So You Want to Be a Part Time Legal Secretary

Article by Matt Murren







One of the most challenging secretarial jobs available today is just waiting for you!  You can become a part time legal secretary by having strong administrative skills in legal terminology, procedures and documentation processing.  You will need to prepare and organize legal documents for court proceedings and to write, edit and understand legal correspondence. You will need to have knowledge and expertise in summonses, complaints, motions, pretrial agreements and subpoenas.  And, you may be asked to help in researching critical legal information. 

As a legal secretary, you will be performing a variety of tasks. You likely will be responsible for mailing, faxing and delivering legal correspondence to clients, witnesses and court officials. You probably will be asked to answer phone calls in a professional manner and to make phone calls to clients and others.  You will be scheduling appointments and making copies of legal documents and other printed information.  Your organizational skills will have to be top notch so that you can maintain law libraries and files in a satisfactory manner.  You probably will be asked to attend meetings and/or interviews and take notes as appropriate.  As a legal secretary, you might be asked to draft and type office memos so your computer and communication skills must be excellent.  And, you will be expected to be professional at all times so that you are a valued and respected member of the legal staff.   

Being a legal secretary requires you to have a good understanding of legal as well as administrative processes.  You will need excellent clerical skills in word processing, forms design, records management and general office procedures.  You also will need to be aware of laws, court proceedings, federal and state regulations, legal codes and so on.  Your written communication skills must include a sound understanding of the English language including rules of composition and grammar.  You will need to present yourself in a positive manner and to provide excellent customer service to clients and professional associates.   A legal secretary career can be exciting and rewarding.  Even working as a  part time legal secretary gives you the unique opportunity to enhance and strengthen your administrative skills.




About the Author

Matt D Murren owns and operates http://www.legal–secretary.com Part Time Legal Secretary

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Become a Legal Secretary

Article by Matt Murren







Most legal offices today employ someone to perform the daily clerical functions that are necessary for efficient business processes.  A legal secretary is usually the person hired for this function and is sometimes known as an administrative or executive assistant.  This person not only performs normal administrative duties such as typing, phone answering, filing, and dictation but also is skilled in other things relating to the legal profession.  Most legal offices depend on this person to gather and organize all of the preliminary paperwork that is required for most legal proceedings.  It would be difficult to efficiently run a legal business without the help of a secretary well-versed in legal language and processes.

A secretary in a law firm performs a variety of specialized functions such as preparing and typing pleadings, briefs, discoveries, motions and subpoenas.  He or she is responsible for tracking legal filing deadlines and for creating all of the graphs and reports related to the tracking.  The secretary will need to be highly skilled in creating spread sheets and be able to understand how to index and update pleadings and discoveries.  The secretary must have excellent written and verbal communication skills so that he or she can easily communicate with attorneys, vendors and other professionals.  Dispositions will need to be scheduled, as will hearings, closings and other legal meetings. 

A legal secretary must have certain skills in order to meet the qualifications necessary for the position.  He or she must be at least familiar with legal terminology as well as state and federal court filing rules.  Of course, as a secretary the person will be expected to have outstanding typing and clerical skills to go along with his or her legal abilities.   Being dependable enough to meet deadlines is a critical skill that must be met by anyone performing administrative work in a law office.   Missing a deadline could put the law firm in a negative position, resulting in a default judgment.  In today’s high technology environment, a secretary in a law firm must be adept at computer processes and be able to use the computer for word processing, spread sheets, research and billing. 




About the Author

Matt D Murren owns and operates http://www.legal–secretary.com Legal Secretary

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The Role of the Legal Secretary

Article by Elizabeth Martinez







Think legal assistants are limited in their job choices? Think again. Legal secretaries are filling positions far away from law firms. Many are finding lucrative careers working corporations, hospitals, government agencies, schools and even real estate companies.

