How to Become a Legal Secretary in 2025

Updated October 29, 2025

Legal secretaries keep law offices running smoothly. They manage communication, draft documents, schedule hearings, and handle the organizational details that allow attorneys to focus on their cases.

If you’re organized, detail-oriented, and comfortable with technology, becoming a legal secretary is a smart and accessible entry point into the legal profession.

Legal Secretary Salary Snapshot

U.S.
U.S. Median Pay $54,140 $26.03 per hour
Job Outlook -5.8% -9,000 jobs (2024–2034)
19,600 openings/yr
Data Year: 2024 Source: BLS OEWS

Legal secretaries perform specialized administrative work that supports attorneys, paralegals, and court staff.

Common responsibilities include:

  • Preparing and proofreading legal documents and correspondence
  • Managing attorney calendars, client meetings, and court schedules
  • Filing documents electronically through court eFiling systems
  • Maintaining case files and databases
  • Communicating with clients, witnesses, and court clerks
  • Handling billing, transcription, and recordkeeping

This role blends traditional office administration with specialized legal procedures, requiring precision, confidentiality, and excellent communication.

Must-Have Tools & Software

Legal secretaries rely heavily on productivity and case management software. Proficiency in these tools helps ensure efficiency and accuracy:

Category Common Tools
Word Processing & Docs Microsoft Word, Google Docs, Adobe Acrobat
Case Management Clio, MyCase, PracticePanther
Calendaring & Scheduling Outlook, Google Calendar, court docket tools
Document Filing State eFiling portals, PDF form-fillers, DocuSign
Transcription & Dictation Otter.ai, Philips SpeechLive, Dragon Legal
Billing & Time Tracking QuickBooks, Tabs3, TimeSolv

Understanding legal document formatting (motions, subpoenas, affidavits, contracts) is critical, accuracy and consistency directly affect case outcomes.

Training and Certificates

While formal education is not always required, completing a legal secretary or legal office administration program makes candidates far more competitive.

1. Certificate or Diploma Programs

  • Duration: 6–12 months
  • Focus: Legal terminology, document preparation, keyboarding, filing systems
  • Cost: $2,000–$7,000
  • Outcome: Ready for entry-level employment

2. Associate Degree in Legal Studies or Business Law

  • Duration: 2 years
  • Adds courses in communication, management, and computer applications
  • Ideal for those planning to transition into paralegal or management roles later

3. Professional Certification (Optional)

  • NALS – Accredited Legal Professional (ALP)
  • Legal Secretaries International – Certified Legal Secretary Specialist (CLSS)
    These credentials can boost advancement and salary potential.

Explore Legal Studies Programs
Compare Business Law Certificates

The legal secretary role often serves as a launching pad for more advanced legal careers. With additional training or experience, many professionals move into:

  • Paralegal or Legal Assistant roles (handling research and drafting)
  • Office Manager or Legal Operations roles (supervising staff and budgets)
  • Specialized positions in corporate compliance, real estate, or litigation support

Advancement Timeline Example

Role Typical Experience Median Pay Range
Legal Secretary 0–3 years $40,000–$55,000
Paralegal 3–5 years $55,000–$70,000
Legal Office Manager 5–10 years $65,000–$85,000+

legal secretary Salary and Job Outlook

Based on BLS occupation: Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants (43-6012)
Data Year: 2024 • U.S.

Median Pay (2024) $54,140 $26.03 per hour
Job Outlook (2024–2034) -5.8% -9,000 jobs (2024–2034) • 19,600 annual openings

Mean Pay (2024)

$60,320 per year $29.00 per hour

Wage Percentiles

10th Percentile $35,530

$17.08 per hour

25th Percentile $42,720

$20.54 per hour

75th Percentile $72,090

$34.66 per hour

90th Percentile $87,660

$42.15 per hour

Employment Outlook

2024 156,300
2034 147,300

Employment: 156,300 → 147,300 jobs by 2034 (-5.8%)

19,600 projected openings each year

Additional Details

Share of U.S. Employment
0.1%
Employment per 1,000 Jobs
1.00
Employment RSE
3.0%
Projected Annual Openings
19,600

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024. www.bls.gov/oes

Building expertise with case management software, billing systems, and eFiling procedures is the fastest route to promotion.

For comparison, see Paralegal vs. Legal Assistant.

FAQs

Do you need a degree to become a legal secretary?
No. Many start with certificates or on-the-job training. However, formal education can open more doors.

Is this the same as a legal assistant?
Not exactly. Legal assistants often perform more substantive casework, while legal secretaries focus on administrative and clerical support.

Can legal secretaries work remotely?
Yes. Many firms now offer hybrid or remote roles for document management and billing support.

What industries hire legal secretaries?
Law firms, insurance companies, real estate offices, and government legal departments.

Next Steps

If you’re ready to begin a stable, detail-focused career in the legal field, a legal secretary training program can prepare you in under a year.

Compare accredited programs below and take the first step toward your new career.

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