What You Need to Know About Legal Secretary
Career Description Perform secretarial duties using legal terminology, procedures, and documents. Prepare legal papers and correspondence, such as summonses, complaints, motions, and subpoenas. May also assist with legal research.
A Day in the Life of a Legal Secretary
- Prepare, proofread, or process legal documents, such as summonses, subpoenas, complaints, appeals, motions, or pretrial agreements.
- Complete various forms, such as accident reports, trial and courtroom requests, and applications for clients.
- Review legal publications and perform database searches to identify laws and court decisions relevant to pending cases.
- Schedule and make appointments.
- Make photocopies of correspondence, documents, and other printed matter.
- Mail, fax, or arrange for delivery of legal correspondence to clients, witnesses, and court officials.
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Things a Legal Secretary Should Know How to Do
Below is a list of the skills most Legal Secretaries say are important on the job.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Time Management: Managing one’s own time and the time of others.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Other Legal Secretary Job Titles
- Accredited Legal Secretary
- Confidential Secretary
- Litigation Legal Secretary
- Certified Legal Secretary Specialist
- Magistrate Assistant
What Kind of Legal Secretary Job Opportunities Are There?
There were about 194,700 jobs for Legal Secretary in 2016 (in the United States). There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Legal Secretary. There will be an estimated 15,000 positions for Legal Secretary per year.
The states with the most job growth for Legal Secretary are Maryland, Montana, and Utah. Watch out if you plan on working in Ohio, Wisconsin, or Mississippi. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
How Much Does a Legal Secretary Make?
The typical yearly salary for Legal Secretaries is somewhere between $27,920 and $78,280.
Legal Secretaries who work in District of Columbia, Massachusetts, or Connecticut, make the highest salaries.
How much do Legal Secretaries make in each U.S. state?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $41,840 |
| Alaska | $48,260 |
| Arizona | $47,320 |
| Arkansas | $36,930 |
| California | $56,570 |
| Connecticut | $53,780 |
| Delaware | $52,270 |
| District of Columbia | $86,190 |
| Florida | $45,550 |
| Georgia | $45,680 |
| Hawaii | $48,140 |
| Idaho | $36,600 |
| Illinois | $51,140 |
| Indiana | $41,940 |
| Iowa | $38,680 |
| Kansas | $39,100 |
| Kentucky | $36,440 |
| Louisiana | $40,330 |
| Maine | $38,050 |
| Maryland | $52,950 |
| Massachusetts | $59,020 |
| Michigan | $45,140 |
| Minnesota | $53,000 |
| Mississippi | $40,080 |
| Missouri | $44,130 |
| Montana | $34,130 |
| Nebraska | $38,900 |
| Nevada | $46,350 |
| New Hampshire | $49,230 |
| New Jersey | $50,660 |
| New Mexico | $37,640 |
| New York | $55,920 |
| North Carolina | $47,030 |
| North Dakota | $44,350 |
| Ohio | $46,060 |
| Oklahoma | $37,150 |
| Oregon | $49,960 |
| Pennsylvania | $50,980 |
| Rhode Island | $48,220 |
| South Carolina | $39,670 |
| South Dakota | $35,540 |
| Tennessee | $43,480 |
| Texas | $46,430 |
| Utah | $42,240 |
| Vermont | $46,540 |
| Virginia | $46,400 |
| Washington | $54,590 |
| West Virginia | $38,460 |
| Wisconsin | $44,380 |
| Wyoming | $42,140 |
What Tools do Legal Secretaries Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Legal Secretaries:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Web browser software
- Microsoft Access
- Email software
- Word processing software
- Spreadsheet software
- Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
- Microsoft Visio
- Database software
- Intuit QuickBooks
- LexisNexis
- Sage 50 Accounting
- Presentation software
- IBM Lotus Notes
- ADP Workforce Now
- Desktop publishing software
How do I Become a Legal Secretary?
Are there Legal Secretaries education requirements?
How Long Does it Take to Become a Legal Secretary?
Where Legal Secretaries Are Employed
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
Related Careers
Those thinking about becoming a Legal Secretary might also be interested in the following careers:
References:
Image Credit: Staff Sgt. Nicholas Rau via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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