The primary difference between an administrative assistant and a legal assistant comes down to a thorough understanding of legal procedures. They know how to properly prepare legal notices, court documents and contracts. They’re competent to handle even the smallest legal tasks, including formatting legal documents, documentation efforts and confidentiality issues. While a legal secretary also conducts traditional administrative tasks, such as typing and filing, those in the legal field must remain focused and detailed oriented. He or she is often entrusted with a client’s deepest secrets and most private information. It’s no surprise then that experienced legal secretaries can do quite well from a financial standpoint. They must be detail oriented, flexible, creative and a strong penchant for working well under pressure.

Many, regardless of which sector they ultimately choose, might discover they spend a lot of time in a courtroom, says LawCrossing.com founder, A. Harrison Barnes. He continues, “The level of responsibility these professionals have goes far beyond what the traditional role of secretary once was”. Legal secretaries ensure resources are available for the lawyers in their firms, records are found and court cases are pulled from time to time. Further, they follow state and federal laws to ensure their employer is current with contemporary changes in the law.

Legal secretaries will also meet with clients, either with the attorney or alone, depending on the dynamics. Often, bankruptcy lawyers hire legal assistants to handle all aspects of gathering the necessary paperwork and client meetings. It’s not until the client is due to appear in court that an introduction is made. This only reiterates the importance of the role.

The educational requirements vary from state to state and from one law firm to another. Experience is often more of a consideration than education and those who have proven track records are sometimes preferable over those just entering the job market, regardless of their educational levels. A. Harrison Barnes, who is also an attorney, agrees that many law firms simply don’t have the time or resources to spend any considerable amount of time in training new employees.

“This”, says Barnes, “is exactly why we developed LawCrossing.com”. The purpose was to provide the brightest talent complete access to those law firms and other industries that need someone to step in and run with it. Barnes has more than met the challenge and as a result, has grown his network to include sites such as EmploymentCrossing.com, Hound.com and LegalAuthority.com. Each site has its own unique characteristics and each brings certain elements to both employers and job seekers. Think you have what it takes to become a sought after legal secretary? Visit LawCrossing.com today for the latest in position announcements and a ton of great resources, including a resume service that works with you to make your resume shine.



About the Author

Matinez Betheliza – Ph.D. – Organizational Psychology. Provides you with a deep level of insight into your career direction and career development.

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Legalities: Business on the right side of the law!

Article by Akhil Shahani

Starting a small business is no child play! The rules and regulations governing enterprises might seem quite complex and more than anything…endless! While it might be a bit frustrating, it is very important to get the rules right before contemplating a new business. Starting with naming the business, right until expansion plans and beyond, the legalities must be taken care of to avoid greater trouble later.

Queries regarding the mandatory procedures and accompanying paperwork tops any amateur entrepreneur’s FAQ list. Some of the most basic requirements are as follows:

Business license: In the United States, a business license is a must in order to conduct a legal business. The regulatory authorities differ depending upon the location of the business. If you plan on operating within a city, then such a license can be applied for with the relevant authorities of that city only. Other countries will also have their own specific set of requirements.

Naming the business: So, you have a very catchy name for your business, eh? Better check if it is available, before you get sued for trademark violation.
* Register the name as a fictitious one if you plan on conducting the business in any name other than your own.
* In the U.S., sole proprietorships and partnerships will have to register their trade name with the secretary of the state.
* Likewise, corporations will have to register with the Department of Financial Institutions of that particular state.
* Register the trade name as a trademark if you intend to sell products under the same name.

Form of ownership: Business organizations could be of different types, such as sole proprietorships, partnerships, incorporated businesses, so on and so forth. Tax and liability issues are different for each and hence you may need to consult a legal expert for help. Some of the relevant documents that come into the picture are listed.

* Partnerships: Although not a compulsion, partnerships could file the articles of partnership with the state government. Buy and sell agreements between the buyers and sellers ought to be maintained for convenience.
* Limited Liability Corp. (LLC): Articles of organization, operating agreements, buy and sell agreements are some of commonly used documents.
* Corporation: A pre-incorporation agreement must be put in order. Approval for incorporation must be sought from the government after filing the articles of incorporation with them and in response, the state government will issue a Charter for Corporation, stating all the powers of and laws to be followed by a corporation. Buy-sell agreements must be taken care of as well.
* Sole proprietorship: This is among the simpler forms of business organization and involves very little paperwork.

