Legal Secretary

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Work Tasks

• Prepare legal papers such as summonses, complaints, motions, and subpoenas
• Help with legal research by reviewing law journals
• Answer phones, greet clients, make appointments, file papers, fill out forms, run office equipment, type letters, and contact clients
• May record testimonies, write meeting minutes, do office bookkeeping, oversee the law library, and notarize documents for clients
• Work in private offices and reception areas for law firms, private lawyers' offices, the government, local court systems, and corporate legal departments
• Work with computers, office machines, law journals, reference books, court hearings, legal briefs, wills, summonses, client files, and financial records

Salary, Size & Growth

• $48,000 average per year ($23.00 per hour)
• A large occupation (228,700 workers in 2010)
• Expected to grow moderately (1.8% per year)

Education/Training

• Minimum for Entry: A high school diploma and training in office practices and legal terminology
• Employers Prefer: A 4-year degree with knowledge of office software
• Skills/Courses: Extensive knowledge of legal terminology, word processing, spreadsheets, and database management
• Certification/Licensing: Certification is available after a year or more of work experience.