A Legal Assistant is responsible for keeping legal matters running smoothly; preparing documents, managing files, coordinating deadlines, supporting lawyers with matter administration, and assisting with client communication. In many firms, Legal Assistants play a key role in practice management, billing support and day-to-day workflow coordination.
Legal Assistant recruitment involves connecting law firms with support professionals who understand legal workflows, documentation standards and the fast-paced demands of modern practice. At MJD Recruitment, we specialise exclusively in legal support recruitment, placing Legal Assistants with the capability, communication skills and attention to detail required to thrive in high-performance legal environments.
Are you a candidate actively or passively in the job market, looking to secure or be informed about new opportunities that would complement your experience as a Legal Assistant, Legal Secretary or Legal EA? Are you an employer looking for one of the top Legal Assistant recruitment agencies that can represent you proficiently in sourcing the perfect next addition to your team?
MJD Recruitment is a specialist recruitment agency with dedicated offices in Sydney and Melbourne who effectively recruit for and assist job seeking Legal Assistants across Australia. With 80 years of combined experience recruiting in the legal support market, we understand just how imperative it is to engage high performing individuals in this role.
Our team are regarded as recruitment experts across the professional services sector and have a particularly in-depth understanding of legal support roles, with exceptional networks across well regarded firms and with candidates. Our Managing Director has an ongoing ‘soft spot’ for legal support recruitment, having specialised in the sector for over a decade.
Many of our highly experienced Consultants continue to choose a specialisation in office support recruitment because they understand just how business critical these roles are. The right support staff provide a level of comfort to their teams that allows focus on more strategic matters.
How can our streamlined recruitment process maximise efficiency for you and your team?
Save time and resources with our simple 3-step process:
Hiring the right Legal Assistant requires an understanding of legal support workflows, practice area nuances, software systems and the varying expectations across firms. Our specialist consultants assess capability, communication style, attention to detail and legal support experience to present only high-performing candidates who fit your team’s needs.
We dedicate time and resources ensuring that we are across the ‘best of the best’ Paralegals in the marketplace. Many of the roles that we recruit for are filled with candidates that come via referrals, our networks across the legal industry at so many different levels keep us informed about stand out talent.
Regarded as trusted & knowledgeable advisors, we go beyond recruitment support for our network of candidates. The candidate experience starts with the recruitment agency and receiving career advice from specialists with over 80 years of experience in legal support, builds immediate trust and respect for your brand.
We are incredibly proud to be working with some of Australia’s top tier firms and respected organisations who regard our invaluable insight and real market knowledge when hiring Paralegals. 80% of the clients that we work with are a result of personal recommendations from existing business and career partners. With an adaptable, consultative approach we work alongside internal HR teams and run the entire recruitment process for others.
Legal Assistant roles vary widely across the legal sector, offering opportunities to work within boutique practices, mid-tier firms and large national organisations. Depending on your interests, we recruit for roles that focus on Partner support, team-based administration, document production, client coordination or practice management. This variety allows candidates to explore different environments and progress their careers in directions that best align with their strengths and ambitions.
While you can easily put out a legal assistant job description, if you’re looking for someone with talent and experience, you’re better off turning to a legal recruitment agency in Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane.
We’re not just dedicated to finding something to fill your job vacancy; we’re committed to finding the right person to fill the role. We have an extensive network of candidates, and we won’t stop searching until we’ve found the ideal person for your organisation. When you’re ready to hire a legal assistant, we ensure your unique job requirements are met every time.
At MJD Recruitment , we understand that a workplace is a rich environment of personalities. Therefore, we want to make sure the person you hire meets all your professional requirements and has a personality that will fit the office culture well.
Recruitment is a lengthy, time-consuming process. You’ll need to sort through resumes and cover letters, do some head-hunting, organise interviews, screen references, and work out all the internal logistics of bringing on a new person. So let us take the majority of that stress off your plate so you can focus on making your new recruit welcome.
If an executive or senior officer has stepped down or retired, you’ll likely need someone to fill the role quickly. That’s where legal recruitment agencies in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, like MJD Recruitment, come in. We’ll search our extensive network of candidates for someone to step up and take on the role quickly and professionally.
There are a few commonly made yet easily avoidable mistakes people make when looking for and applying for legal admin jobs in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.
A Legal Assistant supports lawyers with the day-to-day legal work that keeps matters moving, drafting documents, managing files, tracking deadlines and coordinating communication with clients and courts. In most firms they handle document preparation, matter administration, billing support and general practice management so fee earners can focus on legal strategy and client outcomes.
A specialist Legal Assistant recruitment agency already knows the market, the talent and what “good” looks like in legal support. Instead of sorting through dozens of generic applications, you get a shortlist of vetted Legal Assistants with proven experience in your practice area, your software stack and your style of firm. It saves time, improves culture fit and lowers the risk of a mis-hire.
