Gavin Howe
A legal secretary is a highly skilled professional who plays an integral role in law firms, barrister's chambers, and legal departments by providing administrative and clerical support to legal professionals. They ensure the smooth running of the workplace, helping lawyers do their jobs more effectively.
There are various routes to becoming a legal secretary. While there are no absolute academic requirements, earning an associate's degree or a certificate in legal secretary skills will help prepare you for the complexities of the role. You can also gain relevant work experience through apprenticeship or trainee programs, or by working as an administrative assistant or receptionist at a law firm.
In this paragraph, we will explore the steps to becoming a legal secretary, including educational requirements, work experience, and the skills needed to succeed in this dynamic and rewarding career.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Education | A 2-year associate's degree or a 1-2 semester certificate in legal secretary skills is recommended. |
| Minimum Requirements | Be at least 18 years old (21 in some states), have a high school diploma or GED certificate, and be a U.S. citizen (federal level only). |
| Skills | Secretarial or administrative support skills, strong communication skills, attention to detail, legal knowledge, and proficiency in Microsoft Office. |
| Experience | Voluntary work, apprenticeships, or other relevant work experience are advantageous. |
| Certification | Voluntary but recommended. The National Association of Legal Secretaries (NALS) offers certifications such as Accredited Legal Secretary (ALS) and Professional Legal Secretary (PLS). |
| Job Application | Search for open positions, work with placement agencies, or send letters of inquiry to prospective employers. |
| Training | On-the-job training is often required for successful candidates, lasting from a week to a few months. |
| Career Advancement | Legal secretaries can advance within an organization through exemplary performance, standing out with their skills and knowledge. |
What You'll Learn
Pursue Higher Education
Although there are no formal educational requirements to become a legal secretary, it is highly recommended to complete an associate degree program or certification if you want to work in a law firm. A formal education will strengthen your resume, skill set, and fundamental knowledge. Working as a legal secretary requires a high degree of legal comprehension, professionalism, and attention to detail.
A 2-year associate's degree or a 1-to-2-semester certificate in legal secretary skills will help prepare you for the complexities of work in a legal office. Most legal secretary programs cover law office practices, keyboarding, computers, word processing, legal terminology, and law.
Relevant undergraduate programs include bachelor's degrees or associate degrees in criminal justice, paralegal studies, legal assistance, legal support services, and public administration. General programs like secretarial science, business administration, finance, and bookkeeping are also applicable to entry-level positions.
Foundation courses include:
- The American Legal System
- The U.S. Criminal Justice System
- Constitutional law
- Criminal law
- Ethics and the law
- Legal transcription
- Office procedures
- Word processing
- Algebra
- Computer-aided legal research
- Computing literacy and applications
- Database administration
- Records management
- Introduction to managerial accounting
- Organizational behavior
Electives include:
- Written communication
- Human resources management
- Human relations
- Public speaking
- Stenography
- Income tax preparation
- Marketing
- Law office management
- Consumer law
- Employment law
- Family law
- Intellectual property law
- Litigation
A Legal Secretaries Diploma is a nationally recognised qualification that can help you gain the skills and knowledge necessary to be competent in this role. The course covers various areas of law, the history of law and its evolution, legal document production, and how to complete legal forms.
Gaining a qualification is the best way to acquire the legal knowledge and practical skills needed to work as a legal secretary. Law firms and legal recruiters often check to see if candidates have a legal secretarial qualification on their CVs as evidence of their capabilities.
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Get Professional Certifications
Although there are no mandatory academic requirements to become a legal secretary, earning a 2-year associate's degree or a 1-2 semester certificate in legal secretary skills will help you prepare for the complexities of the work. A legal secretary course will teach you about the various areas of law, legal document production, and the day-to-day tasks involved in a legal secretary role.
The National Association of Legal Support Professionals (NALS) offers several certifications, including:
- Accredited Legal Professional (ALP)
- Professional Legal Secretary (PLS)
- Certified Legal Professional (CLP)
Additionally, the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) offers the Certified Legal Secretary Specialist (CLS) certification. These courses will provide you with the technical skills and specialised knowledge needed in your career as a legal secretary.
