All About Legal Secretaries
Position 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.
Daily Life Of a Legal Secretary
- Make photocopies of correspondence, documents, and other printed matter.
- Review legal publications and perform database searches to identify laws and court decisions relevant to pending cases.
- Organize and maintain law libraries, documents, and case files.
- Submit articles and information from searches to attorneys for review and approval for use.
- Make travel arrangements for attorneys.
- Assist attorneys in collecting information such as employment, medical, and other records.
Featured schools near , edit
Qualities of a Legal Secretary
These are the skills Legal Secretaries say are the most useful in their careers:
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
- Law Secretary
- Coordinating Legal Practice Assistant
- Certified Legal Secretary Specialist
- Secretary
- Judicial Administrative Assistant
Legal Secretary Employment Estimates
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 194,700 jobs in the United States for Legal Secretary. There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Legal Secretary. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 15,000 job openings in this field each 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.
Legal Secretary Salary
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 different U.S. states?
| 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 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Legal Secretaries
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?
Individuals working as a Legal Secretary have obtained the following education levels:
How Long Does it Take to Become a Legal Secretary?
Who Employs Legal Secretaries?
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
Related Careers
Those interested in being a Legal Secretary may also be interested in:
References:
Image Credit: Staff Sgt. Nicholas Rau via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
Featured Schools
Request Info
|
Southern New Hampshire University You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs. Learn More > |
Course Advisor provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© Course Advisor – All Rights Reserved.