Legal Secretary Job Description8 min read
A legal secretary is a key member of a law firm, providing administrative and secretarial support to lawyers. The legal secretary job description may vary depending on the size of the law firm, but generally includes handling correspondence, scheduling appointments, organizing files, and drafting legal documents.
The legal secretary job description may also include preparing pleadings, legal arguments, and other legal documents; communicating with clients, opposing counsel, and court personnel; and performing other legal-related tasks as assigned.
Legal secretaries must have excellent typing and word processing skills, as well as knowledge of legal terminology and court procedures. They must be able to work independently and be able to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
Legal secretaries typically work full time in an office environment. Some may be required to work overtime to meet deadlines.
The median annual wage for legal secretaries was $48,390 in May 2016.
Job prospects for legal secretaries are good, with employment projected to grow 10 percent from 2016 to 2026, faster than the average for all occupations.
For more information on legal secretary jobs, visit the Bureau of Labor Statistics website.
Table of Contents
What are the duties and responsibilities of a secretary?
A secretary is an administrative assistant who performs a wide range of secretarial and clerical tasks. The duties and responsibilities of a secretary vary depending on the organization they work for, but typically include managing emails, handling phone calls, scheduling appointments, organizing and maintaining files, and drafting correspondence. Many secretaries also provide support to senior managers and executives by preparing reports, conducting research, and preparing presentations.
How do you write a legal secretary job description?
A legal secretary is an administrative assistant in a law office. They perform a number of tasks to keep the office running smoothly, including managing files, drafting correspondence, and scheduling appointments.
When writing a job description for a legal secretary, you’ll want to list the specific skills and experience that are required for the position. Some key skills to include might be:
– Strong typing and computer skills
– Excellent communication and organizational skills
– Knowledge of legal terminology and procedures
You’ll also want to list the qualifications that are preferred but not required. Some examples might be:
– A degree in legal administration or a related field
– Prior experience as a legal secretary
– Knowledge of a specific legal software program
The job description should also include a brief overview of the duties and responsibilities of the position. Some of the most common duties of a legal secretary include:
– Drafting letters and legal documents
– Managing files and records
– Organizing and scheduling appointments
– Answering phones and greeting clients
– Providing support to attorneys and paralegals
What is expected of a legal secretary?
A legal secretary is an administrative professional who provides support to attorneys. Legal secretaries are responsible for a variety of tasks, including preparing legal documents, answering phones, and managing appointments.
In order to be successful as a legal secretary, it is important to be organized and have excellent communication skills. It is also important to be able to work independently, as attorneys often rely on legal secretaries to handle a great deal of the day-to-day work.
Legal secretaries may be responsible for a variety of tasks, including the following:
• Preparing legal documents, such as motions, briefs, and contracts
• Answering phones and managing appointments
• Typing and formatting legal documents
• Filing court papers and organizing client files
• Organizing and maintaining the office
If you are interested in becoming a legal secretary, it is important to have a high school diploma or equivalent. Some legal secretaries may also have an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in business administration or a related field.
It is also important to have strong computer skills, as many legal secretaries use software programs to create legal documents. Typing speed is also important, as legal secretaries often need to type quickly and accurately.
The most important attribute of a successful legal secretary is the ability to beorganized and efficient. Legal secretaries must be able to work independently, as well as be able to follow instructions from attorneys. They must also have excellent communication skills, both oral and written, and be able to type quickly and accurately.
Are legal secretaries and paralegals the same?
Are legal secretaries and paralegals the same? The answer to this question is not a simple yes or no. There is a lot of overlap between the duties of legal secretaries and paralegals, but there are also some key differences.
Legal secretaries are responsible for performing a wide range of administrative tasks in a law office. This includes preparing legal documents, managing the office calendar, handling phone calls and emails, and arranging meetings. They may also be responsible for billing and invoicing clients, and handling other financial matters.
Paralegals, on the other hand, are responsible for assisting lawyers with legal research and drafting legal documents. They may also be responsible for interviewing clients, preparing for court appearances, and helping to resolve disputes.
In general, legal secretaries provide more support to lawyers, while paralegals are more involved in actual legal work. However, there is a lot of overlap between the duties of these two roles, and many legal secretaries also perform some paralegal duties.
What skills does a secretary need?
A secretary is a key member of any office team. They are responsible for a variety of tasks, from handling the day-to-day operations of the office to providing support to the team’s members. To be successful in this role, you need to have a range of skills.
The most important skill for a secretary is organisation. This involves managing the office’s calendar, organising meetings, and ensuring that everyone has the information they need. You must also be able to stay calm under pressure and handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
A secretary also needs good communication skills. They need to be able to communicate effectively with clients, colleagues, and managers. They must also be able to listen attentively and understand the needs of others.
In addition, a secretary must be able to use computers and other office equipment. They must be able to type quickly and accurately, and be familiar with word processing, spreadsheet, and database software.
If you want to be a secretary, you need to be able to work well as part of a team and be able to take direction from others. You should also be able to handle confidential information securely.
What qualities make a good secretary?
A secretary is an important position in any business. They are responsible for handling the day-to-day operations of the office and keeping everything running smoothly. There are a few key qualities that make a good secretary.
The most important quality for a secretary is excellent organizational skills. They need to be able to keep track of all the different tasks that need to be done and make sure everything is completed on time. They also need to be good at multitasking, as they often have several things going on at once.
A good secretary is also a good problem solver. If something goes wrong or there is a last minute change, they need to be able to come up with a solution quickly. They also need to be able to stay calm under pressure, as sometimes they are the ones who have to deal with difficult customers or situations.
Good communication skills are also important. The secretary is often the first person that people in the office will go to with questions, so they need to be able to communicate effectively. They should also be friendly and outgoing, as they will be working with people from all different departments.
In order to be a good secretary, you need to be able to work quickly and efficiently, have a good attention to detail, and be able to stay organized. If you have these qualities, then you have what it takes to be a successful secretary.
What are the five personal qualities of a legal secretary?
There are five personal qualities that are important for legal secretaries. They are:
1. Good communication skills. Legal secretaries need to be able to communicate effectively with their clients, their coworkers, and the court system. They must be able to listen carefully, understand what is being said, and communicate clearly and effectively.
2. Strong organizational skills. Legal secretaries need to be able to manage their time effectively and keep track of multiple tasks at once. They must be able to stay organized in order to keep the office running smoothly.
3. Strong attention to detail. Legal secretaries need to be detail-oriented in order to ensure that all of the paperwork is correct. They need to be able to catch any mistakes that may occur and correct them quickly.
4. Ability to stay calm under pressure. Legal secretaries often need to work under pressure, and they need to be able to stay calm and focused in order to get the job done.
5. Strong legal knowledge. Legal secretaries need to have a strong understanding of the legal system and the terminology that is used in the legal field. This knowledge will help them to effectively manage the office and communicate with the lawyers and clients.
