What Does a Legal Secretary Do?
A legal secretary provides high-level administrative and document support to attorneys and legal teams, helping ensure that legal documents are professionally formatted, accurately filed, and delivered on time. Unlike general office secretaries, legal secretaries are trained in legal terminology, procedures, and formatting, enabling them to prepare pleadings, contracts, and correspondence that meet court and regulatory standards. They play a critical role in the day-to-day efficiency of law firms by organizing case files, scheduling meetings, and assisting with document workflows.
Legal secretaries work in litigation, transactional, corporate, or boutique law practices, and must be proficient in typing, transcription, and court filing procedures. Their tasks often include preparing subpoenas, formatting agreements, calendaring deadlines, and communicating with clients, courts, and vendors. Because of their close work with confidential legal matters, legal secretaries are expected to maintain a high level of discretion and professionalism at all times.
Looking to Hire a Legal Secretary?
Speak with one of our recruiting experts today.
Legal Secretary Core Responsibilities
- Draft and format legal documents, correspondence, and contracts
- File legal documents electronically and in person with courts and agencies
- Maintain and organize physical and digital case files
- Manage attorneys’ calendars, including hearings, depositions, and deadlines
- Transcribe dictation and edit legal documents for grammar and formatting
- Coordinate communication with clients, court staff, and opposing counsel
- Track timekeeping and assist with billing entry or expense reports
- Prepare exhibits and assemble case packets or closing binders
Required Skills and Qualifications
Hard skills
- Proficiency in legal terminology, document formatting, and style guides
- Experience with eFiling systems and court procedures
- Advanced typing and transcription (60+ WPM preferred)
- Knowledge of legal software (e.g., Clio, iManage, ProLaw, Microsoft Word/Outlook)
Soft skills
- Strong attention to detail and proofreading ability
- Excellent organizational and time management skills
- Discretion and professionalism in handling sensitive case information
- Ability to prioritize multiple tasks and meet strict deadlines
Education
- High school diploma or equivalent required
- Certificate or diploma in legal secretarial studies preferred
Certifications
- Accredited Legal Secretary (ALS) or Certified Legal Professional (CLP) – preferred but not required
Preferred Qualifications
- 2+ years of experience in a law firm or legal department
- Experience supporting multiple attorneys or working in a litigation environment
- Familiarity with legal billing and time entry systems
National Average Salary
Legal secretary salaries vary by experience, industry, organization size, and geography. Click below to explore salaries by local market.
The average national salary for a Legal Secretary is:
$60,452
Sample Job Description Templates for Legal Secretaries
Litigation Secretary
Position Overview
We’re hiring a Litigation Secretary to support attorneys in all phases of civil and criminal litigation. This role requires strong calendaring skills, familiarity with court systems, and the ability to manage high volumes of legal documents and correspondence.
Responsibilities
- Draft and format pleadings, motions, and discovery responses
- File documents electronically in federal and state court systems
- Maintain attorney calendars and manage litigation deadlines
- Prepare exhibits, binders, and deposition materials
- Communicate with clients, court staff, and opposing counsel
Requirements
Hard skills
- Knowledge of eFiling systems (e.g., PACER, CM/ECF)
- Legal document formatting and litigation terminology
- Litigation calendaring and deadline tracking
Soft skills
- Attention to time-sensitive details
- Professional communication and organization
- Ability to manage multiple active cases
Education
- High school diploma required; legal secretarial certificate preferred
Preferred Qualifications
- 2+ years of litigation support experience in a law firm
Transactional Legal Secretary
Position Overview
We are seeking a Transactional Legal Secretary to support attorneys handling contracts, closings, and corporate transactions. This role is ideal for detail-focused professionals with experience formatting agreements and managing high-volume document workflows.
Responsibilities
- Prepare and proof contracts, agreements, and closing documents
- Organize and track signature pages, exhibits, and transaction checklists
- Maintain deal timelines and file management systems
- Coordinate virtual data rooms and closings
- Liaise with clients, banks, and opposing counsel
Requirements
Hard skills
- Document preparation and version control
- Proficiency with transactional templates and redlines
- Familiarity with electronic signature platforms (e.g., DocuSign)
Soft skills
- Accuracy and consistency in high-stakes documentation
- Time management and multitasking across deals
- Strong client service orientation
Education
- High school diploma or equivalent required
Preferred Qualifications
- 2+ years supporting transactional or corporate attorneys
Corporate Legal Secretary
Position Overview
We are hiring a Corporate Legal Secretary to support in-house counsel or law firm attorneys handling entity management, compliance, and board documentation. This role blends traditional legal secretarial duties with high-level corporate documentation.
