Investigation into Legal Assistant Employment in Murfreesboro, TN

The Profession of Legal Assistant

Following years of growth in the technology sector, the legal profession is rapidly becoming an increasing source of job opportunities. Perhaps no city is benefiting from this growth more than Murfreesboro, TN. For example, the legal assistant job opportunities in Murfreesboro, Tennessee have made it one of the fastest growing employment markets in the country for legal professionals.
Legal assistants play a vital role in the management of law firms. They often handle a variety of tasks, such as billing, client care, and research. In many cases, legal assistants often have specific responsibilities across departments; those who handle family work, for instance, would be responsible for coordinating client meetings, ensuring that the attorneys in the department are properly prepared, and general administrative work. In contrast, legal assistants who are positioned in litigation could be responsible for conducting research , coordinating witnesses and other parties involved in sacrifice or trial, organizing files, and preparing correspondence. Regardless of their departmental responsibilities, organizations require that legal assistants maintain confidentiality at all times.
While there is no single defined career path to becoming a legal assistant, most follow a similar course: In general, aspiring legal assistants will pursue an associate’s degree, and some may even continue their education with bachelor’s or master’s degrees. In addition, legal assistants must complete additional training in the form of internships. Some go on to pursue certification, as well. Finally, legal assistants tend to have significant customer service and organizational experience, which comes from positions such as those in retail or customer care. Legal assistants should also possess strong written and spoken communication skills.

Employment Market Trends in Murfreesboro, TN

The current job market for legal assistants in Murfreesboro, TN is robust and expanding. Legal assistant jobs are particularly strong now because of the increased demand for legal services created in part by new regulations and demands under law such as the 2010 Affordable Care Act and reforms in the areas of bankruptcy and personal injury caused by the 2008 recession. Legal assistant position openings are created through a combination of factors including annual turnover and retirements, also 20% of all legal assistant jobs (with no law firm) are at private corporations and government agencies.
As to geographic region, The Mid-South area including Nashville, TN has been slight underperforming relative to other large state economies like Atlanta and Charlotte but nevertheless has seen improvements in a slow growing economy. Because of the steady increase in the size of the legal services industry in the area, that bodes well for overall demand for legal assistants.
In terms of industry, larger private law firms dominate as employers for legal assistants within the area. More than 60% of legal assistants in the area are employed by private law firms. There is a small contingent of legal assistants working in the commercial, health and insurance sectors of the private industry. They primarily work in insurance and healthcare corporations.
Networking events, accessing graduate programs that offer career-oriented legal expertise and participating in more frequent community events such as seminars are all ways that employers in the area are connecting with the legal assistant talent pool.

Requirements for Legal Assistants

To work as a legal assistant in Murfreesboro, candidates must generally hold at least an associate’s degree upon completion of a legal assistant or paralegal education program. Additionally, more and more employers are seeking to hire legal assistants who have earned the certification offered by the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA). This certification test includes two components: the certification exam and a skills certification. Candidates for the skills certification must also hold at least an associate’s degree. In addition, candidates must possess sound general computer skills, typing skills, and an understanding of other office procedures. An eye for detail is also very important. For legal assistants in Murfreesboro, the following institutions offer highly regarded paralegal programs: • Middle Tennessee State University, 1301 E. Main St., PO Box 27, Murfreesboro, TN 37132 • Daymar Institute, 1035 Minerva Dr., Murfreesboro, TN 37130 • Nossi College of Art, 4210 Hillsboro Pike, Nashville TN 37215.

Top Companies in Murfreesboro Hiring Legal Assistant Professionals

The top employers in the Murfreesboro area for legal assistants fall into three categories: law firms, corporations and government agencies. The employers listed below are among the leaders in the legal field in the area and in the state.
Law Firm Employers
Many law firms in the Murfreesboro area actively recruit legal assistants for jobs in their law offices. While most lawyers in private practice throughout the United States do not hire paralegals, law firms must do so to remain competitive. The law offices that hire legal assistants in the Murfreesboro area include Jones, Hawley, & Ward, PLC, which is general practice firm serving clients from Williamson, Davidson, and Rutherford Counties in Middle Tennessee. The law firm of Cornelius & Collins PLC concentrates on family law. The attorneys at Cummings, Manookian, Landau & Cummings specialize in estate planning and probate law.
Corporate Legal Assistant Employers
Murfreesboro has a number of corporate employers with company headquarters or branches that hire legal assistants to work in their legal departments . The Legal Team at AscellaHealth is committed to protecting the company’s interests by providing analysis and foresight on industry trends that affect the business. Yard Dog, Inc. hires legal assistants to help protect the company’s intellectual property. Servcor, Inc. provides training, consulting, and engineering services companies in the defense industry.
Governmental Legal Assistant Employers
City governments, county governments and state governments often hire legal assistants to work for the city attorney, the city district attorney, the county attorney and the state attorney general. The City Court of Murfreesboro hires legal assistants to work in the court system. The Public Defender’s Office in Murfreesboro hires legal assistants to work in its office to ensure that defendants receive effective defense counsel. The State of Tennessee Department of Human Services hires legal assistants to work in its office in the area.

Compensation and Career Development

While salaries can vary based on a number of factors, including experience, qualifications, the size and specialty of the law firm, and the complexity of cases handled, legal assistant salaries in Murfreesboro fall within a typical range. As of recent data, the average salary for a legal assistant in Tennessee is approximately $46,500 per year, which gives legal assistants in Murfreesboro a competitive earning potential within the state. In other parts of the United States, legal assistants earn an average annual salary of $58,300, which means Murfreesboro’s salaries are approximately 20% lower than the national average. When combined with Tennessee’s lower cost of living, this adjustment makes the prospect of working as a legal assistant in Murfreesboro attractive to those interested in joining this profession.
Factors such as experience and skills are key determinants for salary levels. A legal assistant with years of relevant work experience and additional certifications, such as becoming a Certified Paralegal (CP) or obtaining an Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies, can command a higher salary as they advance their careers. Additionally, legal assistants become more highly valued as they develop specialized skills in high-demand areas of law, such as intellectual property, corporate law, family law, or personal injury.
The legal assistant career is subject to growth. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for legal assistants and paralegals is expected to rise by 12% nationwide from 2022 to 2032, which means job opportunities for legal assistants in Murfreesboro, TN, specifically, will likely continue to grow as well. Legally trained professionals will always be in demand to provide assistance to lawyers in various settings, so starting a legal assistant career can be a stable choice for the future.

Advice on Landing a Position as a Legal Assistant

To begin, you should review the current job openings for legal assistants to see the skills and qualifications necessary to even be considered. You may find that not all of the requirements are needed or you can acquire the desired skills before you apply for the position. You may also find that some firms in the area are more selective than others, making networking and relationships more important for your success.
Additionally, by putting yourself out there, you will have the chance to network with firms and other candidates in the area. One way to do this is to attend networking events or associations for those in the legal services field. You may also want to network with attorneys in town to hear about any potential openings or connections they may have within the legal community. Even reaching out to teachers at your college or training center can help you learn more about open positions or firms that are looking. By building connections , you have someone who will refer you for a position rather than just send your resume into the ether with hundreds of others.
Another important part of finding a legal assistant job is ensuring you build your resume properly. In addition to the typical skills expected of a legal assistant (such as attention to detail and typing skills), it can be important to tailor your resume specifically to the position you are interested in. When you apply for a position online, your resume will likely first be vetted by a computer and specific keywords allow it to pass through. Therefore, including specific terms used in the job listing may be helpful to show your qualifications.