Legal Assistance Day takes place on March 14 every year in the United States. Legal assistants help attorneys with legal cases, conduct research, and draft documents. They frequently collaborate with supervising lawyers, who provide them with guidance and duties. Legal assistants are mostly non-lawyers, therefore if you have any legal issues and want to speak with a lawyer, go to a Legal Assistance Day event today. Participants that assist include paralegals, legal secretaries, and law students who have received legal training.
History of Legal Assistance Day
Legal assistance has made essential steps toward giving people everywhere more rights, but where did legal assistance begin? Legal aid has existed since the founding of the first legal assistance program in the 1870s.
However, legal assistance had not been at the forefront of the American justice system. It would only take a century later for the federal government in the United States to incorporate that system into its structure. The Office of Economic Opportunity’s Legal Services creation was first developed in 1965, helping establish the independent Legal Service Corporation.
In line with this development, in all 50 states, there are at least 260 legal services established and assisting more than 10,000 legal problems experienced by the poor. The popularity of legal services increased enormously in the 1980s. Only in the 2000s was the structure consolidated to solve the issues of a collapsing economy and develop community legal assistance.
Legal Assistance Day has the aim of helping people who have legal problems without having to spend money and also helping law graduates who have just completed their studies to develop their job readiness. During Legal Assistance Day, volunteers flock to the legal aid office to assist lawyers in resolving legal disputes currently being handled.
Legal Assistance Day timeline
The first legal assistance program is founded.
The Office of Economic Opportunity's Legal Services is developed, which aids in the establishment of the independent Legal Service Corporation.
The popularity of legal services increases enormously.
The structure consolidates to solve the issues of a collapsing economy and develops community legal assistance.
Legal Assistance Day FAQs
What is an example of legal?
‘Legal’ refers to actions that are related to the government or a country’s system of rules.
What is the most a legal assistant can make?
According to 2020 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, legal assistants/paralegals earn an average salary of $56,610 per year. Average pay will vary based on the state in which you are employed, the education you’ve earned, and your level of experience in the field.
What qualifications are required to qualify as a legal office assistant?
A minimum of an associate degree in paralegal studies is often required to work as a legal assistant. Some legal assistants may have a bachelor’s degree and some may be working toward the entrance to law school
How to Observe Legal Assistance Day
Volunteer at a local lawyer’s office
If you are a law student or have already graduated, consider donating a little of your time volunteering at a local lawyer's office. This can be a great way to give back to your community and help you make new connections.
Giving a gift
Do you know a legal assistant? Maybe you have one in your family, or a friend of yours is one. If so, take the time to thank them by giving them a gift. Pick out the perfect gift for the lawyers in your life and let them know how much you appreciate their hard work!
Share on social media
As you go through your day today, we invite you to celebrate this day of recognition with others by sharing this day with your friends and family on social media. This will also encourage others to participate in this day.
5 Strange Facts You Didn’t Know About The Law
Buying ice cream on Sundays was illegal
Because ice cream was considered frivolous and extravagant, it was not sold on Sundays in Ohio until a vendor added fruit to it.
Woman drivers in Memphis, Tennessee
A woman in Memphis, Tennessee, cannot drive a car unless a man is in front of the car waving a red flag to warn people and other cars.
It is illegal to lick toads in California
It has been reported that some people were licking toads in an attempt to get high because they believed the toads’ poison would kill them.
It was illegal for women to vote
Susan B. Anthony, who campaigned for women's right to vote in the United States in the 19th century, was fined $100 after she attempted to vote in the 1872 presidential election.
It is illegal to play games In Tennessee
It is illegal for children to play games on Sundays without a license in Tennessee.
Why Legal Assistance Day is Important
It provides opportunities for students
With Legal Assistance Day, students will experience real-world work and will be able to put their newly acquired knowledge into practice. Students will also gain experience as a result of this.
It assists the poor
Legal aid can be prohibitively expensive. As a result, the disadvantaged will have trouble resolving their legal issues because they cannot afford to engage a lawyer. Legal Assistance Day allows the community to settle legal concerns for free.
It’s a day to appreciate legal assistants
Most significantly, Legal Assistance Day is a day when we recognize people who are willing to spend a significant amount of time addressing various legal matters so that the community can feel benefited.
Legal Assistance Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | March 14 | Friday |
| 2026 | March 14 | Saturday |
| 2027 | March 14 | Sunday |
| 2028 | March 14 | Tuesday |
| 2029 | March 14 | Wednesday |
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