaviours-and-Responsibilities-of-Legal-assistants.pptx

hope it helps

1. Roles , Professional Behaviors , and Responsibilities of Legal Administrative Assistants  

2. objectives 1.1          know and apply the specialized skills, knowledge, and character attributes required 1.2         identify and complete general and corporate records office tasks under supervision 1.3         practice discreet and ethical behaviours 1.4         appreciate the expertise, roles, and responsibilities of the members of the legal team within which the legal administrative assistant works

3. Legal office procedures Is defined as a methods and approaches that guide a legal assistant/secretary/paralegal in relation to the legal profession.

4. Importance of legal procedures Legal office procedures direct the legal assistant in applying his special skills, knowledge, and character, attributes required in the field. Legal office procedures help the legal assistant identify and complete general or corporate records and finish the assigned tasks under supervision. Legal office procedures cover discreet and ethical behaviors that are essential in the world of legal profession.

5. Roles of Legal Administrative Assistants Administrative Support - Legal administrative assistants provide essential support to attorneys, paralegals, and other legal professionals by handling administrative tasks. This includes scheduling appointments, managing calendars, handling correspondence, and organizing meetings. They ensure the legal team is well-prepared and organized .

6. Roles of Legal Administrative Assistants 2. Document Preparation -They are responsible for drafting, editing, and formatting legal documents such as contracts, pleadings, briefs, and legal forms. - Legal administrative assistants ensure that all documents adhere to legal standards and are free of errors before submission to courts or clients .

7. Roles of Legal Administrative Assistants 3. Case Management - Assisting in the management of legal cases by organizing case files, tracking important deadlines, and coordinating activities related to each case. - They maintain accurate and up-to-date case files and ensure that all relevant documentation is readily available for attorneys .

8. Roles of Legal Administrative Assistants 4. Client Interaction - Serving as a primary point of contact between clients and the legal team, managing communications, and scheduling meetings. - Legal administrative assistants handle client inquiries, maintain confidentiality, and ensure a professional interaction between clients and the legal team .

9. Roles of Legal Administrative Assistants 5. Legal Research - Conducting basic legal research to support attorneys in case preparation. - This may include researching legal precedents, statutes, and regulations, and summarizing findings for the legal team .

10. Professional Behaviors of Legal Administrative Assistants 1 . Confidentiality - Maintaining strict confidentiality is critical as legal administrative assistants handle sensitive information daily. - They must adhere to office policies on information security and ensure that client information is never disclosed improperly .

11. Professional Behaviors of Legal Administrative Assistants 2. Attention to Detail - Legal documents require precision and accuracy; even minor errors can have significant consequences. -Legal administrative assistants must carefully review all documents for accuracy, consistency, and compliance with legal standards .

12. Professional Behaviors of Legal Administrative Assistants 3. Time Management - The legal profession is fast-paced, with multiple tasks often needing to be completed under tight deadlines. - Legal administrative assistants must prioritize tasks effectively, manage time efficiently, and avoid delays in completing their duties .

13. Professional Behaviors of Legal Administrative Assistants 4. Professionalism - A high level of professionalism is expected in the legal field, not just in appearance but also in behavior. - This includes dressing appropriately, communicating clearly and respectfully, and maintaining a composed demeanor in high-pressure situations .

14. Professional Behaviors of Legal Administrative Assistants 5. Ethical Conduct - Ethical behavior is non-negotiable in the legal profession. - Legal administrative assistants must understand and follow ethical guidelines, avoid conflicts of interest, and report any unethical conduct .

15. Responsibilities of Legal Administrative Assistants 1. Document Management - Managing and organizing legal documents, ensuring they are properly filed and easily accessible. - This includes creating and maintaining both physical and digital filing systems, indexing documents, and ensuring that all case files are current .

16. Responsibilities of Legal Administrative Assistants 2. Court Filing and Procedures - Handling the submission of legal documents to courts and other regulatory bodies. - Legal administrative assistants ensure that filings are completed on time, follow the specific procedures required by different courts, and manage any associated fees .

17. Responsibilities of Legal Administrative Assistants 3. Billing and Accounting Support - Assisting with billing processes, including preparing invoices and tracking billable hours. - They may prepare billing statements, track expenses, and manage payments to ensure that the law firm’s financial records are accurate .

18. Responsibilities of Legal Administrative Assistants 4. Communication Management - Facilitating communication within the legal team, and between the team and clients, courts, or other entities. - This includes drafting and sending emails, managing phone calls, and coordinating meetings or conference calls .

19. Responsibilities of Legal Administrative Assistants 5. Legal Software and Technology Utilizing specialized legal software for case management, document drafting, and legal research. Legal administrative assistants are often responsible for managing case management systems, using e-filing platforms, and navigating legal research databases .

20. Responsibilities of Legal Administrative Assistants 6. Supporting Legal Research Conducting preliminary research to assist attorneys with case preparation. This includes gathering information from legal databases, summarizing legal texts, and preparing research briefs .

21. References: Administrative Support: Legal Career Pathways, "Legal Administrative Assistant Roles," 2023 . Document Preparation: American Bar Association, "The Importance of Legal Document Accuracy," 2023 . Case Management: Law Practice Today, "Effective Legal Case Management," 2023 . Client Interaction: The Balance Careers, "Client Relations in Legal Settings," 2022 . Legal Research: Legal Research and Writing Handbook, "The Role of Legal Assistants in Research," 2023 . Confidentiality : Law Office Procedures Manual, "Confidentiality in Legal Practice," 2022 . Attention to Detail: The Paralegal's Guide to Legal Writing, "Importance of Precision in Legal Documents," 2023 . Time Management: Legal Assistant Today, "Managing Time Effectively in Legal Roles," 2023 . Professionalism : ABA Journal, "Professionalism in the Legal Workplace," 2023.Ethical Conduct: Legal Ethics for Support Staff, "Guidelines for Ethical Behavior in Law Offices," 2022.Document Management: Legal Office Management Techniques, "Organizing Legal Documents Efficiently," 2023.Court Filing: Court Rules and Procedures, "Filing Legal Documents: A Guide for Assistants," 2023.Billing and Accounting: Legal Billing Practices, "Assisting with Legal Billing and Accounting," 2023.Communication Management: Law Office Communication Skills, "Effective Communication in Legal Settings," 2023.Legal Software: Technology in Legal Practice, "Using Legal Software Efficiently," 2023.Supporting Legal Research: Legal Research Handbook, "Roles of Legal