Legal Assistant Jobs in Atlanta: How to Get Hired and Build Your Career

Atlanta’s legal market is busy, diverse, and growing—making it a strong place to look for legal assistant jobs if you live in the metro area or are planning to move here. From downtown law firms near Peachtree Street to corporate legal departments in Buckhead and Perimeter, there are many ways to get started and move up.

This guide walks you through how legal assistant work looks in Atlanta, where the jobs are, what employers expect, and how to stand out when you’re applying.

What Does a Legal Assistant Do in Atlanta?

In Atlanta, legal assistants (sometimes overlapping with paralegal duties) typically support attorneys in law firms, corporate offices, and government agencies.

Common day-to-day tasks include:

• Drafting and formatting legal documents (letters, motions, discovery responses)
• Managing case files and electronic document systems
• Scheduling hearings, depositions, and client meetings
• Filing documents with Fulton County, DeKalb County, or federal courts
• Communicating with clients, court staff, and opposing counsel
• Handling billing, time entries, and expense tracking
• Organizing evidence, medical records, police reports, and other exhibits

In some Atlanta offices, “legal assistant” is more administrative; in others, it’s closer to a junior paralegal role. Job descriptions are important to read closely.

Where Legal Assistant Jobs Are Found in Atlanta

Legal assistant positions are spread across the metro area, but certain corridors are especially active.

Major legal hubs in Atlanta

1. Downtown Atlanta

• Home to many litigation-focused firms and government offices
• Close to Fulton County Superior Court, Fulton County State Court, and the Richard B. Russell Federal Building
• Common roles: litigation legal assistant, criminal law assistant, public-sector support

2. Midtown Atlanta

• Mix of mid-size firms, boutique practices, and some corporate headquarters
• Often more specialized roles: intellectual property, entertainment, employment law

3. Buckhead

• Known for business, corporate, and real estate law
• Many firms in office towers along Peachtree Road and Lenox area
• Corporate legal departments in finance, healthcare, and real estate

4. Perimeter / Sandy Springs / Dunwoody

• Cluster of regional and national corporate offices
• In-house legal departments that may hire legal assistants with strong administrative and contract-support skills

5. Cobb, DeKalb, and Gwinnett

• County government legal offices, local firms, and regional branches
• Good for those who live OTP and prefer not to commute downtown

Common Employers Hiring Legal Assistants in Atlanta

You’ll typically see legal assistant roles with:

• Private law firms

  • From large national firms with Atlanta offices to small boutique practices
  • Practice areas: personal injury, family law, criminal defense, corporate, real estate, immigration

• Corporate legal departments

  • Large companies with HQ or major offices in Atlanta (banking, telecom, logistics, healthcare, tech)
  • Roles often focus on contracts, compliance, and internal investigations

• Government and public sector

  • Office of the Fulton County Attorney – 141 Pryor St SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
  • Fulton County Public Defender’s Office – 100 Peachtree St NW, Suite 1900, Atlanta, GA 30303
  • City of Atlanta Law Department – 55 Trinity Ave SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
  • State agencies with Atlanta-based legal counsel

• Nonprofit and legal aid organizations

  • Positions assisting with housing, consumer rights, immigration, and family law for low-income residents

These roles often post on general job boards plus city, county, or state career pages.

Typical Qualifications for Legal Assistant Jobs in Atlanta

Requirements vary by employer and practice area, but many Atlanta job postings look for:

Education

• High school diploma or GED – minimum for many entry-level administrative legal assistant roles
• Associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree – often preferred by mid-size and large firms
• Paralegal certificate – not always required, but strengthens your application, especially for litigation or specialized areas

Local options for legal or paralegal education include:

• Atlanta Technical College – 1560 Metropolitan Pkwy SW, Atlanta, GA 30310
• Georgia State University (downtown) – paralegal and legal studies programs
• Other area community colleges and universities with legal studies tracks

Skills Atlanta employers pay attention to

• Microsoft Office (Word, Outlook, Excel) and often PDF editing tools
• Strong written communication and professional email etiquette
• Organization and ability to manage multiple deadlines
• Typing speed and accurate data entry
• Comfort with case management software (firms may train on their preferred system)
• Professionalism with clients and court staff

If you plan to work in immigration, criminal defense, or family law, Atlanta employers may value:

• Bilingual skills, especially Spanish or other languages widely spoken in the metro area
• Experience with vulnerable populations or high-volume practice settings

Entry-Level Legal Assistant Jobs in Atlanta

You can break into the field even without years of legal experience, especially if you focus on:

Types of entry-level roles

• Legal receptionist / front desk assistant
• File clerk or records clerk in a law office or courthouse
• Administrative assistant in a legal department
• Junior legal assistant in a smaller firm willing to train

These roles often mention “willing to train,” “no prior legal experience required,” or “entry-level.”

