Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants
What is a Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants?
Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants play a crucial role in the legal field by providing essential support to lawyers, paralegals, and other legal professionals. Their primary responsibilities include managing office communications, organizing legal documents, maintaining files, and assisting with case preparation. They serve as the backbone of a law office, ensuring that operations run smoothly and efficiently. Often, they are tasked with drafting correspondence, managing schedules, and coordinating meetings and appointments.
These professionals are well-versed in legal terminology and procedures, allowing them to communicate effectively with both clients and legal professionals. They often handle sensitive information, requiring a strong understanding of confidentiality and ethical considerations within the legal context. Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants must also be familiar with various legal software and technology systems that aid in document management, case tracking, and billing procedures.
In addition to their administrative duties, they may also assist in research and document preparation for trials and hearings, highlighting the importance of their role in the legal process. Overall, Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants are integral to maintaining the efficiency and professionalism of a law office, making them vital contributors to the success of legal teams.
Tasks
- Organize and maintain law libraries, documents, and case files.
- Mail, fax, or arrange for delivery of legal correspondence to clients, witnesses, and court officials.
- Prepare and distribute invoices to bill clients or pay account expenses.
- Prepare, proofread, or process legal documents, such as summonses, subpoenas, complaints, appeals, motions, or pretrial agreements.
- Make photocopies of correspondence, documents, and other printed matter.
Technology Skills
-
Accounting software
- QuickBooks Online
- Intuit QuickBooks
- Sage Business Cloud Accounting
- Vertican Technologies Collection Master
-
Cloud-based data access and sharing software
- Dropbox
-
Data base user interface and query software
- Microsoft SQL Server
- Electronic adjudication management systems EAM
- LexisNexis Time Matters
- Microsoft Access 365
-
Document management software
- AbacusNext HotDocs
- Adobe Acrobat DC
- Filing system software
- SharePoint Online
-
Word processing software
- Electronic diary software
- Microsoft Word 365
- Transcription software
- WordPerfect Office
Tools Used
- Photocopiers
- Scanners
- Typewriters
- Microfiche or microfilm viewer components or accessories
- Notebook computers
Knowledge
-
Administrative
Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.
-
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
-
Law and Government
Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
-
Computers and Electronics
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
-
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Skills
-
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.
-
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
-
Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
-
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
-
Time Management
Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Abilities
-
Near Vision
The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
-
Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
-
Written Comprehension
The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
-
Oral Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
-
Written Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
Education
How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation?
-
Associate's degree
-
High school diploma or equivalent
or: GED, High School Equivalency Certificate
-
Post-secondary certificate
Awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in Personnel Services, Engineering-related Technologies, Vocational Home Economics, Construction Trades, Mechanics and Repairers, Precision Production Trades)
Work Activities
-
Performing Administrative Activities
Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
-
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
-
Working with Computers
Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
-
Processing Information
Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
-
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
Detailed Work Activities
- Record information about legal matters.
- Prepare documentation for contracts, transactions, or regulatory compliance.
- Send information, materials or documentation.
- Prepare legal documents.
- Proofread documents, records, or other files to ensure accuracy.
Work Interests
-
Conventional
Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.
-
Enterprising
Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.
Job Outlook
Projected salary and job growth
$34780.0 - $82890.0
New job opportunities are less likely in the future. : Below Average
Assessment
Related assessments and tests
No assessment available.