Interested in working in the legal profession but don’t want to be a lawyer? Then, consider training and pursuing a career as a Legal Executive. We are seeing an increase in demand for experienced and talented Legal Executives throughout New Zealand.
What is a Legal Executive?
A Legal Executive is someone who works in a legal setting as a trained assistant to a lawyer. Generally, most have the New Zealand Diploma in Legal Executive Studies. Or otherwise its predecessor, the New Zealand Law Society Legal Executive qualification and join as a member of the New Zealand Institute of Legal Executives.
Despite not being qualified lawyers, Legal Executives are nevertheless less skilled and knowledgeable in a variety of legal areas. Legal Executives work extremely hard, but most importantly, Law Firms couldn’t do without them!
Legal Executives are experts in one or more areas of the law. Therefore, they handle a wide range of legal matters under appropriate supervision. They typically specialise in one or more of the following:
1. residential and/or commercial conveyancing,
2. estate administration,
3. trust formation and administration,
4. estate planning,
5. some aspects of litigation.
Why become a Legal Executive?
It is the perfect opportunity to work in an exciting varied industry. Moreover, Legal Executives with experience can achieve a high level of autonomy and independence. Their work involves people and necessitates the same high ethical standards as lawyers. In addition, they are told many things in confidence and must use tact, sympathy, patience. They also solve problems and provide appropriate advice to clients.
What skills do Legal Executives need?
Legal Executives are of course, required to be honest, reliable and trustworthy. In fact they must be willing to observe all the rules and ethics of the legal profession. They need to have a good:
1. Knowledge of legislation and regulations
2. Understanding of legal terms and methods
3. Knowledge of how to prepare legal documents
4. Legal research skills
5. Communication and interpersonal skills.
6. Analytical and problem-solving skills.
7. Negotiation skills.
8. Attention to detail.
9. Organisation skills with the ability to prioritise tasks effectively.
10. The ability to work well as part of a team.
How to become a Legal Executive:
First, we strongly recommend that you find employment in a law-related or property-related environment while you are studying. Law Firms look for both qualifications and experience when hiring new Legal Executives into their teams. At this time you can currently study for The New Zealand Diploma in Legal Executive Studies at the Open Polytechnic. Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology offers the diploma also. Both are taught via distance learning so that it fits in with full-time employment.
Opportunities in the Legal Executive Sector:
Tyler Wren are specialists in legal recruitment. So, here is a snapshot of the roles Tyler Wren are actively recruiting for:
To register your interest in our current or future Legal Executive roles contact us.
Give us a call if you know of anyone who is looking for a new opportunity. If we successfully place the person you have referred you will receive a $600 referral voucher!