what should i know about being a secretary for an attorney

A legal secretary is the attorney’s right-hand person, so reliability is a crucial work trait that will ensure success. This goes beyond showing up promptly. You might occasionally find yourself called upon to stay at your desk long after other offices have closed for the day.

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How to be a good legal secretary?

Apr 19, 2011 · A legal secretary is the attorney’s right-hand person, so reliability is a crucial work trait that will ensure success. This goes beyond showing up promptly. You might occasionally find yourself called upon to stay at your desk long after other offices have closed for the day.

Does the corporate secretary provide legal advice to the company?

You must include all marked exhibits to accompany the document in their proper order, as directed by your attorney. You must be organized from the outset to ensure that everything is packaged as it should be and all parties receive their copies.

What is the role of a secretary in a legal team?

A legal secretary is an administrative assistant trained exclusively in the field of law. Through a comprehensive and specialized training program, legal secretaries are proficient at handling all administrative duties within a law office or legal department setting.

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

Secretary diminishes the legal counsel’s ability to perform his or her core professional responsibilities. The responsibilities of the Corporate Secretary are demanding and cannot be adequately performed if they are assigned to the company’s legal counsel, who has a separately demanding role. Also, the company’s legal counsel may not have

What do I need to know to be a Legal Secretary?

Other common requirements for a legal secretary include:Be at least 18 years old (or 21 in some states).Have a high school diploma or GED certificate.Have secretarial or administrative support skills.A background in the general legal field is helpful.Possess strong communication skills.Be very detail oriented.

What skills should a Legal Secretary have?

The skill set required of a Legal Secretary encompasses the following criteria:Customer service and interpersonal skills. Legal Secretaries are often the first point of contact when approaching a firm. ... Organisation. ... Administration. ... Problem solving. ... Word processing and IT skills. ... Teamwork. ... Attention to detail.Nov 1, 2018

What does a secretary do at a law firm?

Legal Secretaries, or Legal Assistants, perform clerical work at law offices or organisations. Their primary duties include providing Lawyers with direct assistance, scheduling client appointments and organising and maintaining all legal documents kept on-site.

What is the most important thing to consider in working as a Legal Secretary?

Strong grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and language skills are necessary, as well as an understanding of legal terminology. As mentioned above, secretaries must be proficient in word processing applications and transcription equipment.Feb 20, 2021

Is legal secretary difficult?

Legal secretaries are a specialised secretary that are in very high demand in the current market. ... Gaining experience as a Legal Secretary can be difficult, as most firms will look for previous legal experience. However, once you gain even 1 years' experience you will have a skill that is high in demand.Feb 26, 2016

Is a legal secretary a lawyer?

A career as a Legal Secretary is an excellent steppingstone into the legal profession which does not require qualifying as a Legal Executive or Solicitor. However, it is still a demanding and fast-paced job that requires excellent organisation, communication, and administrative skills.Jun 17, 2021

Does legal secretary have job opportunities?

Legal secretaries have very different jobs compared to your average office secretary. Through their activities at work, they play a crucial role in ensuring that the legal system functions properly.May 22, 2019

How much do legal secretaries make?

How much does a legal secretary earn? On average, salaries for legal secretaries are between $50 - $65k per annum.

Is a legal secretary a good job?

Legal Secretaries find their careers enjoyable and rewarding as their work can be very interesting. Legal Secretaries produce legal documents, complete legal forms, type professional correspondence from dictation, liaise with clients and respond to enquiries, as well as performing many other important duties.

What are secretary skills?

Top secretarial skillsVerbal and written communication. ... Computer and technical skills. ... Typing and note-taking. ... Organization. ... Problem solving and critical thinking. ... Attention to detail. ... Customer service abilities. ... Flexibility and adaptability.More items...•Mar 8, 2021

What skills do employers look for in legal secretaries?

Best Transferable Skills for Legal SecretariesCustomer Service and Interpersonal Skills. Legal Secretaries are often the first person a client comes into contact with when approaching a firm. ... Organisation. ... Administration. ... Problem Solving. ... Word Processing and I.T. Skills. ... Teamwork. ... Attention to Detail.Nov 15, 2018

Why do I want to be a legal secretary?

There are lots of different reasons to become a Legal Secretary, including the varied working life, the opportunities to advance your career and increase your earning potential, and the chance to learn about our legal system in depth so that you gain a better understanding of how it governs our society.Dec 3, 2014

Legal Secretaries: Are They Paralegals Or Legal Assistants?

A key difference in the role of legal assistants/paralegals and legal secretaries is that legal assistants/paralegals perform substantive legal wor...

Legal Secretary Job Description

A legal secretary is an administrative assistant trained exclusively in the field of law. Through a comprehensive and specialized training program,...

Legal Secretary Job Functions

Employed in a number of settings, including law firms and legal departments within private corporations, insurance companies and real estate firms,...