Legal secretary certification is voluntary but highly recommended as many employers require it. Legal secretaries or law office managers who have completed an approved paralegal training course or have one year of legal experience can take an exam to become an Accredited Legal Secretary (ALS).
The Legal Secretaries International organisation confers the Certified Legal Secretary Specialist (CLSS) title in specialised areas such as civil trial, real estate, probate, and business law to those with five years of law-related experience who pass an examination.
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Gain Work Experience
Gaining relevant work experience is a great way to strengthen your resume and make yourself a more appealing candidate to employers. Some firms and organisations offer apprenticeship or trainee programs, which can provide valuable on-the-job experience and insight into what it's like to work as a legal secretary. This experience can also help you develop the skills and knowledge necessary to work as a legal secretary and understand your role within the firm's operations.
If you're considering a career as a legal secretary, you can gain relevant experience by taking on part-time work in the legal industry, applying for positions at law firms, or volunteering your time and skills by helping lawyers with their casework. Working as an administrative assistant or receptionist at a law firm can also provide valuable experience, as these roles will familiarise you with the relevant laws and procedures.
When applying for positions as a legal secretary, employers will be looking for candidates with similar work experience. Having previously worked as a legal secretary will show employers that you have the skills needed to succeed in the position.
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Meet Minimum Requirements
There are no standard hiring practices or requirements for becoming a law secretary. Each office will have its own unique requirements depending on its individual needs. However, there are some general minimum requirements that you should meet to increase your chances of being hired.
Firstly, you must be at least 18 years old, or 21 in some states. You will also need to have completed high school, with good grades, especially in English and Maths. A university degree is not always necessary, but it is advantageous and may be required by some employers. An associate degree in criminal justice, paralegal studies, legal assistance, or a related field is a good option. Alternatively, you can obtain a 1-2 semester certificate in legal secretary skills. This will provide you with the necessary knowledge and skills to work in a legal office.
In addition to your education, you should also possess strong communication skills, be very detail-oriented, and have some secretarial or administrative support skills. A background in the legal field is also beneficial but not mandatory. Some employers may require relevant work experience, which can be gained through voluntary work, apprenticeships, or previous employment in a law firm or legal setting.
Finally, some employers may conduct background checks as part of their hiring process. This may include looking into your credit history, criminal record, substance abuse history, and driving record. Therefore, it is essential to be aware of any requirements or disqualifying factors that may impact your application.
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Apply for a Position
There is no specific season for applications to legal secretarial positions, so it is best to search routinely for open positions or work with a placement agency. Networking is also beneficial, as it may help you learn about job opportunities and which offices are the best to work for.
When applying for a position as a legal secretary, it is important to read the job overview and description thoroughly. Applications should be submitted by the published deadline and should include correct information, presented as neatly and legibly as possible. Unless expressly disallowed, a pro forma application may be sent with a cover letter that summarises your achievements and capabilities.
In cases where there are no job announcements, it is acceptable to send a letter of inquiry to prospective employers. This letter should introduce you as a competent legal secretary who can be considered and contacted as soon as there is a vacancy. Prospective employers can be researched online or through local media channels. If phone numbers or email addresses are listed, this is usually an invitation for polite inquiries.
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Frequently asked questions
While there are no mandatory academic requirements, an associate's degree or a 1-2 semester certificate in legal secretary skills will help you prepare for the work. A Legal Secretaries Diploma is also a good idea, as it's a nationally recognised qualification that will help you gain the skills and knowledge needed for the role.
It's not essential, but it will strengthen your application. Some firms offer apprenticeship or trainee programmes, which can give you valuable on-the-job experience.
You'll need to be highly organised, with excellent communication skills and meticulous attention to detail. Fast and accurate transcription skills are also important, as well as a good grasp of legal terminology.
A law secretary provides administrative and research support to legal professionals. They ensure the smooth running of the office, handling tasks such as drafting legal documents, maintaining case files, scheduling meetings and conducting legal research.
