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Occupation Description

Perform secretarial duties utilizing 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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State and National Wages

Wage Table

Hourly Wage Chart

Yearly Wage Chart

Location	Pay Period	2009
		10%	25%	Median	75%	90%
United States	Hourly	$12.66	$15.35	$19.75	$25.16	$30.76
	Yearly	$26,300	$31,900	$41,100	$52,300	$64,000
New York	Hourly	$14.15	$17.05	$21.41	$26.71	$31.01
	Yearly	$29,400	$35,500	$44,500	$55,600	$64,500

Wage Table

Hourly Wage Chart

Yearly Wage Chart

• High is the wage at which 90% of workers earn less and 10% earn more.
• Middle is the wage at which 50% of workers earn less and 50% earn more.
• Low is the wage at which 10% of workers earn less and 90% earn more.

Wage Table

Hourly Wage Chart

Yearly Wage Chart

• High is the wage at which 90% of workers earn less and 10% earn more.
• Middle is the wage at which 50% of workers earn less and 50% earn more.
• Low is the wage at which 10% of workers earn less and 90% earn more.

Occupation Wages FAQs

Median Wage by Occupation Across States
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National Data Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics Survey
State Data Source: New York Wage Information

State and National Trends

Note: The data for the State Employment Trends and the National Employment Trends are not directly comparable. The projections period for state data is 2006-2016, while the projections period for national data is 2008-2018.

Occupation Trends FAQs

Employment Trends by Occupation Across States
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National Data Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Office of Occupational Statistics and Employment Projections
State Data Source: New York State Department of Labor

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

The most important knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) are listed for Legal Secretaries.

Knowledge:

• Clerical - Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and 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.
• Economics and Accounting - Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking and the analysis and reporting of financial data.

Skills:

• Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
• 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.
• Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.
• Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
• Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
• Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Abilities:

• Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
• Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
• Speech Recognition - The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
• Information Ordering - The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
• Speech Clarity - The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
• Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

Source: Occupational Information Network: Legal Secretaries.

Tasks and Activities

Occupation specific tasks and the most important generalized work activities are listed for Legal Secretaries.

Occupation Specific Tasks:

• Assist attorneys in collecting information such as employment, medical, and other records.
• Attend legal meetings, such as client interviews, hearings, or depositions, and take notes.
• Complete various forms, such as accident reports, trial and courtroom requests, and applications for clients.
• Draft and type office memos.
• Mail, fax, or arrange for delivery of legal correspondence to clients, witnesses, and court officials.
• Make photocopies of correspondence, documents, and other printed matter.
• Organize and maintain law libraries, documents, and case files.
• Prepare and process legal documents and papers, such as summonses, subpoenas, complaints, appeals, motions, and pretrial agreements.
• Receive and place telephone calls.
• Review legal publications and perform database searches to identify laws and court decisions relevant to pending cases.
• Schedule and make appointments.
• Submit articles and information from searches to attorneys for review and approval for use.

Generalized Work Activities:

• Interacting With Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Performing Administrative Activities - Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
• Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Communicating with Persons Outside Organization - Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Detailed Work Activities:

• arrange library materials
• arrange teleconference calls
• assist with legal research
• compile data for financial reports
• compile information for court cases
• compile itinerary of planned meetings or activities
• compose draft legal pleadings
• develop travel itinerary
• distribute correspondence or mail
• edit written material
• ensure correct grammar, punctuation, or spelling
• enter time sheet information
• evaluate importance of incoming telephone calls
• file documents in court
• fill out business or government forms
• fill out purchase requisitions
• identify laws or court decisions relevant to pending cases
• locate persons ( skip tracing )
• maintain administrative services procedures manual
• maintain appointment calendar
• maintain inventory of office forms
• maintain legal forms
• maintain records, reports, or files
• maintain telephone logs
• maintain travel expense accounts
• make travel reservations
• modify work procedures or processes to meet deadlines
• obtain general information in legal office setting
• obtain information from individuals
• organize legal information or records
• plan meetings or conferences
• prepare contract documents
• prepare corporate minute books
• prepare financial reports
• prepare tax reports
• process invoices
• reconcile or balance financial records
• route multi-line telephone calls
• schedule meetings or appointments
• schedule or contract meeting facilities
• take dictation
• take meeting notes
• take messages
• transcribe spoken or written information
• type document from machine transcription
• type letters or correspondence
• understand legal terminology
• use accounting terminology
• use computers to enter, access or retrieve data
• use library or online Internet research techniques
• use oral or written communication techniques
• use shorthand writing procedures
• use telephone communication techniques
• verify investigative information
• write business correspondence
• write legal documents

Source: Occupational Information Network: Legal Secretaries.

Tools and Technology

Legal Secretaries  View Detailed Report

Tools:

• Calculators or accessories - Calculators
• Digital cameras - Digital cameras
• Digital duplicators - Digital duplicating machines
• Digital voice recorders - Digital audio recorders
• Facsimile machines - Fax machines

Technology:

• Accounting software - Accounting software, Billing software, Intuit Quicken software, Sage Peachtree software
• Electronic mail software - Electronic mail software, IBM Lotus Notes, Microsoft Outlook
• Information retrieval or search software - Legal research software, LexisNexis software, Thomson West WestlawPRO
• Spreadsheet software - Microsoft Excel, Spreadsheet software
• Word processing software - Electronic diary software, Microsoft Word, Transcription software, Word processing software

Source: Occupational Information Network: Legal Secretaries.

Education and Training

Occupation: Legal Secretaries
Most Common Educational/Training Level: Associate degree
Related Instructional Programs: Legal Administrative Assistant/Secretary

WIA Eligible Training Provider List: http://www.labor.state.ny.us/ETP/default.asp

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Office of Occupational Statistics and Employment Projections (Education/Training Level, Educational Attainment); National Center for Education Statistics (Typical Instructional Programs)

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