Ways to strengthen your entry-level application

• Highlight customer service, office, or administrative experience (call centers, reception, office assistant work)
• Emphasize attention to detail, reliability, and comfort handling confidential information
• Take a short legal terminology or introductory paralegal course through a local college or continuing education program
• Learn basic court filing procedures for Fulton and DeKalb counties (many employers will train you but appreciate familiarity)

What Legal Assistants in Atlanta Typically Earn

Exact pay depends on experience, practice area, and location within the metro area, but a general pattern you’ll see:

Firms in downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead often pay more than very small suburban practices, but hours and workload can be heavier.

How to Find Legal Assistant Jobs in Atlanta

You can approach your search in a few focused ways.

1. Online job boards and employer sites

Search with combinations like:

• “legal assistant Atlanta GA”
• “entry level legal assistant Atlanta”
• “paralegal / legal assistant Midtown Atlanta”

Check:

• General job listing sites
• Career pages of law firms and corporations you’re interested in
• City, county, and state government career portals (look under “Legal,” “Administrative,” or “Clerical” categories)

2. Law firms and offices near Atlanta courts

Because many legal assistants work in litigation, offices near the major courthouses are often hiring:

• Fulton County Courthouse area – 185 Central Ave SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
• Richard B. Russell Federal Building & Courthouse – 75 Ted Turner Dr SW, Atlanta, GA 30303

You can:

• Make a list of firms in these areas
• Check each firm’s website for “Careers” or “Employment”
• Politely email a resume and cover letter even if no job is posted (some firms keep resumes on file)

3. Temp and staffing agencies

Several Atlanta-area staffing agencies focus on or frequently fill legal support roles. Legal assistants often enter firms through:

• Contract or temp-to-perm positions
• Short-term coverage (e.g., maternity leave, trial support) that may lead to permanent work

Look for agencies that specifically mention legal, law firms, or corporate legal departments in their service descriptions.

4. Networking in Atlanta’s legal community

Connections can matter as much as resumes.

Options include:

• Local bar associations and sections that welcome non-attorney members or guests
• Legal-oriented events, CLE programs (some open to staff), or career-prep workshops
• Informational interviews with legal assistants or paralegals you meet through friends, school, or LinkedIn

Many Atlanta professionals are used to being asked for brief advice; a short, polite request for a 15-minute conversation can go a long way.

Legal Assistant Specializations in Atlanta

Atlanta’s legal market includes a wide range of niche areas. As you gain experience, you may see openings for:

• Personal injury / medical malpractice – common around downtown and Midtown
• Family law – divorces, custody, and support; offices spread throughout the metro area
• Criminal defense – near downtown courts and across many neighborhoods
• Real estate / closing firms – concentrated in Buckhead, Perimeter, and busy residential corridors
• Immigration law – serving Atlanta’s diverse communities across the metro
• Corporate & securities – often Midtown, Buckhead, and Perimeter corporate centers
• Intellectual property / entertainment law – especially with Atlanta’s film, TV, and music activity

Choosing a niche can help you command higher pay over time and build more specialized skills.

Improving Your Chances: Atlanta-Focused Tips

A few targeted moves can make your application stronger in this market:

• Tailor your resume to each posting

  • Use the same language the employer uses for software, tasks, and responsibilities
  • Highlight any experience related to Georgia courts or Atlanta-area offices

• Learn local court basics

  • Know the difference between Fulton County State Court, Superior Court, Municipal Court, and nearby county courts
  • Understand that each has its own filing rules; indicate you’re willing to learn them

• Emphasize reliability and commute realism

  • Atlanta traffic is a real concern; firms want to know you can arrive on time
  • If you live near MARTA or close to the office, that can be a subtle plus

• Professional presentation

  • Atlanta legal offices tend to expect business or business-casual attire
  • When interviewing, dress as though you’re already walking into court with the attorney

Using Local Resources for Training and Career Support

If you’re just starting out or changing careers, Atlanta offers helpful resources:

• Atlanta Technical College Career Services
  • Can help with resumes, interview prep, and entry-level placement leads
• Georgia State University Career Services (downtown)
  • For students and alumni with legal or administrative studies
• State and county workforce development centers
  • Often provide job-search assistance, resume workshops, and training referrals

You can also watch job postings from:

• City of Atlanta (various departments with legal staff)
• Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, and Gwinnett County government sites for legal and administrative assistant roles

Is a Legal Assistant Job in Atlanta Right for You?

You’re likely a good fit for Atlanta’s legal assistant roles if you:

• Enjoy detailed paperwork and organizing information
• Can stay calm when attorneys and clients need things quickly
• Don’t mind learning court rules, deadlines, and legal terminology
• Are comfortable in a professional office environment with frequent phone and email contact

From there, you can grow into senior legal assistant, paralegal, or supervisory roles, or even use the experience as a foundation for law school or other legal careers.

If you live in or near Atlanta and want a structured, professional path with room to grow, the city’s busy legal landscape offers many opportunities to start as a legal assistant and build a long-term career.