Legal Secretary

Your Fit

Income

$52K

Preparation

Medium

Growth

-21.8%

Definition
Your fit with this career
How much they earn
What they do
Job satisfaction
How to become

What is a Legal Secretary?

A Legal Secretary provides administrative support to attorneys and legal executives, handling a variety of tasks related to legal documentation, correspondence, and office management. They play a crucial role in ensuring that the legal office operates efficiently and effectively.

Sample job titles:

Legal Administrative Assistant (Legal Admin Assistant), Legal Office Support Assistant, Legal Practice Assistant, Legal Secretary

Your test results

Why this fit score?

The fit report shows your areas of fit and misfit with Legal Secretary.

Fit report

Test scores

The scores report summarizes what we learned about you. It shows your results on everything measured in the career test.

Scores report

How much does a Legal Secretary earn

Income data is from Employment and Social Development Canada's 2024 wage tables. The closest match for this career in Canada’s occupational classification system is Legal Secretary.

Bottom 10%	Bottom 25%	Median (average)	Top 25%	Top 10%
$37K per year	$45K per year	$52K per year	$62K per year	$74K per year

Compared to other careers: Median is $13K below the national average.

See income by country/state/province

What does a Legal Secretary do?

Work environment

Legal Secretaries typically work in law firms, legal departments of large corporations, government agencies, or courts. The environment is professional and office-based, requiring standard office hours, although overtime may be necessary when preparing for cases or meeting tight deadlines.

Quick task list

Drafts, formats, and proofreads legal documents and correspondence.
Schedules appointments and meetings, and maintains attorneys' calendars.
Manages case files, including organizing and tracking important documents.
Communicates with clients, attorneys, and court personnel.
Handles billing and accounting tasks specific to legal services.

See full list of tasks with expert relevance ratings

Areas of specialization

Litigation Legal Secretary: Specializing in supporting litigation attorneys, managing case files, and court documents.
Corporate Legal Secretary: Focusing on corporate law, aiding in the preparation of contracts, and corporate filings.
Real Estate Legal Secretary: Assisting with real estate transactions, property deeds, and closings.
Family Law Secretary: Working with attorneys specializing in family law cases, including divorce and custody.
Intellectual Property Legal Secretary: Assisting in filing patents, trademarks, and handling IP litigation documentation.

Description

Legal Secretaries are vital to the smooth operation of a legal practice. They need a thorough understanding of legal terminology and procedures, as well as strong organizational skills to manage the flow of critical legal documents. The role requires meticulous attention to detail, as accuracy is paramount in legal documentation and correspondence.

In addition to administrative skills, a Legal Secretary must possess excellent communication skills, as they often serve as a liaison between the attorney and clients, other attorneys, and court personnel. Proficiency in various software, including word processing, spreadsheets, and legal management software, is essential.

The job provides a unique insight into the legal process and can be highly rewarding for those interested in law. It offers opportunities for continual learning and specialization in various areas of legal practice. Career advancement can lead to senior legal secretary roles or managerial positions within administrative departments.

Job Satisfaction

Sources of satisfaction

Being an integral part of a legal team and contributing to successful legal outcomes.
The intellectual challenge and variety of working in different areas of law.
Opportunities for continuous learning and professional growth within the legal field.

You might make a good Legal Secretary if you are...

Highly organized and able to manage multiple tasks efficiently.
Detail-oriented, with strong skills in writing and editing.
Interested in law and legal processes.
Proficient in using office software and willing to learn specialized legal software.
A strong communicator, capable of professional interaction with a variety of individuals.

Pros:

Steady employment in a professional environment.
Exposure to various aspects of the legal system.
Opportunities for specialization and career advancement.

Cons:

Can involve high-pressure situations, especially when meeting court or filing deadlines.
May require overtime or extended hours.
The need for continual learning to keep up with changes in legal procedures and technology.

How to become a Legal Secretary

Typical education

A high school diploma is usually required, with most skills learned on the job. However, employers may prefer candidates who have completed post-secondary education in legal studies or a related field, which can range from a certificate to an associate degree, adding 1-2 years of schooling.

High school preparation

Courses:

English and Writing for strong communication skills.
Business Studies to understand basic office practices.
Computer Science to develop proficiency in relevant software.

Extra-Curricular Activities:

Participating in debate clubs or mock trial to gain an understanding of legal processes.
Volunteering in community legal services or internships in law firms.
Engaging in detail-oriented activities like journalism or yearbook committee.

Preparation after high school

Completing a certificate or associate degree in legal studies, paralegal studies, or a related field.
Gaining experience through internships or entry-level positions in legal settings.
Attending workshops or seminars on legal software, legal document preparation, and office management.

More resources

National Association of Legal Secretaries (NALS) - Offers education, certification, and networking for legal support professionals.
Legal Secretaries International Inc. - Provides resources and professional development opportunities.
American Association for Paralegal Education (AAfPE) - Offers information on educational programs and career paths in the legal field.

Similar careers

Similarity is based on what people in the careers do, what they know, and what they are called. The process of establishing similarity lists is described in this white paper.