Occupation Details
Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants
Perform secretarial duties using legal terminology, procedures, and documents. Prepare legal papers and correspondence, such as summonses, complaints, motions, and subpoenas. May also assist with legal research.
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Interests
Enterprising
Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
Conventional
Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Work Values
Working Conditions
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
Relationships
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
Support
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
Salary & Job Outlook
Starting Salary
$41,150.00
New York StateMedian Salary
$62,810.00
New York StateExperienced Salary
$78,560.00
New York StateNational Average for Comparison
New York State Job Market Outlook
Jobs Right Now (2018)
11,470
professionals in NYFuture Job Growth (2030)
9,650
+-182 jobs/yearNew Jobs Every Year
945
new opportunities yearlyGrowth Rate
-0.2%
projected increasePreparation: Experience, Training, and Education
The list below outlines the prior educational experience required to perform in this occupation.
College Helps - Some college classes or training
Experience Requirements
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Education Requirements
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Training Details
Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Transferrable Skills and Experience
These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include hydroelectric production managers, desktop publishers, electricians, agricultural technicians, barbers, court reporters and simultaneous captioners, and medical assistants.
School Programs
The following lists school programs which are applicable to this occupation.
Licensing & Certification
State License and Certifications Requirements are not currently associated with this occupation.
Apprenticeship
Contact your regional representative to learn more about apprenticeships available in your area by visiting Apprenticeship Contacts.
Skills
The list below includes the skills required by workers in this occupation; skills are what allow you to learn more quickly and improve your performance.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Time Management
Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Skill level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Knowledge
The list below includes knowledge items, the principles and facts required by this occupation.
Administrative
Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.
Law and Government
Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Computers and Electronics
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Knowledge level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Work Environment
The list below includes the physical and social factors that influence the nature of work in this occupation.
Hover over or tap each factor to see its description.
Work Styles
Included in the list below are the personal work style characteristics that can affect how well a worker is likely to perform in this occupation.
Analytical Thinking
Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Concern for Others
Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
Cooperation
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Independence
Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Initiative
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Persistence
Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Self-Control
Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Tools & Technology
This list below describes the machines, equipment, tools, software, and information technology that workers in this occupation will use.
Tools
- Digital audio recorders
- Digital cameras
- Digital duplicating machines
- Document scanners
- Document shredders
- Electric typewriters
- Handheld calculators
- Laptop computers
- Laser facsimile machines
- Microfiche machines
- Multi-line telephone systems
- Pagers
- Personal computers
- Photocopying equipment
- Switchboards
Technology
- A1-Law
- ADP Workforce Now
- AbacusNext HotDocs
- Accounting software
- Aderant CompuLaw
- Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
- Amortization calculation software
- Appointment scheduling software
- Billing software
- Case management software
- Chrome River Expense
- Database software
- Desktop publishing software
- Dropbox
- Electronic adjudication management systems EAM
- Electronic diary software
Duties
Duties are job behaviors describing activities that occur on multiple jobs. The generalized and detailed work activities described in the list below apply to this occupation.
- arrange library materials
- distribute correspondence or mail
- maintain travel expense accounts
- write legal documents
- compose draft legal pleadings
- schedule meetings or appointments
- arrange teleconference calls
- develop travel itinerary
- make travel reservations
- schedule or contract meeting facilities
- understand legal terminology
- locate persons ( skip tracing )
- use oral or written communication techniques
- use shorthand writing procedures
- use library or online Internet research techniques
- use telephone communication techniques
- use accounting terminology
- compile information for court cases
- evaluate importance of incoming telephone calls
- compile data for financial reports
- compile itinerary of planned meetings or activities
- reconcile or balance financial records
- verify investigative information
- identify laws or court decisions relevant to pending cases
- write business correspondence
- ensure correct grammar, punctuation, or spelling
- transcribe spoken or written information
- take dictation
- take messages
- enter time sheet information
- maintain telephone logs
- type document from machine transcription
- prepare corporate minute books
- take meeting notes
- maintain records, reports, or files
- fill out business or government forms
- edit written material
- prepare contract documents
- route multi-line telephone calls
- type letters or correspondence
- fill out purchase requisitions
- file documents in court
- maintain administrative services procedures manual
- maintain appointment calendar
- maintain inventory of office forms
- maintain legal forms
- organize legal information or records
- prepare financial reports
- prepare tax reports
- process invoices
- assist with legal research
- obtain general information in legal office setting
- obtain information from individuals
- use computers to enter, access or retrieve data
- modify work procedures or processes to meet deadlines
- plan meetings or conferences
Tasks
The list below outlines specific tasks that a worker in this occupation is called upon to do regularly.
- Prepare, proofread, or process legal documents, such as summonses, subpoenas, complaints, appeals, motions, or pretrial agreements.
- Mail, fax, or arrange for delivery of legal correspondence to clients, witnesses, and court officials.
- Receive and place telephone calls.
- Schedule and make appointments.
- Organize and maintain law libraries, documents, and case files.
- Make photocopies of correspondence, documents, and other printed matter.
- Assist attorneys in collecting information such as employment, medical, and other records.
- Prepare and distribute invoices to bill clients or pay account expenses.
- Draft and type office memos.
- Complete various forms, such as accident reports, trial and courtroom requests, and applications for clients.
- Submit articles and information from searches to attorneys for review and approval for use.
- Make travel arrangements for attorneys.
- Review legal publications and perform database searches to identify laws and court decisions relevant to pending cases.
- Attend legal meetings, such as client interviews, hearings, or depositions, and take notes.
Learning Resources
More information on this occupation may be found in the links provided below.
Legal Specialists and Court Reporters
Visit this link for information on this career in the military.
Learn MoreSecretaries and administrative assistants
Visit this link for additional information on this career from the Occupational Outlook Handbook; a publication produced and maintained by the United States Department of Labor.
Learn More