Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants

43-6012.00 Zone 3 — Medium Preparation Needed

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.

Also known as: Accredited Legal Secretary, Certified Legal Secretary Specialist, Confidential Secretary, Law Firm Administrator, Law Office Assistant, Law Secretary, Legal Administrative Assistant (Legal Admin Assistant), Legal Administrator (Legal Admin), ...

Annual Salary

$54,140

Median annual wage (May 2024)

$42,720 25th – 75th percentile $72,090
10th percentile $35,530
90th percentile $87,660
U.S. Employment: 154,540

Job Outlook

-5.8%

Projected growth, 2024–2034 (Declining)

Annual Job Openings 19,600 per year (avg. 2024–2034)
Typical education: High school diploma or equivalent
On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training

What You'd Do

  • Mail, fax, or arrange for delivery of legal correspondence to clients, witnesses, and court officials.
  • Receive and place telephone calls.
  • Schedule and make appointments.
  • Make photocopies of correspondence, documents, and other printed matter.
  • Organize and maintain law libraries, documents, and case files.
  • Assist attorneys in collecting information such as employment, medical, and other records.
  • Draft and type office memos.
  • Complete various forms, such as accident reports, trial and courtroom requests, and applications for clients.
  • Prepare and distribute invoices to bill clients or pay account expenses.
  • Prepare, proofread, or process legal documents, such as summonses, subpoenas, complaints, appeals, motions, or pretrial agreements.

Top Skills

Reading Comprehension 4.0
Active Listening 4.0
Writing 3.9
Speaking 3.8
Time Management 3.3
Coordination 3.0
Critical Thinking 3.0
Service Orientation 3.0

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Knowledge Areas

Administrative 4.5
English Language 4.4
Law and Government 4.2
Customer and Personal Service 3.9
Computers and Electronics 3.9
Administration and Management 3.2
Public Safety and Security 3.1
Communications and Media 2.8

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation by education level

Associate's
48.1%
High School
17.3%
Certificate
14.3%
Some College
13.2%
Bachelor's
7%

Technology & Tools

Software and tools commonly used in this role

In-Demand Technologies

Adobe Acrobat Intuit QuickBooks Microsoft Access Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Visio Microsoft Word

Other Tools

A1-Law AbacusNext HotDocs Accounting software Aderant CompuLaw ADP Workforce Now 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 +6 more

Work Styles

Personality traits and work styles important for this career

2.8
Attention to Detail
2.7
Dependability
2.4
Integrity
1.9
Cooperation
1.9
Cautiousness
1.6
Self-Control
1.5
Stress Tolerance

Key Abilities

Cognitive, physical, and sensory abilities important for this role

Oral Comprehension 4.0
Written Comprehension 4.0
Near Vision 4.0
Oral Expression 3.9
Written Expression 3.9
Speech Clarity 3.8
Speech Recognition 3.8
Selective Attention 3.1

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Work Activities

General types of job behaviors occurring on this job

Performing Administrative Activities 4.5
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates 4.4
Working with Computers 4.3
Processing Information 4.3
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work 4.2
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships 4.1
Documenting/Recording Information 4.0
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings 3.9

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Work Environment

Physical and social factors that influence the nature of work

E-Mail
5.0
Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
4.4
Contact With Others
4.4
Telephone Conversations
4.3
Importance of Repeating Same Tasks
4.2
Spend Time Sitting
4.1
Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
4.1
Time Pressure
4.0
Written Letters and Memos
3.9
Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals
3.8
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
3.8
Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
3.7

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$49K
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Salary data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Outlook data: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034.

This page includes information from the O*NET 30.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.