Legal Secretary Job Description

The legal secretary job description records the core tasks, activities and responsibilities associated with the legal secretary position.

Legal secretaries are employed in law offices, financial companies and government offices. The position may vary from office to office but the key duties of a legal secretary remain standard.

LEGAL SECRETARY JOB DESCRIPTION

General Purpose

Provide secretarial and administrative support to legal professionals

Main Job Tasks, Duties and Responsibilities

• prepare and manage correspondence
• prepare and process standard legal documents including subpoenas, contracts, summonses, appeals, warrants and motions
• organize and coordinate legal meetings including client interviews, hearings and depositions
• maintain schedules and calendars including court diaries
• take, type and distribute minutes of meetings and interviews
• prepare forms including accident reports, courtroom requests and client applications
• proofread and edit legal documents
• set up and maintain databases and files
• document and maintain case details
• handle incoming mail and calls
• communicate verbally and in writing to answer inquiries and provide information
• organize delivery of legal correspondence to clients, witnesses and court officials
• conduct research and collate information relevant to cases
• arrange hearing dates
• file motions
• follow up on pending court cases
• maintain law libraries
• assist with billing
• implement and maintain office systems

Education and Experience

• relevant training or qualification
• knowledge and experience of relevant software applications
• processing, presentations and database management
• working knowledge of legal procedures and legal terminology
• knowledge of local, state and federal filing rules
• proficient in spelling, punctuation, grammar and other English language skills
• knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures
• transcription and typing skills

Key Skills and Competencies

• verbal and written communication skills
• attention to detail
• confidentiality
• planning and organizing
• information management
• integrity
• judgment and decision-making
• customer-service orientation
• initiative
• reliability
• stress tolerance

Legal secretary resume and cover letter

Use the sample legal secretary resume to build a professional and persuasive resume.

Include a job-winning legal secretary cover letter with your job application.

Legal secretary key skills

Employers have identified the following key skills for a successful  legal secretary:

• Attention to detail and accuracy to produce error-free, quality documentation
• sound computer skills including good typing speed and  proficiency in a variety of computer applications
• organizational skills including efficient prioritizing, scheduling,  multi-tasking and time management to meet deadlines
  
• verbal and written communication skills - the ability to express oneself clearly and concisely and strong writing skills including good grammar, spelling and language skills
• excellent research, data collection and data management skills

What is the difference between a legal secretary and a paralegal?

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Latest Update - Legal Secretary Average Salary

According to Indeed.com the average salary for US-based job postings for an experienced Legal Secretary on the site is $61,000 per year as of January 2023.

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