Legal secretary
Encyclopedia
A legal secretary is a particular category of worker within the legal profession.
In the practice of law
in the United States
, a legal secretary is person who works in the legal profession, typically assisting lawyer
s. Legal secretaries help by preparing and filing legal documents, such as appeal
s or motions
. It is not unusual for a larger firm to place managerial duties on a particular legal secretary. Much like a paralegal
, a legal secretary is responsible for locating relevant information for cases. This type of person would be called a "paralegal" in the UK.
In the United Kingdom
and the Commonwealth
, a legal secretary is a secretary experienced in working for a law firm
or in-house legal department
. They assist by giving administrative support to lawyers and are significant members of a team of professionals who work together. The work of a legal secretary varies and can be very interesting. They deal with a wide range of challenging legal and business issues, combining their skills with modern technology.
s for legal secretaries. However, unlike an administrative assistant
, a legal secretary must be familiar with legal procedures. Many colleges and universities offer programs geared towards this career, however, there is not a degree associated with that of a legal secretary. Rather, students are enrolled in existing legal courses, which have been established for those who wish to pursue a career in law, such as a lawyer or police officer
.
In the UK, a legal secretary should have excellent secretarial skills together with a knowledge of law and legal procedures. They must be computer literate and have a good standard of English. People can acquire the legal skills they need through training companies, local colleges or some law firms are willing to train people themselves.
In the practice of law
Practice of law
In its most general sense, the practice of law involves giving legal advice to clients, drafting legal documents for clients, and representing clients in legal negotiations and court proceedings such as lawsuits, and is applied to the professional services of a lawyer or attorney at law, barrister,...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, a legal secretary is person who works in the legal profession, typically assisting lawyer
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
s. Legal secretaries help by preparing and filing legal documents, such as appeal
Appeal
An appeal is a petition for review of a case that has been decided by a court of law. The petition is made to a higher court for the purpose of overturning the lower court's decision....
s or motions
Motion (legal)
In law, a motion is a procedural device to bring a limited, contested issue before a court for decision. A motion may be thought of as a request to the judge to make a decision about the case. Motions may be made at any point in administrative, criminal or civil proceedings, although that right is...
. It is not unusual for a larger firm to place managerial duties on a particular legal secretary. Much like a paralegal
Paralegal
Paralegal is used in most jurisdictions to describe a paraprofessional who assists qualified lawyers in their legal work. This is true in the United States and many other countries. However, in Ontario, Canada, paralegals are licensed by the Law Society of Upper Canada, giving paralegals an...
, a legal secretary is responsible for locating relevant information for cases. This type of person would be called a "paralegal" in the UK.
In the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and the Commonwealth
Commonwealth
Commonwealth is a traditional English term for a political community founded for the common good. Historically, it has sometimes been synonymous with "republic."More recently it has been used for fraternal associations of some sovereign nations...
, a legal secretary is a secretary experienced in working for a law firm
Law firm
A law firm is a business entity formed by one or more lawyers to engage in the practice of law. The primary service rendered by a law firm is to advise clients about their legal rights and responsibilities, and to represent clients in civil or criminal cases, business transactions, and other...
or in-house legal department
General Counsel
A general counsel is the chief lawyer of a legal department, usually in a corporation or government department. The term is most used in the United States...
. They assist by giving administrative support to lawyers and are significant members of a team of professionals who work together. The work of a legal secretary varies and can be very interesting. They deal with a wide range of challenging legal and business issues, combining their skills with modern technology.
Educational background
There is no specific educational requirement in most U.S. stateU.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
s for legal secretaries. However, unlike an administrative assistant
Secretary
A secretary, or administrative assistant, is a person whose work consists of supporting management, including executives, using a variety of project management, communication & organizational skills. These functions may be entirely carried out to assist one other employee or may be for the benefit...
, a legal secretary must be familiar with legal procedures. Many colleges and universities offer programs geared towards this career, however, there is not a degree associated with that of a legal secretary. Rather, students are enrolled in existing legal courses, which have been established for those who wish to pursue a career in law, such as a lawyer or police officer
Police officer
A police officer is a warranted employee of a police force...
.
In the UK, a legal secretary should have excellent secretarial skills together with a knowledge of law and legal procedures. They must be computer literate and have a good standard of English. People can acquire the legal skills they need through training companies, local colleges or some law firms are willing to train people themselves.