Responsibilities
- Draft and format board minutes, resolutions, and governance documents
- Maintain legal entity records and corporate compliance calendars
- Support filings with state and federal agencies
- Manage attorney calendars and meeting preparation
- Organize and index contracts and legal correspondence
Requirements
Hard skills
- Knowledge of corporate governance and compliance language
- Document control and contract organization
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and legal software
Soft skills
- Discretion and professionalism with confidential business materials
- Clear communication with executives and legal teams
- Organizational precision and version control
Education
- High school diploma required; associate’s degree preferred
Preferred Qualifications
- 2+ years in a corporate legal support role
Family Law Legal Secretary
Position Overview
We’re looking for a Family Law Legal Secretary to support attorneys with matters including divorce, custody, support, and adoption. This role requires empathy, confidentiality, and excellent communication skills.
Responsibilities
- Draft family court pleadings, declarations, and discovery requests
- Manage attorney calendars and family law filing deadlines
- Organize client correspondence, case files, and financial records
- Communicate with clients and court personnel discreetly
- Assist with trial prep, mediation schedules, and document tracking
Requirements
Hard skills
- Familiarity with family court procedures and forms
- Legal file organization and client intake processing
- Calendar and deadline management
Soft skills
- Empathy and discretion in client interactions
- Ability to maintain professionalism under emotional pressure
- Time management across complex cases
Education
- High school diploma or equivalent required
Preferred Qualifications
- 1–3 years in family law legal support
Real Estate Legal Secretary
Position Overview
We are hiring a Real Estate Legal Secretary to support attorneys and clients in commercial and residential real estate transactions. This role involves document tracking, closing coordination, and document preparation.
Responsibilities
- Draft and format purchase agreements, leases, and title documents
- Track transaction timelines and maintain closing checklists
- Coordinate escrow instructions and title company communications
- Prepare closing binders and legal correspondence
- Manage deed recordings and property file organization
Requirements
Hard skills
- Real estate transaction document preparation
- Proficiency with closing coordination tools or checklists
- Knowledge of title, escrow, and local recording requirements
Soft skills
- Detail orientation in high-volume document workflows
- Strong client-facing communication
- Time-sensitive task prioritization
Education
- High school diploma required
Preferred Qualifications
- 2+ years of experience supporting real estate attorneys
Criminal Defense Legal Secretary
Position Overview
We are seeking a Criminal Defense Legal Secretary to assist attorneys with court filings, client communication, and trial support. This fast-paced role requires a high degree of discretion, accuracy, and multitasking ability.
Responsibilities
- Draft motions, subpoenas, and discovery responses
- Schedule hearings, meetings, and jail visits
- Maintain confidential client files and court communications
- Coordinate with investigators and expert witnesses
- Support trial preparation and exhibit organization
Requirements
Hard skills
- Familiarity with criminal court systems and filing requirements
- Experience with confidential records and timelines
- Transcription and typing of dictated legal documents
Soft skills
- Professionalism under pressure
- Strong communication with courts, clients, and staff
- Adaptability to urgent and evolving case needs
Education
- High school diploma required
Preferred Qualifications
- 2+ years in criminal defense or legal secretary roles
Estate Planning Legal Secretary
Position Overview
We are hiring an Estate Planning Legal Secretary to assist attorneys with drafting and organizing wills, trusts, and probate documents. This role is ideal for detail-oriented professionals who prioritize discretion and clarity in documentation.
Responsibilities
- Draft and proof wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and probate filings
- Organize estate planning documents and client information
- Schedule signing appointments and notarizations
- File probate documents with courts and manage related deadlines
- Communicate with clients and beneficiaries discreetly and professionally
Requirements
Hard skills
- Estate planning and probate terminology
- Document formatting and court form preparation
- File organization and client records tracking
Soft skills
- Empathy and sensitivity in client-facing communication
- Detailed focus on legal accuracy
- Time management and task coordination
Education
- High school diploma or equivalent required
Preferred Qualifications
- 2+ years supporting estate planning or probate attorneys