CFChooseField
Office and Administration

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.

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants
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Median pay

$54,140
Median annual pay for Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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10-year growth

-5.8%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Annual openings

19,600
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Employment

156,300
Estimated U.S. employment for Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Jobs added or lost

-9,000
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Entry preparation

High school diploma or equivalent
Typical additional preparation: Moderate-term on-the-job training.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
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O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

  1. 1Active Listening
  2. 2Reading Comprehension
  3. 3Writing
  4. 4Speaking
  5. 5Critical Thinking
  6. 6Monitoring

Knowledge areas

  1. 1Administrative
  2. 2English Language
  3. 3Law and Government
  4. 4Customer and Personal Service
  5. 5Computers and Electronics
  6. 6Administration and Management

Abilities

  1. 1Near Vision
  2. 2Oral Comprehension
  3. 3Written Comprehension
  4. 4Oral Expression
  5. 5Written Expression
  6. 6Speech Clarity

Career interests

  1. 1Conventional
  2. 2Enterprising
  3. 3Social
  4. 4Investigative
  5. 5Artistic
  6. 6Realistic

Work styles

  1. 1Attention to Detail
  2. 2Dependability
  3. 3Integrity
  4. 4Cooperation
  5. 5Cautiousness
  6. 6Self-Control

Work activities

  1. 1Performing Administrative Activities
  2. 2Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
  3. 3Working with Computers
  4. 4Processing Information
  5. 5Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
  6. 6Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships

Work context

  1. 1E-Mail
  2. 2Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
  3. 3Contact With Others
  4. 4Telephone Conversations
  5. 5Importance of Repeating Same Tasks
  6. 6Spend Time Sitting

Representative tasks

  • Organize and maintain law libraries, documents, and case files.
  • Mail, fax, or arrange for delivery of legal correspondence to clients, witnesses, and court officials.
  • 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.
  • Make photocopies of correspondence, documents, and other printed matter.
  • Assist attorneys in collecting information such as employment, medical, and other records.
  • Complete various forms, such as accident reports, trial and courtroom requests, and applications for clients.
  • Receive and place telephone calls.

Software and tools

Microsoft Excel · in demandMicrosoft Office software · in demandMicrosoft Outlook · in demandMicrosoft PowerPoint · in demandMicrosoft Word · in demandIntuit QuickBooks · hot technologyAdobe Acrobat · hot technologyMicrosoft Visio · hot technologyMicrosoft Access · hot technologyA1-LawMicrosoft SharePoint ServerPublic access to electronic court records PACER

Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.

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