how to become a lawyer secretary

1. High School. A high school diploma or GED certificate is the minimum education required to work as a legal secretary.
2. Postsecondary Program. Formal training isn't always required, but some firms prefer legal secretaries who've completed a postsecondary certificate or degree program.
3. Work. Law offices and government agencies with legal departments hire law office secretaries. ...
4. Certification. While certification in this field is voluntary, it may increase job opportunities or lead to career advancement.

Full Answer

What does it take to become a legal secretary?

Start as an Administrator or Secretary. A great way to become a legal secretary is to start as an administrator or secretary within a legal organisation. If you have good administration or secretarial experience, legal recruiters will be willing to take you on with a view to you picking up the procedures as you go along.

What are the qualifications for a legal secretary?

Mar 10, 2020 · Step 1: High School A high school diploma or GED certificate is the minimum education required to work as a legal secretary. While in high school, students should focus on polishing their grammar and writing skills. They should also gain proficiency in word processing and database management.

How to be the best legal secretary?

Mar 13, 2020 · 2-3 years experience typically required. Key Skills. Excellent interpersonal, organizational, writing, and proofreading skills; ability to work under pressure; knowledge of law and government practices; ability to type at least 65 words per minute; proficiency in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook. Salary.

What are the duties and responsibilities of a legal secretary?

At a minimum, a legal secretary will need a high school diploma and experience. For example, an employer may require two to three years experience in a wide variety of complex legal secretarial duties. Some employers are willing to substitute some college, or …

What Does a Legal Secretary Do?

Legal secretaries have specialized training to support the work of lawyers and paralegals. They prepare legal documents, distribute correspondence, and organize case files. They are often in charge of keeping track of multiple cases at once, so it is essential for legal secretaries to be very organized and efficient.

What is a Legal Secretary?

A legal secretary is a clerical-level worker with specialized training in law to support the work of lawyers and paralegals. Your main duties include preparing and distributing legal documents and correspondence, placing or taking phone calls, scheduling appointments, organizing case files and billing clients.

Popular Schools

Herzing University responds quickly to information requests through this website.

What does a legal secretary do?

In a larger firm, a legal secretary types and prepares correspondence, court pleadings, and discovery, maintains calendars, and files documents. A legal secretary may also interface with the court, opposing counsel and with clients. This secretary rarely has any receptionist duties.

What does a legal secretary need to know about filing?

Courts are particular about filings. A legal secretary needs to know the procedures for filing. This could include how many copies the court wants, the fees involved, how to get stamped filed copies back from the court, e-filing procedures and the like.

Why is learning the language of the law important?

Legal terms are precise and learning the language of the law can be one of the most important fundamental skills that a good legal secretary learns. This allows efficiency and clarity.

What is the difference between a PLS and an ALP?

The ALP is an entry level certification while the PLS is for people with at least three years of legal work experience.

What are the documents that are used in litigation?

Litigation documents can be divided into pleadings which include a complaint and answer, summons and proofs of service, Judicial Council forms which can also be used for pleadings and some discovery, discovery requests and responses, subpoenas, motions, and trial and arbitration briefs. Each of these documents must be formatted precisely and it is important to know how to use and prepare each of these types of documents. In the course of any day, a legal secretary will prepare several of these documents.

What is the job of a paralegal?

Paralegals and legal assistants do much of the same work that legal secretaries do, but they have a higher degree of legal education and experience and can do more substantive work such as legal research, client intake, review discovery responses with clients, and the like.

How does civil litigation unfold?

Civil litigation unfolds along a predictable path. A complaint is filed, then answered, discovery commences with interrogatories, requests for production and depositions, settlement discussions and conferences follow and if they are unsuccessful, the case moves to trial, mediation or arbitration.

How many years of experience do you need to be a legal secretary?

Conferred by the Legal Secretaries International, the CLSS certification requires at least five years of experience as a legal secretary to take the examination. Areas covered in the test include probate law, contract law, family law, business law, criminal law, civil suits and litigation, and other specialties.

How do legal secretaries get training?

Training may include learning how to manage the scheduling system, transcribe documents and complete tasks with legal software.

What are the skills required for a legal secretary?

In addition to formal education, certifications, and training, legal secretaries perform better at their roles when they have these additional skills: 1 Interpersonal skills: Because legal secretaries are the first point of contact in a law firm, they need to have excellent communication and customer service skills. They must be able to answer queries professionally and confidently. 2 Organizational skills: Since legal secretaries often provide extensive support to one or more legal professionals, they must be extremely organized to manage a law practice or corporate legal department efficiently. 3 Transcription skills: This skill is foundational to secretarial practice. Legal secretaries must have a fast typing speed (law firm requirements vary from 50 to 100 words per minute) as well as active listening skills to comprehend dictation files. 4 Attention to detail: Legal secretaries handle the specifics of daily law practice. Attention to detail is vital in almost every secretarial task — from drafting and proofreading to scheduling conferences and deadlines. 5 Teamwork: In all practices, legal secretaries must partner with lawyers, paralegals, vendors, file clerks and others to deliver services effectively. The most efficient legal secretary can work with colleagues and collaborate with third parties to complete tasks. 6 Research skills: Legal secretaries must have excellent research skills to gather client information, find directions, research the competition and locate expert witnesses. 7 Multitasking skills: Legal secretaries must be able to handle multiple assignments at the same time and manage growing workloads. Multitasking allows them to complete their duties successfully.

What are the duties of a legal secretary?

Other responsibilities of legal secretaries include the following: Transcribing and proofreading legal documents, including brief s, motions, pleadings and subpoenas. Drafting correspondence and routine legal documents, such as legal invoices and deposition notices.

How much does a legal secretary make?

For the most up-to-date salary information from Indeed, click on the salary link. Common salary in the U.S.: $47,083 per year. Some salaries range from $14,000 ...

Where do legal secretaries work?

Most legal secretaries work in a law firm or the legal department of a large corporation. They can expect to sit for extended periods reviewing documents. Some legal secretaries may need to travel to a courthouse or other locations to obtain information related to a case.

What is an ALP certification?

Accredited Legal Professional certification. Offered by the National Association of Legal Secretaries, the ALP demonstrates a legal secretary’s ability to excel in the role. To obtain the certification, candidates must pass a four-part examination.

What is a legal secretary?

A legal secretary is the attorney’s right-hand person, so reliability is a crucial work trait that will ensure success. This goes beyond showing up promptly. You might occasionally find yourself called upon to stay at your desk long after other offices have closed for the day. Your attorney may have to appear in court first thing in ...

What are the traits of a successful legal secretary?

Though all of these work traits stand out as hallmarks of a successful legal secretary, the most important might be compassion. Clients entrust your law firm with issues that are fundamentally and critically important to their lives—something they feel so strongly about they enlisted the help of a law firm.

How to end a legal career?

Disclosing confidential information, inadvertently or on purpose, is one of the quickest ways to end your legal career. Just as you should leave your personal life at the door when you arrive at work, leave work at work when you close the office door behind you. Avoid rehashing your day with family members or friends.

What makes a good secretary?

The most successful secretaries possess drive and initiative. They don't sit waiting for an attorney's instructions or assignments; they stay on top of what needs to be accomplished in any given time period. They anticipate their employer’s and clients' needs.

Why is efficiency important in law?

Efficiency translates to dollars in a law firm, a valuable work trait of any successful legal secretary. It can yield cost-savings that your employer is sure to notice. Secretaries who perform their jobs quickly and efficiently contribute to the bottom line, making themselves indispensable.