Agriculture Legal Assistant
Agriculture legal assistants cannot give legal advice or represent individuals in court, but they play an important role in providing support for supervising lawyers as they prepare for litigation (the process of taking legal action). They draft contracts and other legal documents to submit to a lawyer for review. Additionally, they perform legal research, which might include reviewing documentation and performing interviews that will support arguments in the court setting or in legal briefs.
What Responsibilities Will I Have?
- Draft contracts and other legal documents to submit to a lawyer for review
- Perform legal research that will support arguments in the court setting
- Provide administrative support to the lawyer and/or office as needed
- Travel to farms or job sites to take photo documentation and conduct interviews
- Assist in real estate closings, contract writing, filing articles of incorporation and partnership agreements
- Edit documents thoroughly
- Provide exceptional customer service to clients
- Conduct preliminary interviews of clients and/or witnesses
- Take courses to expand knowledge and capabilities
- Keep cases organized by establishing a system for organizing files and documents
- Record and prepare notes on court sessions, meetings and conferences
- File and manage electronic contracts
- Draft correspondence to outside counsels and third parties
- Contact clients to discuss areas of concern and solve problems
- Assist in budgeting and invoice management
- Provide assistance in meeting planning and booking travel
- Answer and direct phone calls and respond to emails
Recommended High School Courses:
- agricultural education
- business
- English
- writing
- public speaking
- debate
- computer skills
Education/Training Required:
Becoming an agriculture legal assistant requires an associate or bachelor’s degree in a related field such as agricultural law, political science, law, legal studies or a related field. Though not always required, some states may require a certificate, license or continued education to use certain titles such as “paralegal.”
