Legal Assistant Jobs in District of Columbia
Legal Assistant jobs in District of Columbia are among the most active in the country, concentrated in federal law, government contracting, lobbying, and regulatory practice across Washington, D.C. Most openings cluster in D.C. proper, with additional demand in adjacent Northern Virginia and suburban Maryland corridors, where firms like Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, Covington & Burling, and the U.S. Department of Justice consistently hire. The most sought-after specialties are federal litigation support, administrative law, and government contracts. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Dentons US LLP is currently recruiting for a Legal Administrative Assistant for our Washington, DC office. This position will provide administrative support to Litigation lawyers in a highly collaborative working environment. This position is hybrid with a three-day in-office requirement.
Responsibilities
- Responsible for document preparation, editing, file maintenance, and client billing
- Work with timekeepers, input time entry, file electronic court filings, pleadings, and process mail
- Client contact in person and over the phone
- Travel arrangements and reimbursements
- Handles administrative confidential/sensitive firm and/or client information
- These duties may be ongoing or ad-hoc in nature
- Other duties as may be assigned to fully meet the requirements for this position
Experience & Qualifications
- Minimum 5 years’ Litigation secretarial experience in a mid to large sized law firm
- Must be proficient in legal secretarial and administrative tasks including, but not limited to, document preparation, filing, time entry, expenses, telephone contact, travel arrangements, and calendar maintenance
- Must be familiar with state and federal court rules
- Ability to support attorneys across practice groups, as well as multiple attorney assignments at one time.
- Exceptional organizational skills, attention to detail, ability to prioritize, and work independently. Ability to work in a high-volume environment
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills and excellent client service
- Must be proficient in MS Word, Outlook (including utilization of styles and pleading to format documents), Excel, and PowerPoint; have the ability to learn and quickly become proficient in new computer software programs
- Excellent written and oral communication and solid organizational skills
- Must be detail-oriented, able to handle multiple tasks simultaneously, have the ability to prioritize incoming/outgoing tasks, and work effectively independently and within a team
- Availability for overtime is required
Salary
Pursuant with states' laws, the salary range for this position is $78,000 - $98,000, based on experience and local market.
Dentons US LLP offers a competitive salary and benefits package including medical, dental, vision, 401k, profit sharing, short-term/long-term disability, life insurance, tuition reimbursement, paid time off, paid holidays and discretionary bonuses.
Dentons US LLP is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Disability/Vet. Pursuant to local ordinances, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
If you need any assistance seeking a job opportunity at Dentons US, LLP, or if you need reasonable accommodation with the application process, please call our Talent Acquisition Specialist at +1 314 259 5898 or contact us at dentonsusstaffrecruitment@dentons.com.
About Dentons
Redefining possibilities. Together, everywhere. For more information visit www.dentons.com
Dentons US LLP is currently recruiting for a Legal Administrative Assistant for our Washington, DC office. This position will provide administrative support to Litigation lawyers in a highly collaborative working environment. This position is hybrid with a three-day in-office requirement.
Responsibilities
- Responsible for document preparation, editing, file maintenance, and client billing
- Work with timekeepers, input time entry, file electronic court filings, pleadings, and process mail
- Client contact in person and over the phone
- Travel arrangements and reimbursements
- Handles administrative confidential/sensitive firm and/or client information
- These duties may be ongoing or ad-hoc in nature
- Other duties as may be assigned to fully meet the requirements for this position
Experience & Qualifications
- Minimum 5 years’ Litigation secretarial experience in a mid to large sized law firm
- Must be proficient in legal secretarial and administrative tasks including, but not limited to, document preparation, filing, time entry, expenses, telephone contact, travel arrangements, and calendar maintenance
- Must be familiar with state and federal court rules
- Ability to support attorneys across practice groups, as well as multiple attorney assignments at one time.