Most law firms look for Legal Assistants with strong document preparation skills, accurate file management, an understanding of legal terminology, excellent communication skills and the ability to manage competing deadlines. Experience using practice management systems (including Actionstep, Smokeball, LEAP, Open Practice, iManage and more) , billing support tools and workflow software is also highly regarded.
Legal Assistants typically focus on administration and practice support, managing files, preparing documents, scheduling and client coordination. Legal Secretaries often sit very close to a Partner or team and may take on more diary, billing and client liaison duties. Paralegals usually perform more substantive legal work such as legal research, drafting basic pleadings or preparing briefs. Many firms blend these titles, so we take a detailed brief to understand exactly what you need.
At MJD Recruitment, we specialise in recruiting Legal Assistants across all levels and practice areas within boutique, mid-tier, and top-tier law firms. Our expertise covers roles supporting Partners, Senior Associates, and broader legal teams across areas such as corporate law, litigation, property, family, and banking and finance. We recruit for both permanent and temporary Legal Assistant positions, tailoring each search to match the unique structure, pace, and culture of our clients’ practices. Whether you’re seeking a career-starting Legal Assistant or an experienced professional ready to step into a more senior, client-facing role, MJD Recruitment connects firms with exceptional talent who bring strong legal knowledge, document management expertise, and proactive organisational support.
Recruiting a Legal Assistant through MJD Recruitment begins with a detailed consultation to understand your firm’s structure, practice area, and workflow requirements. Our consultants then identify and assess candidates based on their legal experience, document management skills, software proficiency, and ability to support fee earners in a fast-paced environment. We conduct in-depth interviews, skills testing, and reference checks to ensure technical competency and cultural alignment. Whether you require support for a Partner, team, or department, we present candidates who match your exact needs and provide ongoing support after placement, including regular check-ins to ensure a smooth transition and long-term success.
MJD Recruitment is recognised as one of Sydney’s most reliable legal recruitment agencies due to our deep specialisation, long-standing industry relationships, and people-first approach. For over a decade, we’ve partnered with boutique, mid-tier, and top-tier law firms to source high-performing Legal Secretaries, Legal Assistants, and other legal support professionals. Our consultants have hands-on experience in legal recruitment, allowing us to understand the nuances of different practice areas, firm cultures, and workflow demands. We combine this insight with a rigorous screening process, market knowledge, and ongoing post-placement support to ensure every match is both technically strong and culturally aligned — building lasting partnerships between firms and their legal support talent.
Yes. We regularly place Legal Assistants in full-time permanent roles and also support firms with temp-to-perm transitions. Our focus is on finding candidates who bring value from day one and who are looking to contribute to your practice over the long term.
Yes, we recruit Legal Assistants for both temporary and permanent positions. Many law firms rely on temporary Legal Assistants to support workload peaks, extended leave cover or urgent project needs, while others seek long-term team members who can grow within the practice. We work closely with each employer to understand whether a temporary, contract or permanent solution is the best fit, and match candidates accordingly. For job seekers, this means access to a wide range of opportunities depending on your availability, preferences and career goals.
We always have a variety of Legal Assistant roles available in Sydney through MJD Recruitment — ranging from entry-level through to senior positions across boutique, mid-tier, and top-tier law firms. Some roles are publicly posted on our Current Jobs page, while others remain confidential due to client discretion. The best way to stay ahead of new opportunities is to submit your resume and register with us, so we can alert you as soon as a role matching your legal experience and aspirations becomes available.
Qualifications and experience requirements for Legal Assistant positions can vary depending on the size and focus of the firm, but most employers look for a combination of formal training and hands-on experience within a legal environment. Typically, candidates hold a Certificate III or IV in Business Administration (Legal), a Diploma of Legal Services, or relevant tertiary studies in law or business. Experience supporting lawyers, managing documents, preparing correspondence, and assisting with billing or file management is highly valued. Proficiency in legal software such as LEAP, Affinity, Aderant, Elite 3E, or iManage, along with strong Microsoft Office skills, is often essential. While entry-level roles may only require administrative experience and a strong interest in law, more senior Legal Assistant positions generally demand several years of experience in a specific practice area and the ability to operate with autonomy and professionalism in a fast-paced legal environment.
MJD Recruitment can help you find Legal Assistant roles that align with your legal skills, experience, and career goals through a personalised and consultative approach. Our consultants conduct in-depth interviews to understand your background, areas of legal expertise, preferred practice types, and ideal firm environment. We also take detailed briefings from our clients including boutique, mid-tier, and top-tier law firms to identify the specific skills, software knowledge, and support structures they require. This insight allows us to connect you with roles that match not only your technical abilities but also your working style and long-term aspirations. By registering with MJD Recruitment, you gain access to both advertised and confidential opportunities, along with ongoing guidance throughout your job search and placement process.
Yes. We place Legal Assistants across Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. Our local consultants work closely with law firms in each city and can support your next move into a firm that values your legal expertise and working style.
