It is with great pleasure that ILSPA announces our new partnership with The Assistant Room. Founded in 2016, The Assistant Room exists to transform the future of Business Support Professionals. Through award-winning events, an internationally acclaimed podcast, and their industry-leading membership, they provide expert-led training, career tools, and a global network redefining excellence in support.

Who supports the people who support the Lawyers?
Behind every successful Solicitor, Barrister, and Paralegal is a Legal PA or Legal Secretary making sure deadlines are met, documents are flawless, and clients are supported. But here’s the thing..while lawyers are given clear routes for training and CPD, Legal PAs often find themselves left to figure it out alone.

At The Assistant Room, we don’t think that’s good enough. Thriving as a Legal PA isn’t just about legal knowledge - it’s about confidence, adaptability, communication, and having the right people around you to lean on. That’s why we’ve partnered with the Institute of Legal Secretaries and PAs (ILSPA) to create a complete approach to career development that covers it all: legal training, professional growth, and community.

The Realities Legal PAs Face
Let’s be honest, being a Legal PA is no small task. You’re expected to:
●    Master dual expertise: balancing legal know-how with world-class admin skills
●    Keep up with constant digital change, from case management systems to AI
●    Handle competing priorities from multiple fee earners with deadlines that don’t budge
●    Work in isolation, sometimes as the only assistant in the team
●    Push for recognition, even though your impact is critical to firm success

Sound familiar? This is why investing in your own development isn’t optional, it’s essential. And it’s exactly where ILSPA and The Assistant Room step in.

More Than Legal Training
The legal sector encourages continual professional development (CPD) across the board, and rightly so. Lawyers, Paralegals, and other fee earners are expected to keep up to date with legal changes and procedures. But here’s the key: the PA side of a Legal PAs role also benefits from professional development - skills like organisation, leadership, and adaptability are just as crucial.

That’s where The Assistant Room stands out.

Through The Assistant Room Membership, you’ll:
●    Access exclusive workshops and masterclasses built for assistants like you
●    Learn from industry experts who understand the challenges you face every day
●    Find practical resources that support both legal and administrative responsibilities

Pair this with ILSPA’s qualifications and CPD programme, and suddenly you’re not just keeping up - you’re levelling up in every direction.

The Power of Community
Networking is part and parcel of working in the legal sector. As a Legal PA, you’ll naturally interact with Paralegals, Solicitors, Barristers, and clients. But there’s something uniquely powerful about connecting with people who do what you do.

Inside The Assistant Room, you can:
●    Connect with a global network of like-minded professionals, including other PAs and Legal PAs
●    Share tips, ideas, and best practices from those who understand your role first-hand
●    Build lasting relationships that give you support and open new doors

Because no Legal PA should ever feel like they’re doing this alone.

Why This Partnership Works
Together, ILSPA and The Assistant Room give you everything you need to thrive:
●    Recognised legal training and CPD
●    A safe, supportive community of assistants
●    Tools, mentoring, and opportunities that build confidence and recognition

This isn’t just about keeping up with the legal industry - it’s about taking control of your career and shaping your future.

Final Thoughts
Being a Legal PA or Secretary is challenging, rewarding, and absolutely essential to the success of every law firm. You deserve the same level of training, recognition, and support as the Lawyers you work alongside.

That’s why every Legal PA needs The Assistant Room and ILSPA. Together, they give you the skills, community, and confidence to take your career wherever you want it to go.

Find out more about The Assistant Room Membership and ILSPA’s qualifications today and take the first step towards levelling up your career.

Written by Katie Leuw - Marketing & Events Manager at The Assistant Room