What Does a Legal Secretary Do?
Legal secretaries provide administrative support to attorneys and legal teams by managing correspondence, scheduling, and document preparation. They serve as the organizational backbone of law offices, ensuring that deadlines are met and workflows run smoothly. Proficiency with legal terminology and office technology is essential for this role.
Other Job Titles for This Work
Workers in this occupation report titles such as Confidential Secretary, Legal Administrative Assistant (Legal Admin Assistant), Legal Administrator (Legal Admin), Legal Coordinator, Legal Management Assistant, Legal Office Support Assistant, Legal Practice Assistant, Litigation Secretary.
Legal Secretary Duties and Responsibilities
The primary responsibilities of a legal secretary include:
- Prepare and format legal correspondence, memos, and court documents with precision.
- Manage attorney calendars, scheduling client meetings, hearings, and depositions.
- File legal documents with courts electronically and in person, adhering to strict deadlines.
- Answer phones, screen calls, and direct inquiries to appropriate staff members.
- Maintain and organize physical and digital filing systems for case records.
- Proofread legal documents for grammatical errors, formatting issues, and factual accuracy.
- Coordinate travel arrangements and meeting logistics for attorneys and legal staff.
- Process incoming and outgoing mail, including certified and time-sensitive legal correspondence.
- Track billable hours and assist with client invoicing and expense reports.
- Liaise with clients, court clerks, and opposing counsel regarding scheduling and document exchanges.
Required Skills and Qualifications
To succeed as a legal secretary, you will need the following skills and qualifications:
- Legal terminology and document formatting
- Advanced typing speed and accuracy
- Calendar and schedule management
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite
- Strong organizational abilities
- Professional telephone etiquette
- Confidentiality and discretion
- Multitasking under pressure
Education and Training
A high school diploma is the minimum requirement, though most employers prefer candidates with an associate degree or postsecondary certificate in legal secretarial studies. Coursework in legal terminology, office administration, and business communication provides a solid foundation. Some community colleges and vocational schools offer specialized legal secretary programs that cover court procedures and document preparation. Professional certifications such as the Certified Legal Secretary Specialist (CLSS) designation can enhance career advancement opportunities.
Salary and Job Outlook
Typical pay: $44,450 - $71,970 per year, with a median of $55,570.
The range covers the middle half of earners nationwide. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants.
Demand for legal secretaries remains steady, though the role is evolving as law firms adopt more technology-driven workflows. Candidates who can adapt to legal practice management software, e-filing systems, and virtual meeting platforms will be most competitive. While some routine tasks are being automated, the need for skilled professionals who understand legal procedures and can manage complex scheduling continues to sustain employment in this field.
Legal Secretary Pay Range
| Earners | Annual pay |
|---|---|
| Bottom 10% earn less than | $36,500 |
| Bottom 25% earn less than | $44,450 |
| Median (half earn more, half less) | $55,570 |
| Top 25% earn more than | $71,970 |
| Top 10% earn more than | $91,730 |
Highest-Paying States for Legal Secretarys
The states with the highest median pay for this occupation are District of Columbia ($99,280), New York ($72,230), Connecticut ($66,220), Delaware ($66,130), Minnesota ($63,180). Pay is lowest in Kentucky ($39,300), Missouri ($38,560), Kansas ($36,620).
Median pay in all 50 states with BLS data
| State | Median annual pay |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $45,950 |
| Alaska | $61,280 |
| Arizona | $55,120 |
| Arkansas | $41,410 |
| California | $62,860 |
| Colorado | $59,490 |
| Connecticut | $66,220 |
| Delaware | $66,130 |
| District of Columbia | $99,280 |
| Florida | $48,510 |
| Georgia | $48,460 |
| Hawaii | $49,460 |
| Idaho | $41,880 |
| Illinois | $52,790 |
| Indiana | $47,740 |
| Iowa | $46,590 |
| Kansas | $36,620 |
| Kentucky | $39,300 |
| Louisiana | $48,050 |
| Maine | $48,040 |
| Maryland | $61,440 |
| Massachusetts | $62,120 |
| Michigan | $56,870 |
| Minnesota | $63,180 |
| Mississippi | $45,140 |
| Missouri | $38,560 |
| Nebraska | $45,800 |
| Nevada | $56,470 |
| New Hampshire | $51,830 |
| New Jersey | $63,080 |
| New Mexico | $57,800 |
| New York | $72,230 |
| North Carolina | $43,720 |
| North Dakota | $53,540 |
| Ohio | $51,080 |
| Oklahoma | $45,950 |
| Oregon | $59,610 |
| Pennsylvania | $51,430 |
| Rhode Island | $63,020 |
| South Carolina | $52,840 |
| South Dakota | $47,790 |
| Tennessee | $45,340 |
| Texas | $45,940 |
| Utah | $52,860 |
| Vermont | $49,090 |
| Virginia | $55,320 |
| Washington | $58,360 |
| West Virginia | $46,960 |
| Wisconsin | $55,410 |
| Wyoming | $46,960 |
What the Work Is Like
O*NET surveys people who work as legal secretaries and administrative assistants about their daily conditions. Of those surveyed:
- 100% use email every day
- 83% spend more than half the workday sitting
- 81% say being exact and accurate is very or extremely important
- 67% are on the phone every day
- 63% work indoors in a climate-controlled space every day
- 47% deal with rude or angry people at least once a week
- 38% use their hands on tools, objects or controls for more than half the day
Education Workers Say the Job Needs
| Education level | Share of workers |
|---|---|
| Associate's degree | 48% |
| High school diploma or GED | 17% |
| Post-secondary certificate | 14% |
| Some college | 13% |
Tools and Software Legal Secretarys Use
Tools and equipment
Software
Is This Job a Good Fit for You?
People who do well in this job tend to enjoy organized work with data, records and clear procedures as well as leading, persuading and making business decisions.
Skills O*NET rates most important: Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Writing, Speaking, Time Management, Critical Thinking.
Knowledge areas used most: Administrative, English Language, Law and Government, Customer and Personal Service, Computers and Electronics.
Preparation: O*NET places this occupation in Job Zone 3 of 5, which means medium preparation.
Related Careers
These jobs use similar skills, according to O*NET's related-occupation data:
Applying for a Legal Secretary Job
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Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
- O*NET 30.1 Database, occupation 43-6012.00 (Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants). View on O*NET OnLine.
This page includes information from the O*NET 30.1 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. The Job Explorer has modified some of the information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed or tested these changes.