What does a Legal Secretary do?
Published 3 min read
A legal secretary is responsible for providing administrative and clerical support to lawyers. Their duties include maintaining files, scheduling appointments, and preparing documents.
Legal Secretary job duties include:
- Answer phones and direct calls to the appropriate party.
- Open, sort, and distribute mail.
- Draft routine correspondence.
- Prepare legal documents for filing with the court.
- Maintain files and calendars.
- Schedule appointments and meetings.
- Make travel arrangements.
- Perform general office duties such as ordering supplies and maintaining records.
- Provide support to attorneys and paralegals.
Legal Secretary Job Requirements
A legal secretary typically needs at least an associate's degree, although a bachelor's degree may be preferred by some employers. Many community colleges offer programs specifically in legal secretarial work, which can be helpful in landing a job. In addition to formal education, some on-the-job training may be required. Legal secretaries should also be proficient in computer applications, including word processing, spreadsheets and databases. Excellent typing skills are essential, as is the ability to take accurate dictation.
Legal Secretary Skills
- Type fast
- Accurate
- Proofreading
- Grammar
- Punctuation
- Editing
- Formatting
- Creating documents
- Filing
- Scheduling
- Answering phones
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How to become a Legal Secretary
A legal secretary is a professional who provides administrative and clerical support to lawyers and other legal professionals. If you are interested in becoming a legal secretary, there are a few things you need to know.
First, it is important to have strong written and verbal communication skills. You will be communicating with clients, lawyers, and other legal professionals on a daily basis, so it is essential that you are able to communicate effectively.
Second, you need to be detail-oriented and organized. As a legal secretary, you will be responsible for keeping track of deadlines, court dates, and other important details. It is crucial that you are able to stay organized and keep track of all the information.
Third, you need to have strong computer skills. Many legal secretaries use case management software to help keep track of cases and deadlines. It is important that you are comfortable using computers and various software programs.
Fourth, it is helpful to have some knowledge of the law. While you don’t need to be a lawyer, having some understanding of the law will be beneficial in your role as a legal secretary.
If you have strong communication skills, are detail-oriented and organized, and have strong computer skills, then you may have what it takes to become a legal secretary. If you are interested in pursuing this career, consider taking some courses at a local community college or online to learn more about the law and how to become a legal secretary.
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