All About Legal Secretaries
Job 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.
Life As a Legal Secretary
- Attend legal meetings, such as client interviews, hearings, or depositions, and take notes.
- Receive and place telephone calls.
- Draft and type office memos.
- Prepare and distribute invoices to bill clients or pay account expenses.
- Mail, fax, or arrange for delivery of legal correspondence to clients, witnesses, and court officials.
- Review legal publications and perform database searches to identify laws and court decisions relevant to pending cases.
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Legal Secretary Needed Skills
Legal Secretaries state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
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.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Paralegal Secretary
- Secretary
- Accredited Legal Secretary
- Litigation Secretary
- Confidential Secretary
Legal Secretary Employment Estimates
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. The BLS estimates 15,000 yearly job openings in this field.
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 average yearly salary of a Legal Secretary ranges 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 |
What Tools & Technology do Legal Secretaries Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Legal Secretaries may use on a daily basis:
- 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?
What education or degrees do I need to become a Legal Secretary?
How many years of work experience do I need?
Who Employs Legal Secretaries?
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
Other Jobs You May be Interested In
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.
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