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Legal Secretary
Legal secretary

How to become a Legal Secretary

What does a Legal Secretary do?

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 system
  • Typing and processing various legal documents, including appeals, summonses and subpoenas
  • Taking incoming calls
  • Scheduling meetings, and organising the calendars of legal executives
  • Carrying out other administrative errands, including photocopying, faxing and ordering stationary

Is a career as a Legal Secretary 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 ability 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 literacy
  • Versatility, and the ability to multi-task
  • Advanced proofreading ability
  • Exceptional communication skills
  • Ability to work under pressure

Explore your opportunities

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Career progression and salary expectations for a Legal Secretary

As a Legal Secretary, you'll start your career by providing administrative support to lawyers and legal executives, managing correspondence, preparing legal documents, and organising files. This entry-level role provides valuable hands-on experience in legal procedures and office management.
As a Senior Legal Secretary, you'll provide expert administrative support to senior lawyers, managing complex correspondence, preparing detailed legal documents, and organising extensive files. This senior role allows you to utilise your comprehensive knowledge of legal procedures and office management, ensuring the smooth and efficient operation of the legal team.
In this advanced position, you'll perform many of the same tasks as a Solicitor, including providing legal advice, managing cases, and representing clients in legal matters. To progress into this role, you'll need to complete Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx) qualifications and have several years of experience working in a legal setting.

Get qualified as a Legal Secretary

While you won't need a specific degree to become a Legal Secretary, relevant qualifications in legal secretarial studies can be beneficial. Practical experience gained through internships or entry-level positions in law firms is valuable for developing necessary skills, and proficiency in legal terminology, document preparation, and office software is also important.

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What's it like to be a Legal Secretary?

"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."

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