- Exceptional organizational skills, attention to detail, ability to prioritize, and work independently. Ability to work in a high-volume environment
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills and excellent client service
- Must be proficient in MS Word, Outlook (including utilization of styles and pleading to format documents), Excel, and PowerPoint; have the ability to learn and quickly become proficient in new computer software programs
- Excellent written and oral communication and solid organizational skills
- Must be detail-oriented, able to handle multiple tasks simultaneously, have the ability to prioritize incoming/outgoing tasks, and work effectively independently and within a team
- Availability for overtime is required
Salary
Pursuant with states' laws, the salary range for this position is $78,000 - $98,000, based on experience and local market.
Dentons US LLP offers a competitive salary and benefits package including medical, dental, vision, 401k, profit sharing, short-term/long-term disability, life insurance, tuition reimbursement, paid time off, paid holidays and discretionary bonuses.
Dentons US LLP is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Disability/Vet. Pursuant to local ordinances, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
If you need any assistance seeking a job opportunity at Dentons US, LLP, or if you need reasonable accommodation with the application process, please call our Talent Acquisition Specialist at +1 314 259 5898 or contact us at dentonsusstaffrecruitment@dentons.com.
About Dentons
Redefining possibilities. Together, everywhere. For more information visit www.dentons.com
See All 26 Legal Assistant Jobs in District of Columbia
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Find Legal Assistant JobsLegal Assistant Jobs by City in District of Columbia
Where District of Columbia roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Legal Assistant Job Market in District of Columbia
A snapshot from current District of Columbia openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
What District of Columbia Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in legal assistant jobs across District of Columbia.
- Associate or bachelor's degree in paralegal studies or a related field preferred
- One to three years of legal administrative or paralegal experience in a professional setting
- Proficiency in legal research tools such as Westlaw or LexisNexis
- Strong document drafting, proofreading, and case file management skills
- Familiarity with federal court procedures, filings, and docketing requirements
- Ability to handle confidential information with discretion and meet strict deadlines
Legal Assistant Jobs in District of Columbia: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a legal assistant in District of Columbia?
The District of Columbia does not require a state-issued license to work as a legal assistant, so the path runs through education and voluntary credentialing. Most D.C. employers expect at minimum an associate degree in paralegal studies, though a bachelor's degree is increasingly common at larger firms. Earning a Certified Paralegal credential through the National Association of Legal Assistants strengthens your candidacy significantly in D.C.'s competitive federal and regulatory legal market.
Which companies hire legal assistants in District of Columbia?
District of Columbia legal assistant roles are posted by FSA, Ford Agency, and B H Griner Associates and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. D.C.'s concentration of large law firms, federal agencies, and government contractors means hiring activity remains steady throughout the year across both private practice and public sector employers.
Which District of Columbia cities have the most legal assistant jobs?
Washington account for the largest share of legal assistant openings in District of Columbia. Washington, D.C. itself dominates because of its dense concentration of federal agencies, international law firms, and lobbying organizations, while nearby cities like Arlington and Bethesda generate additional demand from government contractors and regional law offices that serve the broader federal corridor.
Are there remote legal assistant jobs in District of Columbia?
Yes, but they are less common than in purely desk-based fields because legal assistants frequently handle physical filings, in-person court appearances, and confidential document management. About 82% of legal assistant openings tied to District of Columbia are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting the limits of hands-on case support work. Research, drafting, and document review tasks are the most likely to appear in remote or hybrid arrangements.
How can I get hired as a legal assistant in District of Columbia with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry point is a paralegal studies program at a D.C.-area institution such as Georgetown University or George Washington University, both of which have connections to local law firms and federal agencies for internship placements. Large employers including the U.S. Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission post entry-level legal assistant and law clerk positions open to recent graduates. Starting as a file clerk, legal receptionist, or records coordinator at a D.C. firm is a well-established lateral move into a legal assistant role, and completing the Certified Paralegal exam gives candidates a concrete edge.
Where can I find and apply to legal assistant jobs in District of Columbia?
You can find and apply to legal assistant jobs in District of Columbia on Migrate Mate, which lists current D.C. openings from law firms, federal agencies, and government contractors. Search the available roles, identify the ones that match your background and preferences, and apply directly to the listings that fit.
See All 26 Legal Assistant Jobs in District of Columbia
Find roles in District of Columbia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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