Location: One may need to take zone permits for locating a business in a particular area, especially if it involves manufacturing or selling. The zoning department must be contacted for the same. Ensure that your business also has the relevant environmental permits, which is currently an area of great concern.

Employees: While hiring people, strictly adhere to immigration and child labor laws. The employment eligibility of new employees will have to be verified in accordance with Federal Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 and the relevant document is the Employment Eligibility Verification Form I-9. Compensation offered must not be in violation of minimum wage laws. The U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division will give you all the relevant information on labor laws. An unemployment insurance tax will have to be paid to the state if you employ personnel for 5 months or more, or if you have paid out gross wages of ,500 or more in a year’s time. The rates of taxation might vary from state to state.

Intellectual Property Rights: IPR, as it is known, should be used to protect your ideas from being misused or appropriated by others. You can either register the intellectual property as a trademark, or protect it under the Copyright and Patent Act.

Taxation: Legalities surrounding taxation must also be strictly adhered to. From the employee’s compensation, you will have to deduct taxes payable to the federal and state governments apart from the deduction for employee insurance. In addition, businesses have to pay taxes on their own income to the federal and state governments.

Health and Safety: Health and safety standards must be maintained at work in order to ensure the safety of employees. Most states have similar standards and for more information, contact the local OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) office. Every enterprise employing three or more people must provide for insurance against on­the­job accidents. More information can be obtained from your state government office.

Seller’s permit: A seller’s permit will be required if you plan a retail outlet.

Find all the legal forms and contracts that you may need on What is most confounding about the legalities of starting a business is perhaps the complex terminology used. could help you deal with the particularly tricky stuff!

Laws exist to make processes a whole lot smoother and are essential for any well functioning society. While the legalities involved in starting a business may seem onerous, once you deal with them, consider half your troubles gone!

About the Author

Hi, I’m Akhil Shahani, a serial entrepreneur who wants to help you succeed. If you like to work smart, check out http://www.SmartEntrepreneur.net. It’s full of articles and resources to help you start and grow your business successfully. Please visit us & download our special “Freebie of The Month” at

http://www.smartentrepreneur.net/freebie-of-the-month.html

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Legal Transcription: Jobs

Article by Ajay Prasad

Copyright (c) 2009 Ajay Prasad

In order to become a Legal Transcriptionist or work in a Legal Transcription Company, one needs to have some basic knowledge of legal terminologies and good typing speed. But sometimes it is difficult to find job even after brushing these skills. You may not be able to find a job in Legal Transcription as employers are looking for people who are ‘certified’, which means they have completed an accepted legal transcription course. This is a professional-level program leading to a Legal Transcriptionist Career Diploma. You can also enroll yourself in some legal transcription courses available online or at home or in a school. These courses include easy-to-understand lessons, supplements and special learning aids. The duration of these courses ranges from 8 to 12 weeks.

The course provided online can be done from home. This on-line distance learning program is self-paced. It is divided into various modules and is easy to learn. The information given in a module is first tested and the next module is presented only if one fully grasps the concept of the first one. The state-of-art home training program is divided into two modules and practice hours for dictation. The module deals with the law and how it works and an overview of the profession. It also teaches about the U.S.legal system, roles, responsibilities and issues related to the system.

Along with the above the course includes the basic rules of English grammar and typing rules. It also discusses the employment opportunities provides website for research purpose and for enhancing educational skills on-line. The study materials of the course consist of books, supplements, organizers, quick learning system and learning aids such as CD’s, video instruction.This material generally reaches the student 5-7 days of enrollment. All the exams conducted for such courses are open book. The exam may be taken online or through e-mails. Many transcriptionists further their careers into paralegal studies or even law. If one has a doubt, the instructor is just one call away.

