How to become a Legal Secretary

How to become a Legal Secretary If you have a methodical approach to your work, and you’re interested in Law, then becoming a Legal Secretary could be the perfect career move for you.The main role of a Legal Secretary is to provide administrative support and services for Lawyers, Solicitors and Legal Executives. It is their job to ensure that an office runs smoothly and efficiently, enabling their employers to focus on serving their clients.Although specific responsibilities vary, the role of a Legal Secretary will usually include the following:Organising and operating the office filing systemTyping and processing various legal documents, including appeals, summonses and subpoenasTaking incoming callsScheduling meetings, and organising the calendars of legal executivesCarrying out other administrative errands, including photocopying, faxing and ordering stationaryIs it right for me?The most vital skill for any Legal Secretary is a high level of organisational ability. You will need good typing skills, and the abi lity to understand complicated legal jargon will be helpful.As you will often be the first point of reference for clients, a friendly and approachable nature is also key to success in this position.Other key skills include:Computer literacyVersatility, and the ability to multi-taskAdvanced proofreading abilityExceptional communication skillsAbility to work under pressureCareer Progression AdministratorUp to £25,000 Legal SecretaryUp to £30,000 Personal AssistantUp to £40,000What's it really like? I didn’t study law at University, but I’ve always been interested in going into the legal profession. One of my friends is a Solicitor, and had actually started as a legal secretary, so I knew it was a great way to get started. The best part of my job is that I can work in a legal environment, but also study part-time to further my career, and earn money whilst I’m doing it. Get qualifiedIt is not a necessary requirement to have a degree to become a Legal Secretary. However, it i s recommended to have some qualifications specific to the industry with good examples including the  Legal Secretaries Distance Learning course, or Diploma.