The Role of The Legal Secretary within Law Offices and Practice Settings

Similar to lawyers and other law professionals, legal secretaries often specialize in certain areas of law, such as family law, contract law, or wi...

What is a brief in court?

A brief is a written statement prepared by a lawyer and submitted to the court for the following reasons: to outline the pertinent facts of the case; to present the questions of law to be decided; to present the position of the lawyer's client as to those questions;

What is a pleading in law?

Pleadings are formal, written declarations in legal form of logical statements setting forth the facts of the plaintiff's allegations, the defendant's responses, and/or the reasons why each party believes that it is in the right.

What is an affidavit of fact?

Affidavits are voluntary and written statements of fact that are signed and the truth of their content affirmed or sworn to by the declarant before a notary public or another officer authorized to administer oaths. There are usually one or more notary publics in any law office who will apply their seal when required.

What is an amicus brief?

There are four main types of briefs, and you should be aware of each: Amicus brief: a brief submitted by an amicus curiae. It may also be referred to as a brief amicus curiae.

Can an appeal be reversal?

The higher court may or may not agree to review a previous decision, or it may agree to review the appeal but ultimately rule with the prior court's decision; therefore, an appeal is not a guarantee of reversal or review.

What is an interrogatory?

Interrogatories are a form of discovery, or compulsory release, by the opposing party involving the submission of written questions to the other party. These are sent to clarify specific points pertaining to the case that are unclear.

What is an answer in a case?

A response to a pleading, discovery request, or other procedural step taken by any attorney involved in the case. Answers also are pleadings that are a defendant's response to a plaintiff's complaint. Pleadings deny, admit, or address each allegation in a complaint and may also set forth the defendant's affirmative defenses and counterclaims. An answer may also be referred to as a "reply."

What do legal secretaries need to know?

Legal secretaries must have excellent phone and computer skills and must be able to effectively perform a number of routine tasks at a moments notice: Maintain calendars and schedules for a number of attorneys. Develop and maintain a comprehensive and organized billing system.

What is a legal secretary?

Legal Secretary Job Description. A legal secretary is an administrative assistant trained exclusively in the field of law. Through a comprehensive and specialized training program, legal secretaries are proficient at handling all administrative duties within a law office or legal department setting.

How to become a legal secretary?

Legal secretaries must have excellent phone and computer skills and must be able to effectively perform a number of routine tasks at a moments notice: 1 Maintain calendars and schedules for a number of attorneys 2 Develop and maintain a comprehensive and organized billing system 3 Ensure all billable hours are accurately recorded 4 Understand the basics of a number of court documents, such as summons and subpoenas make travel arrangements 5 Arrange for the filing of court documents

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

A key difference in the role of legal assistants/paralegals and legal secretaries is that legal assistants/paralegals perform substantive legal work. Substantive legal work requires a depth of legal understanding and knowledge of procedural law. It is work that attorneys would have to perform themselves in the absence of their paralegals. According to the NFPA, substantive legal work requires the following: recognition, evaluation, organization, analysis, and communication of relevant facts and legal concepts.

What is substantive legal work?

According to the NFPA, substantive legal work requires the following: recognition, evaluation, organization, analysis, and communication of relevant facts and legal concepts. Such work requires education and training.

What is an ABA paralegal?

A legal assistant or paralegal is a person, qualified by education, training or work experience who is employed or retained by a lawyer, law office, corporation, governmental agency or other entity and who performs specifically delegated substantive legal work ...

What is the job of a legal secretary?

While the receptionist of larger or medium-sized firms may be the first person a client or visitor meets, the secretary is nearly always the liaison between the attorney and client. In many cases, you will find yourself in direct contact with the client quite often, particularly when it comes to relaying messages, sending paperwork, having the client provide required information, and scheduling appointments. On some cases, you may even have more contact with a client than your attorney does, especially after he or she has finished an initial consultation.#N#You must be comfortable dealing with people, and you also must know how to deal with difficult or irate people. Many of your boss's clients will be stressed because of a potentially life-altering legal situation; therefore, you always must keep in mind that discretion and understanding is key in helping clients feel at ease. While you may encounter sticky situations, keep in mind that the three most important skills you must have are a neutral attitude, the ability to mediate well, and common sense. If neutrality and mediation escape you, then rely on your common sense. The fact is that no matter what the legal issue or your opinion concerning it or the client personally, you must not make your opinion known. You must consistently maintain a non-biased attitude. In some situations this may be difficult, such as in cases of a criminal nature; however, you must remember that the entire basis of the American justice system is the concept that defendants are "innocent until proven guilty." As one who assists an attorney in defending those accused of criminal acts, your first priority is the client's needs.

How to keep your attorney organized?

