Herzing Blog

Legal assistants are highly skilled administrators who are an important part of the legal team.

In addition to maintaining files and scheduling appointments, they help prepare legal documents like statements of claim, petitions for divorce, wills, and transfers of land and mortgages. They may also assist a lawyer with case research.

In other words, they keep legal offices running smoothly. But it seems there aren’t enough of them to go around.

Considering a career in this field? Below, we explore the factors behind the growing demand for legal assistants and explain what you need to know about training, skills, earnings, and career opportunities.

Updated January 2023

If you’re interested in law, good with people, detail-oriented and organized, legal assistant could be an ideal career path.

It’s an excellent time to become a legal assistant in Manitoba. Strong employment growth and waves of retirements are creating jobs in this field in every part of the province. 

You don’t need a university degree, and college legal assistant programs are relatively quick. 

So, how do you get started? What’s involved in becoming a legal assistant?  And most importantly, how do you know if this career is right for you? 

Photo: Nicole Page, Legal Assistant instructor at Herzing College Winnipeg

Looking for a legal career that doesn't require years of university study? Have excellent communication and organizational skills, and can see yourself thriving in a busy law office?

Legal assistant could be the profession you're looking for. Legal assistants work under lawyer supervision, providing valuable support with case preparation, drafting documents, scheduling clients, and running the legal office.

They work at courthouses, private law firms, real estate firms, corporate legal departments, and government agencies. You can specialize in a particular area of law, or work at a firm that provides services in several legal areas.

Are you a good fit for this role? Should you consider legal assistant training?

This week, we interviewed Nicole Page to find out what is involved in becoming a legal assistant and what to expect at work.

Legal assistant students in class at Herzing College Winnipeg

Updated December 2022

Consider this your road map to becoming a legal assistant. We put this checklist together for anyone who is considering this career, and wants a clear picture of what to expect, right from day one. 

Legal assistant training is an incredibly popular diploma program. There's no doubt that the rise of courtroom dramas (like Scandal, How To Get Away With Murder, and The Good Wife) play a huge part in this trend.

Updated January 2023

What draws students to legal assistant training instead of say, a business administration program? Why choose this career over other positions that also focus on office management?

Updated January 2023

The job market for legal assistants in Winnipeg is booming. The latest report from the Government of Canada Job Bank shows strong growth for this occupation in the Manitoba over the next few years.

College-level training is the fastest, most effective way to secure entry-level legal assistant positions at law firms, corporate legal departments, government offices, municipal, provincial, federal courts, and more.

And there is no shortage of legal diploma programs available to students who want to capitalize on available job opportunities in Winnipeg. But which attributes should they look for when comparing schools? What key markers of quality are most important to consider when choosing a legal assistant program?

While narrowing down the options, students should be careful to notice—and ask about—these following five indicators of a reliable legal assistant program.