How much does a legal assistant earn?
Legal assistants (Rechtsanwaltsfachangestellte, ReFa) support lawyers in the firm – from client reception and file management to deadline control, correspondence, RVG billing, scheduling and preparing pleadings. Entry is typically via the three-year dual apprenticeship as Rechtsanwaltsfachangestellter. Gross pay depends on region, firm size, practice area and responsibility. As a guide, qualified staff in Germany in 2026 often earn about €2,900–€3,550 gross per month; during apprenticeship around €900–€1,210 is typical.
Salary by region (gross/month)
Guide figures as of 2026. The apprenticeship column refers to the dual training as Rechtsanwaltsfachangestellter/-in; qualified means practising legal assistants in law firms. Actual pay depends on firm size, practice area (e.g. employment, family or commercial law), region, experience and additional qualifications and is not a guarantee.
Further training options
Job and everyday work
Legal assistants are the organisational and specialist interface in the law firm: they manage deadlines, files and communication and relieve lawyers on billing and client care. Everyday work combines legal care, office workflows and service – often in direct contact with clients, courts and authorities.
- Receive clients, coordinate appointments and organise day-to-day firm work from phone to incoming mail.
- Open and maintain files, monitor deadlines and follow-ups, and support preparation of pleadings and documents.
- Handle correspondence with courts, opponents and authorities and support electronic legal communication (beA).
- Calculate fees under RVG, issue invoices and track payments and reminders.
- Prepare court and authority appointments, assemble files for hearings and follow up on minutes.
- Uphold data protection and lawyer–client confidentiality and guide clients clearly through processes and forms.