It will be your duty to keep your attorney prepared by providing what is needed on a daily basis. This job includes preparing the attorney for court appearances, meetings, and appointments. In addition to using the tools, such as handheld devices, date planners, etc., the basics of staying organized will make your work much easier in the long run. With the excessive amounts of paperwork involved in the practice of law, it is vital to keep things in order as you work. It is tempting to put things aside for later in order to move quickly to another task; however, this will only serve to create a larger time deficit later in the day or week.#N#If you have ever worked with a computer for any length of time, you know how easy it is for things to become disorganized. When you are creating dozens of documents a day, they can, and will, become a tangled, confused mess on your computer if you do not take steps to keep things neat as you work. There are several excellent tips in thisarticlethat will assist you in getting and staying organized so that you are more efficient and prepared and thus become an invaluable aid to your attorney.

What is direct contact with clients?

In many cases, you will find yourself in direct contact with the client quite often, particularly when it comes to relaying messages, sending paperwork, having the client provide required information, and scheduling appointments.

Why do clients get angry?

Perhaps they think their attorney is not available to talk to them as often as they would like, or they believe that the attorney is not taking care of their case because she or he is busy with another case.

How many outgoing phone tips are there?

Do not underestimate the effect proper phone etiquette can have when communicating with others. Below are seven incoming and seven outgoing phone tips that will help you communicate efficiently when answering and receiving business calls.

Do attorneys bill clients?

Attorneys must bill clients for phone calls, meetings, the drafting and filing of documents, and many other time-intensive tasks; thus, billing is the one aspect of the job that the attorney will take sole responsibility for. You will rarely, if ever, be asked to handle client billing.

How to keep your boss prepared for court?

To keep your boss prepared, you need to keep careful track of his or her court dates, appointments, cases, files, clients, and weekly agenda. Most attorneys balk at anyone touching their desks, even if it looks like a complete disaster area. Part of your job will be not moving their papers around or trying to clean their "organized" mess. What you can do, however, is keep them prepared. You should prepare everything the day before when early morning or afternoon meetings or court appearances are scheduled. For late afternoon or early evening meetings, you may be able to prepare for these on the morning of the meeting. If you have kept careful and complete files as paperwork accumulated, nearly everything your attorney needs will be in the client file; so if you have been saving filing for a special day, be sure all documents concerning upcoming meetings are completely up to date and everything is in the file.#N#Depending on the attorney you work for, preparation tasks may be entirely up to you, or the attorney may do some or all of the preparation, asking you only for certain items as needed. Attorneys must bill clients for phone calls, meetings, the drafting and filing of documents, and many other time-intensive tasks; thus, billing is the one aspect of the job that the attorney will take sole responsibility for. You will rarely, if ever, be asked to handle client billing. If you are charged with this task, it most likely will be in the office of a sole practitioner, and you will be shown the proper method.

How to get better at work?

Have a cup of coffee or tea in the morning if you like, or whenever you need a boost. Take breaks and pause to reorganize your desk periodically. Get up from your desk or take a break from what you’re doing for 17 minutes after every 52 minutes , as studies show this makes for the best productivity.

Who is Kathi Burns?

Kathi Burns is a board certified Professional Organizer (CPO) and Founder of Organized and Energized!, her consulting business with a mission to empower people to master their environment and personal image by assisting them in taking control, making change and organizing their lives.

Is WikiHow a copyright?

All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not</b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website.

What do you like about being an attorney?

You might enjoy being an attorney if you like logic puzzles, research, and critical thinking. If logical reasoning doesn't come naturally, you can still develop those skills over time. You might take classes in logic or pick up logic puzzles to hone your skills.

What are the skills required to practice law?

Logical reasoning and critical-thinking skills are essential to the practice of law. Analytical skills are necessary for all practice areas, whether you're structuring a multi-million-dollar deal or developing a trial strategy. You might enjoy being an attorney if you like logic puzzles, research, and critical thinking.

What is constant writing?

Constant Writing. Words are a lawyer’s tool of the trade. Attorneys are expected to be good writers as well as excellent speakers. Trial attorneys will need to master oral and written persuasion as they argue motions, try cases, take depositions, and draft various legal pleadings.

What is public speaking?

Public Speaking. As an attorney, public speaking is a part of your day-to-day life. You'll present information to clients, juries, judges, arbitrators, opposing counsel, witnesses, boards, and colleagues. Trial lawyers present information in the courtroom. Corporate attorneys must be at ease in the boardroom.

How many hours do lawyers work?

This isn't a requirement for all lawyers, but some value-conscious clients might expect you to be accessible around the clock. Most lawyers work full time, and many work more than 40 hours per week. 9  Lawyers who work in public interest venues and academia might have more forgiving schedules, but they often trade high salaries for a better work-life balance.

What is client development?

Client Development. Most law firm attorneys are responsible for client development. Compensation, bonuses, draws, and partnership opportunities are frequently based on an attorney’s ability to bring in business for the firm, at least in part. 10 . If you choose to work for a law firm, you must excel at marketing yourself ...