Legal Secretary

Description

As a Legal Secretary, you will join a legal team in a supporting capacity, providing administrative assistance to fee earners.

While your specific responsibilities may vary based on the specialisms of the firm you work in, the typical day-to-day duties of a Legal Secretary are to:

• Document management and preparation including audio and copy typing, amending and formatting documents, creating templates
• Meet with clients to sign and witness legal documents
• Open and close client files, ensuring records are up to date and prepare client invoices in conjunction with cashiers and fee earners
• Diary management, making arrangements for meetings, booking travel and accommodation
• Deal with clients by phone and email, taking messages, answering routine queries and general calls
  
  

Typical Rate

Dependent on your level of experience and the location, the typical salary for a Legal Secretary can be between £17,000 and £22,000. However, someone with a strong legal secretarial background working in a large London law firm may earn up to £40,000.

Required Skills and Experience

While there may not be any set qualifications required to become a Legal Secretary, most employers will require you to have the following skills: 

• Previous experience in a legal secretarial role
• Strong IT skills. This may include experience using a case management system
• Excellent communication skills, with a good telephone manner and client care expertise
• Excellent accuracy, attention to detail and organisational skills
• Some employers may require candidates to be experienced with Copy & Audio typing (digital dictation) 65wpm/90%+ accuracy

FAQs

• Do I need experience?

  Yes. You will be required to have previous legal secretarial experience. Some employers may also require that your experience relates to the areas of law you will be working on, for example, commercial.