Career Overview
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.
Also Known As
- Legal Administrative Assistant (Legal Admin Assistant)
- Legal Office Support Assistant
- Legal Practice Assistant
- Legal Secretary
Alternate Job Titles
- Accredited Legal Secretary
- Certified Legal Secretary Specialist
- Confidential Secretary
- Law Firm Administrator
- Law Office Assistant
- Law Secretary
- Legal Administrative Assistant (Legal Admin Assistant)
- Legal Administrator (Legal Admin)
- Legal Coordinator
- Legal Executive Assistant (Legal Exec Assistant)
- Legal Management Assistant
- Legal Office Support Assistant
- Legal Practice Assistant
- Legal Receptionist
- Legal Secretary
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Organize and maintain law libraries, documents, and case files.
- Mail, fax, or arrange for delivery of legal correspondence to clients, witnesses, and court officials.
- Prepare and distribute invoices to bill clients or pay account expenses.
- Prepare, proofread, or process legal documents, such as summonses, subpoenas, complaints, appeals, motions, or pretrial agreements.
- Make photocopies of correspondence, documents, and other printed matter.
- Assist attorneys in collecting information such as employment, medical, and other records.
- Complete various forms, such as accident reports, trial and courtroom requests, and applications for clients.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Administrative
- English Language
- Law and Government
- Customer and Personal Service
- Computers and Electronics
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Speaking
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Oral Comprehension
- Written Comprehension
- Near Vision
- Oral Expression
- Written Expression
- Speech Recognition
- Speech Clarity
- Information Ordering
- Selective Attention
- Deductive Reasoning
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Attention to Detail
- Dependability
- Integrity
- Cooperation
- Cautiousness
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Relationships
- Support
- Working Conditions
- Achievement
- Recognition
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
On-the-Job Training: Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months
Education Details: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Experience Required: Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Adobe Acrobat
- Intuit QuickBooks
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Visio
- Microsoft Word
Tools & Equipment
- Digital audio recorders
- Digital cameras
- Digital duplicating machines
- Document scanners
- Document shredders
- Electric typewriters
- Handheld calculators
- Laptop computers
- Laser facsimile machines
- Microfiche machines
- Multi-line telephone systems
- Pagers
- Personal computers
- Photocopying equipment
- Switchboards
Work Environment
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
- Contact With Others
- Telephone Conversations
- Importance of Repeating Same Tasks
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $35,530 |
| Median | $54,140 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $87,660 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 154,540
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $61,010
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $46,290
Court, Municipal, and License Clerks
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $47,700
Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants
Education: Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
Median Salary: $74,260
Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners
Education: Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
Median Salary: $67,310
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.