Good news: You don’t need a law degree to build a rewarding career in law.
Legal assistant and immigration case manager are two in-demand roles that allow you to work in the legal industry without becoming a lawyer. These professionals play a vital role in law firms, corporate legal departments, and government agencies, handling tasks like document preparation, client communication, and case management.
In this post, we explore two prosperous jobs in the legal field that don’t require you to go to law school. We’ll cover what legal assistants and immigration case managers do, the skills they need to succeed, and the career growth opportunities they have.
Keep reading to see if these career paths make sense for you.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Why Pursue a Legal Career Without Law School?
- Career #1: Legal Assistant
- Career #2: Immigration Case Manager
- A Special Case: Paralegals in Ontario
- Future Outlook for Legal Support Careers
- How to Get Started in Legal Careers Without a Law Degree
WHY PURSUE A LEGAL CAREER WITHOUT LAW SCHOOL?
Entering the legal field without getting a law degree can be a great option for those who are passionate about law but don’t want to invest the time, money, or effort required to become an attorney.
One major benefit is the ability to enter the workforce much faster. Positions like legal assistant and immigration case manager can be had with less than a year of college training, allowing you to start your career in a fraction of the time it takes to complete law school.
And it’s not like you’d miss out on a sense of fulfillment or intellectual engagement. Legal professionals who are not attorneys can still work on meaningful cases, conduct legal research, draft legal documents, and assist with litigation. Plus, they can often choose to specialize in specific areas, such as corporate law, family law, or real estate law.
Another advantage is flexibility. Legal support roles often provide better work-life balance compared to being a lawyer, as the hours are typically less demanding.
Ultimately, going this route lets you enjoy many of the benefits of legal work without the burdens associated with becoming a lawyer.
CAREER #1: LEGAL ASSISTANT
Legal assistants help to free up lawyers’ time by handling essential administrative and support functions. They deal with communications, organization, legal work, and general office administration.
Typical Tasks
- Managing and organizing files
- Scheduling meetings and court dates
- Handling phone calls and emails
- Drafting or proofreading legal documents such as deeds, wills, and affidavits
- Conducting basic legal research
- Processing billing
- Communicating with clients
Read more: What Does a Legal Assistant Do?
Required Skills
Legal assistants should be polite and professional, with strong organizational and time management skills. Communication skills, both written and verbal, are crucial. It’s also important to understand legal terminology, be comfortable with Microsoft Office software, pay attention to detail, and maintain confidentiality.
“A large part of our job includes proofreading documents and catching errors! You need to be focused and meticulous,” says Nicole Page, who spent many years as a legal assistant at courthouses and private law firms.
“Also, legal assistants typically deal a lot with clients. You need to have good customer service skills and strong conflict resolution skills, and be good at communicating with people from all walks of life.”
Career Opportunities
Wherever there are lawyers, there are legal assistants. Opportunities can be found in law firms, corporate legal departments, government agencies, courthouses, real estate companies, and financial institutions.
“Most legal assistants find their first job at a law firm,” says Nicole. “Family, real estate, and wills and estates seem to be some of the most common areas. Some grads get hired at a courthouse, either provincial or federal, but this is less common.”
Paying attention to details is a critical part of a legal assistant’s role
CAREER #2: IMMIGRATION CASE MANAGER
Immigration case managers help people with visa applications, residency, and citizenship processes. They support the work of immigration lawyers or consultants by handling the administrative tasks involved in moving an application forward.
Typical Tasks
- Working with clients to complete application forms
- Researching case law and legal precedent
- Maintaining and organizing case files
- Communicating with government agencies
- Drafting submission letters
- Managing deadlines
- Tracking application status and providing updates to clients
Read more: What Does an Immigration Case Manager Do?
Required Skills
Immigration case managers obviously need a strong understanding of Canadian immigration laws and procedures. They also need top-notch organizational and time management skills along with a keen eye for detail.
“You need to be able to do multiple things at the same time, but still do them all well. It is essential to know how to prioritize tasks,” says immigration case manager Bonnie Tyler.
“You must always be thorough in everything you do, whether that’s performing research, completing a form, drafting a submission, or just emailing a client back. Attention to detail is everything.”
Career Opportunities
Immigration case managers can find work with immigration consulting businesses, law firms, settlement agencies, and non-profit organizations. Global companies that have their own immigration counsel frequently hire immigration case managers as well.
Immigration case managers help newcomers settle in Canada
A SPECIAL CASE: PARALEGALS IN ONTARIO
In most areas of Canada, paralegal and legal assistant are essentially interchangeable terms. Both work in a legal profession under the supervision of lawyers and can focus on any area: family law, criminal law, intellectual property law, copyright law, corporate law, etc. Neither are permitted to give legal advice or represent clients in court.
In Ontario, however, paralegals can pass a licensing exam that allows them to represent clients independently (like a lawyer) for certain legal matters. They can start their own private legal practice and represent clients in small claims court, traffic court, and tribunals, and for some criminal matters.
Paralegals are regulated by the Law Society of Ontario, the same body that sets rules and standards for lawyers in the province. Aspiring paralegals who want to take the licensing exam must complete accredited paralegal training and submit an application to the Law Society.
However, not all Ontario paralegals choose to become licensed. Some decide to become legal assistants. That’s because licensed paralegals can only practise in the legal areas mentioned above, while becoming a legal assistant lets you explore other areas of law.
Licensed paralegals in Ontario can start their own practices
FUTURE OUTLOOK FOR LEGAL SUPPORT CAREERS
Legal assistants and other support staff are essential for handling the administrative burden and helping lawyers manage heavy caseloads efficiently.
According to the Government of Canada Job Bank, legal administrative assistants have a moderate-to-good outlook in every province through 2026, with the strongest prospects in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario. Ontario alone expects 2,600 openings in this field over the next few years.
Herzing career services specialist Caroline Glowatski sees consistently strong demand for the college’s legal assistant graduates.
“Our legals are scooped up like nothing,” she says. “We don’t have a lot going out, but we probably have three to five employers per week contacting us directly for either interns or positions. Our grades are scooped up immediately, usually from their internship, because there are so few of them.”
And while the immigration industry has been in a bit of turmoil lately, Canada still plans to welcome more than half a million newcomers annually moving forward. That spells opportunity for immigration case managers.
“With Canada continuing to welcome hundreds of thousands of new immigrants every year, the industry just keeps getting bigger,” says immigration consultant Cassandra Fultz. “There are more immigration consultants and lawyers than ever before. And as their practices grow, they need the support of knowledgeable immigration case managers to help manage the caseload.”
HOW TO GET STARTED IN LEGAL CAREERS WITHOUT A LAW DEGREE
College-level programs can give you the skills you need to land an entry-level role in the legal administration field. You can typically finish a program in well under two years and be ready to hit the job market.
Here are some tips to help you find that first position:
- Use LinkedIn to connect with law firms, recruiters, and professionals in the field.
- Highlight relevant coursework, internships, and legal skills on your resume, and be sure to tailor it to each job you apply for.
- Have your resume reviewed by industry insiders (if possible) or college career services specialists to make sure you’re putting your best foot forward.
- Consider temp agencies specializing in legal staffing to gain quick experience.
PREPARE FOR A JOB IN THE LEGAL FIELD WITHOUT A DEGREE
Herzing College’s legal assistant and immigration case manager programs are each just nine months long. What’s more, both programs include internships that give you real work experience before you graduate. That’s immensely helpful for building contacts and getting your foot in the door of a law office or other setting. In many cases, students get hired directly from their internships.
Click below to learn more about our programs and chat live with a knowledgeable admissions advisor. We’re here to help!
