Legal Secretary Career Guide and Counseling

Question: what sort of training does someone need to become a legal secretary? I keep seeing ads for paralegals, but I'm not interested in that. Are the online programs good. Don't I need training that specifically works with my state's legal system? Are there any legal secretary training programs online? I couldn't find any...

Answer: If you are interested in legal secretary (not paralegal), you should take an inexpensive, but quality online course with UPDATED information (INCLUDING MS Word Computer Applications needed for the legal office) which can be found at legalclasses.com. What's good about this course is that it includes: MS Word Legal Computer Applications, curriculum for working in a top/large law firm and the legal way of doing everything. There is NO firm wide certification needed in the U.S. to become a legal secretary. Employers want to know if you know 1) the legal way to send faxes, emails, make copies and calls (using the client matter system); 2) how to use ADVANCE MS Word computer applications (TOC, TOA, Styles, Indexing) and 3) how to use the latest Legal Technology (using a DMS, blacklining, DeltaView, Legal MacPac etc.) You can also learn the skills needed to ace a legal job placement agency "styles test" and MAKEOVER your resume to find a job by taking this online course.

Question: What can should I major in if I want to be a legal secretary? I want to be a legal secretary, but I also want to get a bachelor's degree. Could I major in pre-law or what? I've researched it with no luck- any help is greatly appreciated. Actually, I am very ambitious. I was going to go into law, but then decided I didn't want a job to run my life. I don't want to be a lawyer, it's too cut throat and it's not my thing. I want to be a legal secretary. I want to work with people and write and research. ..Oh, and sorry for the grammatical diarrhea in the question...I have no clue why I typed it that way. It should read, "What should I major in if I want to be a legal secretary?"

Answer: To be a legal secretary, one doesn't necessarily need a specific degree, because it's mainly administrative clerical functions. If you're a good typist and administrative assistant, and can handle learn some legal jargon and business, then you'll do OK. But if you want to obtain some specific training, then I would suggest going to Community College for an Associates or Certificate in something like Paralegal or Legal Assistant. Even something like Office Skills or Administrative Assistant, combined with a course in Intro to Law would probably sufficient.

Question: If there were an e-book available for purchase online on how to become a legal secretary would you buy it? I am going to write a comprehensive guide with resources and helpful links for people who want to become legal secretaries. I have over 26 years experience as a certified legal secretary. I just want to know if there's a market out there for it.

Answer: I think you could sell an ebook if it includes some of the best guidance from your career. Do you believe your audience will by young people? High school grads? If you want to make money at it, though, why not create a blog? Use the blog to build interest and answer some questions, and sell, sell, sell that book! Maybe even charge for personalized coaching by email.

Question: What classes i coul take in high school to help me in college to be a legal secretary? what classes I coul take in high school to be a legal secretary? I need this to fast please!!!!!!!!!

Answer: higher english and secretarial studies will be a start

Question: Should I work at a law firm as a legal secretary and work from home for extra cash? I am looking at working at a law firm as a legal secretary and since I would like to relocate to Los Angeles, I could have a second job by working from home for extra cash for extra income toward rent and everything else which can really help my future out. My question is should I do this as I plan to do and is it a good idea?

Answer: Sure, why not. Since you'll be working with lawyers, be careful to avoid anything that might be seen as a conflict of interest (e.g., doing extra work for a client of the firm and getting paid under the table for it -- that's a definite no-no). L.A. is kind of expensive so you'll need all the income you can get. Good luck.

Question: Where Can I Get Financial Help For Legal Secretary Course? I want to do the Legal Secretary Distance Learning course. However, being unemployed, I cannot afford the course fees of £450. I was wondering therefore if anybody knows of any grants/loans I could apply for to help me pay for this course. I don't think the Jobcentre helps financially with this kind of course. I am unemployed and living on Merseyside.

Answer: For legal secretary course, I found interesting information about your answer, college loans,SCHOLARSHIPS, college grants & partime works here.http://all-student-loan-consolidation.blogspot.com/2007/07/scholarships.htmlGood luck!

Question: Is there a degree or any type of education needed for becoming a legal secretary? I want to get into the law area for a career such as a legal secretary or even a paralegal. Is there any type of eduation, like some type of degree, or a certification class that can help me?

Answer: To be a legal secretary you do not need a degree. It is an entry level position and a great start if you are considering becoming a paralegal. What I would recommend is to find a job at a law office as a legal secretary. Locate an American Bar Association accreditited institute in your area that offers a paralegal program. The best ones are 2 year degree programs. You can find a list of the places in your area on the ABA's website (http://www.abanet.org). Work as a legal secretary and get your associates degree in paralegal studies. If you talk to your firm, they might just promote you to paralegal after you graduate. If not, it is kind of hard to find a paralegal job without any experience as a paralegal, but having a degree and law office experience will help you. This is the course I took to become a paralegal and it worked for me. Good luck to you! =]

Question: What is the lifestyle of a legal secretary? I am thinking of being a legal secretary and want to know what the pay is like and what the job is like and what kind of life style I can have as a legal secretary

Answer: Being a legal secretary can be very rewarding and alot of hard work. But it depends mostly on who you work for. My cousin works for a very generous lawyer who gives her large Christmas bonuses ($4000) and surprise bonuses of $1000 when he wins a big case. But she works her butt off for him, so its not like it comes easy. The nice thing about being a legal secretary is that you get to be around a lot of well educated people. You will also get to learn alot about law. Just make sure secretarial work is for you. If you don't like typing or filing paper work, you will be miserable. My cousin makes about 50k a year (which is a wonderful salary) but you may start off between 27-38k a year depending on the city you live in etc. I think you will make a very nice living as a legal secretary if you put your mind to it and work hard. Good luck.

