5 Excellent Tips on Becoming Legal Secretary

A successful legal secretary is invaluable to any legal practice or individual attorneys. If you are discrete, tactful and a self-starter who enjoys interacting in the legal field, this might just be the career for you. However, you have to maneuver through detailed steps if you want to be a successful legal secretary. The following tips will give you some idea to have an edge against your competition.

What it takes to be a legal secretary

Your Administrative skills have to be sharply honed to make a successful career in this field. You also have to train in technology most suitable to keep at this position – spreadsheet creation, bill tracking, presentations, management of documents and videoconferencing. You also have to be good at writing skills. Often it comes down to the secretaries to handle correspondences and reports. You also have to be good at legal research and retaining legal terminology. Interpersonal skills and tact are very coveted qualities in a legal secretary.

Expected job descriptions

The bureau of labor statistics provides the following points as the expected job description of legal secretaries

• Complete specialized tasks that require technical knowledge about recent procedures and terminology.
• Prepare correspondences and legal papers – summons (es), complaints, motions, subpoenas, and responses to legal queries. these tasks are completed under the supervisor or direction of the attorney or paralegal
• Assisting with legal research from the library, recent court records, legal journals, and technological access to various databases. This also includes verification of citations and briefs prepared by the attorneys.
• Apart from the responsibilities, a legal secretary also trains fresher attorneys regarding the ways of drafting reports, briefs, and legal paperwork for the court.

Educational prerequisites for the job

The degree level for the position depends on the attorney or the employing legal practice. However, at least a high school diploma to a bachelor’s degree range is expected. You will need to complete a certification by NALS (National Association of Legal Secretaries) or legal secretaries International to be registered in the field. Technological training should include database management, presentation software, Microsoft word, excel and emailing software proficiency. Apart from this you will need to have a high typing speed (65 wpm or higher).

Making the right choice of specialty

Selecting a legal specialty in law will help plan a more focused training strategy. You can streamline choice of legal firms based on the choice of specialty.

• Criminal law deals with illegal acts against members of the society or Government bodies. Punishments include imprisonment, fines, as well as community work. in some cases more than one punishments are applicable
• Civil law deals with property disputes and society rules. The punishments in this case are usually monetary.
• Divorce law deals with divorce cases. This includes alimony payments, inventory of assets and distribution amongst both parties

Securing the best positions

Self-marketing is important to be noticed in the field. The cover letter should be concise, decisive and clearly outline why the firm should hire you. Mention all your work experiences and internships within the first few segments of the CV. attach recommendation letters from previous employees and provide references that will vouch for your skills.