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How do I get a Legal Secretary Job?

Jessica Ellis
Jessica Ellis
Jessica Ellis
Jessica Ellis

A legal secretary performs clerical and administrative work for a law office or firm. Generally, the position is more detailed than typical secretarial work, and requires some understanding of the legal system. Finding a legal secretary job can be difficult, but with perseverance and the required skills, searching can lead to a rewarding career.

A legal secretary job requires all the basic skills of an administrative position. Candidates should be computer literate, excellent typists, possess customer service skills and be familiar with basic office machinery such as copiers and fax machines. Good organizational skills are also vital to a legal secretary job. Many jobs for legal secretaries also require several years of administrative experience, to guarantee a new secretary can find his or her way around the office with ease.

Legal secretaries often have an associate's degree.
Legal secretaries often have an associate's degree.

In addition to basic skills, legal secretaries must be well-versed or trained in the world of law. While formal legal training is usually not required, a legal secretary job usually involves understanding basic legal terms, common forms, and basic ethical rules. It is important that a legal secretary be discreet and emphasize confidentiality; talking about a case from the office can result in compromising the law firm.

Many jobs are listed in local newspaper classifieds.
Many jobs are listed in local newspaper classifieds.

Some community colleges and trade schools offer certificate programs for legal secretaries. This can be a great way to receive the basic training required for a job. While a certificate program can be helpful, be aware that many jobs will want practical training as well as theoretical knowledge. Even working two or three days a week in a small office can help to meet work experience requirements.

A prospective legal secretary should show some understanding of legal terms.
A prospective legal secretary should show some understanding of legal terms.

Legal secretary jobs are often listed in classified ads, either in the newspaper or online. Check job descriptions carefully to ensure a match between prerequisites and personal skills. When possible, try to drop off resumes or applications in person; giving the law firm a face to attach to a name may increase chances of an interview.

To get a legal secretary job, it is important to appear professional. Law firms want staff that will enhance the reputation of their company, and the key to landing a great job may be a professional appearance. Take the time to review applications and resumes for any grammar or spelling errors, and consider printing resumes on good paper at a professional location. Arrive at interviews on time and well-groomed, and be prepared to answer questions relevant to work history and career plans.

Jessica Ellis
Jessica Ellis

With a B.A. in theater from UCLA and a graduate degree in screenwriting from the American Film Institute, Jessica is passionate about drama and film. She has many other interests, and enjoys learning and writing about a wide range of topics in her role as a WiseGEEK writer.

Learn more...
Jessica Ellis
Jessica Ellis

With a B.A. in theater from UCLA and a graduate degree in screenwriting from the American Film Institute, Jessica is passionate about drama and film. She has many other interests, and enjoys learning and writing about a wide range of topics in her role as a WiseGEEK writer.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

SauteePan

@GreenWeaver - People do get burned out because it is not for everyone. I used to work for a staffing firm that had various specialties and one of it was legal staffing. Some of these legal secretary job openings were for jobs that lasted a few months to a few years. Many of the legal contractors liked working as contractors because they were able to work in a variety of environments and if they did not like the law firm that they were supporting they knew that when their project would be over soon.

Some of these legal secretary job openings began as temporary positions that later turned to full time permanent employment if the client really liked the contractor. They usually had to pay 15% to 20% of the annual salary in order to convert the contractor to an employee of the law firm.

I will say that a person considering working as a legal secretary has to like working in a fast paced environment because most of these positions require someone that is great at multitasking.

GreenWeaver

I have a friend that was a legal secretary for a while, but got really burned out because she said that it was a very demanding job. She decided to take some legal transcription courses and become a court reporter. She said that the salary for a court reporter was higher, and she liked that she could also supplement her income with contract work with additional clients.

She said that the only thing that she had to work on was her typing speed because in order to get a court reporting certification, you really have to be able to type 225 words per minute.

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    • Legal secretaries often have an associate's degree.
      By: Elenathewise
      Legal secretaries often have an associate's degree.
    • Many jobs are listed in local newspaper classifieds.
      By: Feng Yu
      Many jobs are listed in local newspaper classifieds.
    • A prospective legal secretary should show some understanding of legal terms.
      By: 22 North Gallery
      A prospective legal secretary should show some understanding of legal terms.
    • Familiarity with operating standard office equipment such as copiers is an essential administrative skill for a legal secretary.
      By: Tiler84
      Familiarity with operating standard office equipment such as copiers is an essential administrative skill for a legal secretary.
    • A legal secretary should have advanced skills in word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation software.
      By: taka
      A legal secretary should have advanced skills in word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation software.