Legal Secretary Career Guide

Legal secretaries are the people in charge of handling clerical duties at legal offices and law firms. While they are also referred to as administrative assistants or executive assistants, legal secretaries must have more specialized knowledge about legal documents and law proceedings.

In order to be qualified for a position as a legal secretary, individuals must be familiar with basic legal procedures and legal terminology. This understanding of the law is then put to use on a regular basis, as they prepare legal documents like motions, briefs, pleadings, subpoenas, deposition notices, and invoices. Additionally, legal secretaries will often assist with research and communicate with other law professionals.

Many community colleges and technical centers provide legal secretary education that typically takes one to two years to complete. However, even more opportunities are available to those who have earned a bachelor?s degree. The National Association for Legal Professionals (NALS) also offers a certification, and this can be a beneficial addition for aspiring legal secretaries to add to their resumes.

To help you learn more about the career of a legal secretary, we have interviewed individuals working in this field. Check out the career profiles below to learn more about what they do on a daily basis, how they got into this role, and what advice they have to offer those interested in entering the field.