Question: What is a floater legal secretary? I am helping a friend look for jobs. She has a paralegal's certificate and a master's in legal analysis. I saw a position for a floater legal secretary but I'm not sure what the floater part means. Can anyone help me out? She received her master's degree in March 2007 and hasn't had a job in her field yet. All the positions except legal secretary are asking for 3 - 8 years experience. We're having such a hard time because she has the education but not the actual job experience.

Answer: I will have to disagree with the other posters as to floater secretaries...at a law firm I worked at, the floater was well-respected and sometimes preferred over the long-term secretary. The floater secretary takes over a "regular" secretary's desk during the time he/she is sick, has a vacation, and/or is on some type of leave (family, pregnancy, etc.). If there are no secretaries that are out for the day, the floater secretary helps out where needed - and is usually also considered the "overflow" secretary (where various secretaries have too much work being generated by the parner/associate he/she works for and needs help getting the work done). Eventually, if additional attorneys are hired (not including mergers of firms where they bring their own staff), the floater secretary usually has the opportunity to become a permanent secretary and a new floater secretary is hired. However, I agree with the other posters who say she is overqualified to be a floater secretary...however, if she has a difficult time getting a position as a paralegal, the floater secretary is a way into the firm (and then one can get promoted to paralegal)....at least, the floater secretary will have the same benefits as a regular employee, rather than a temporary employee.

Question: Is paralegal and legal secretary the same thing or is it different? Also, what school offers this as a major? I am looking to be a legal secretary/paralegal basically the one that has the most money if there different.

Answer: Paralegal and legal secretary are two entirely different things. A legal secretary is just what the title implies -- a secretary that does legal paperwork like typing briefs, filing court documents, answering the telephone, making copies, word processing, etc. Legal secretaries do not need a college degree. A paralegal is someone who has a paralegal degree from an accredited college or university. Paralegals are able to do much more than a legal secretary. They can actually meet with clients, draw up legal paperwork, draft briefs, do research, etc. They cannot, however, represent a client in court. That's where they differ from lawyers. Paralegals have the potential to make more money than a legal secretary, but it takes many years of experience to get to the upper rung of the pay scale. Starting salary between the two isn't really that different.

Question: what legal secretary's job does not involve good command of English? for eg. Conveyancing secretary? if a person is less able of speech, would he still be able to be a legal secretary? thanks.

Answer: No. You have to be able to understand and communicate with your coworkers and attorneys. Secretaries are always on the phone too. So if you have trouble speaking english then maybe you should consider being a clerk instead of a secretary.

Question: With a science background how easy is it for me to be a legal secretary at a big law firm? Well I graduated with a Biology degree from University of Virginia (a good school). Then I worked as a Biology research assistant at UVA, then MIT. So I have extensive research skills. Problem is I lost interest in science a long time ago. Because in the academia we are expected to work over time without pay it is hard for me to take classes in the field I am interested in which is law. I would very very much like to work for a big law firm as a legal secretary before I decide if I want to go to law school or not. So how likely am I to get a job like that? Any lawyers, HR personal out there? Thanks!

Answer: It is difficult given that you don't have any experience. I would suggest you visit a recruitment agency that specialises in the legal field. You might have to start as a legal Receptionist or Juinor...p.s generally speaking you would need a typing speed of at least 65 wpm so start typing....good luck!

Question: how do i become a legal secretary? I work as an Administrative Assistant and I have a degree in Translation. I was wondering how do I become a legal secretary? how long does it take to study for that? can it be done online?

Answer: You don't need to study to be a legal secretary...see if you can temp as a secretary in a law firm (there are employment agencies which specifically deal with legal staffing positions)....if you prove yourself, the firm which you are assigned may offer you a full time job.

Question: does the legal secretary have the power to revoke your driving priledges in ohio? i was under the impression that only the person with that kinda power was the judge or the dmv...basicly the clerk/secretary had a bad day and took it upon hims to revoke my privledges because for no apparent reason.

Answer: No secretary has that authority. Report her to the judge. She is also a state employee. Report her to the governor. Yes, really. You're not the first person she's done this to. But you can be the last.

Question: How do I find a job as a legal secretary without looking online ? I am currently pursuing my degree in Paralegal Sciences and would love to begin working as a secretary or a receptionist at a law firm to gain experience. I have applied online for dozens of jobs, and have not received a single callback. Are there any other job-hunting resources I can try?

Answer: the best thing would be to write letters to the HR managers in solicitors practices but you will need to be able to show that you can type well. I would follow this up with a phone call a week or so after sending the letter and explain your position. If you are actually studying at the minute then they will probably be more likely than if you were to say "in the future i am going to study...". Also, try recruitment agencies, but if you have no office experience or typing/admin qualifications then you will have to look at sorting that first.

Question: What should I use for a writing sample for a legal secretary job interview? I have a job interview to be a secretary at a law firm. It's a great opportunity, because the vast majority of them want previous experience; this one doesn't require it. Because I don't have previous law secretary experience, I really want to impress them. Someone suggested to submit a writing sample, even though the firm didn't tell me to bring one. It's an excellent idea, but I don't know what kind of sample I should bring! Can you help me by giving me some ideas?

Answer: Go in with a one page resume and a one page cover letter. Have a sheet with hand written references listed to offer at the end of the interview if you think you'll like the job. A good resume should show some of your ability to organize a document, the cover letter (addressed to the person doing the interview, using their title if they have one) should demonstrate grammer and writing skills and your written reference list will show your handwriting skills. NO SPELLING MISTAKES!!! Express your eagerness to learn and develop a career in the legal field. Leave personal baggage at home, have a smile and present a good attitude toward work. Prepare some questions about the firm and the types of law they practice. Relax, enjoy the experience and soak up the legal atmosphere. Best of luck to you in your interview and your career.