The course will also include some knowledge about the criminal proceedings, life cycle of a crime, difference between criminal proceedings and civil proceeding and trial by jury process. In civil suits, it is important to be familiar with the terms associated with civil law suits. Other proceedings are also explained from filing a suit till its settlement. Special laws to be studied are personal injury, family law, administrative law and litigant, business organizations, wills and real estate, contracts, bankruptcy and patent & trademarks. The skills of a stenotype and the phonetic language of a court reporter are also a part of the course material. There are some software that one need to master and some others which are handy for Legal Transcription.They are Hotdocs, WordPerfect and MS Word. You may also need to upload/download protocol such as FTP. For the training you will need a computer with a modem or DSL and MS Word or WordPerfect (legal version) and a CD player. Dictionaries are always handy.

All this sounds easy, but it should be remembered that self study and self learning requires extra commitment and patience. One has to be self motivated and study on his own to train for a better career. Some courses offer legal secretarial work with the legal transcription study. In addition to the online and college courses, many employers allow individual to train while being on the job and also train the new recruits if they have to work in the field of Legal Transcription.

About the Author

Ajay Prasad is President and CEO of Global Marketing Resources, a company based in Orange County, California. GMRTranscription.com is a unit of of the company and has been providing accurate and affordable transcription services for over seven years. We have several attorneys on our registered client list for over years. You can check out GMRTranscription for http://gmrtranscription.com/legaltranscription.aspx here.

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Company Secretary Courses And Subjects

Article by Kiransripada







Company Secretary Courses

The Company Law Board initiated a course in the year 1960 which is a Diploma in Company Secretary ship by the Government. As a result, the Institute of Company Secretaries of India stretched in the year 1969. These come under the regulation of the Companies Act in 1956 of Section 25. As per the Act of 1980, this was converted into a constitutional organization.

The Course lineup the knowledge in the field of legal affairs and commercial economic filed with the contemporary practice.
The aim of this Course’s is to expand and control the business.


Foundation Course – 1st Stage: This is for the individual; he should pass the exam of Higher Secondary to meet up the eligibility criteria.
Intermediate Course – 2nd Stage: The Intermediate Course which the individual should pass the foundation phase.
Final Course – Last Stage/Final Course: The Final Course which the individual should clear all the two stages accurately to become a successful Company Secretary.

These are the all the 3 stages to be successfully completed

Eligibility Criteria:

Who and how an individual can pursue


One should have passed his/her Higher Secondary examination or Intermediate Examination in order to pursue the Company Secretary courses.

Those who are already a graduate and have cleared post graduation in Cost Accountancy or Chartered Accountancy has an advantage which is they can directly apply for the Intermediate stage of company secretary.

Training after Courses of Company Secretary:

After successfully clearing all the stages of the examinations; candidates have to go for a practical training for 16 months in order that the individual becomes the member of the Institute of the CSI and the person will be allocated a Professional Membership Number.

Extra Qualities:

The person must be devoted and he/she should accomplish the good writing and speaking English skills
He/she should also attain a moral character
He/she should be able to understand the strategies and policies of the company. In a straight way he/she should become diplomatic person and should also be intellectual, elegant, loyal and meticulous as well.
Subjects Covers:
Basic Economics
Business Communication
English
Financial Accounting
Company Law
Management Accounting
General and Commercial Law
Corporate Secretarial practice
Banking and Insurance
World Trade Organization
Corporate Restructuring
Human Resource Management and Industrial Relation
International Trade
Joint Ventures and Foreign Collaborations and many more
Read More @
http://www.altiusdirectory.com/Business/company-secretary.html


About the Author

Kiran Sripada
Web Analyst – SEO
BipSum Software Solutions (P) Ltd
Hyderabad
Andhrapradesh
India

Specific Skills Will Be Required For A Legal Secretary

Article by Matt Murren

The skills to become a legal secretary will require a high school diploma or a GED.  You will not be required to have a college degree, but your will need specific training and skills in business, and law related subjects.

If you are interested in becoming an accredited legal secretary, you can obtain a certificate through many community colleges, and specialty continuing education programs.   There are many schools that you can earn a specialized certificate for becoming a legal secretary.  The University of Phoenix, American Intercontinental University, Westwood, and ITT Technical Institute, and many of your local Universities and Community Colleges are just a few of the many schools you can attend.  Many schools will offer online courses if you are not close enough to attend their classes on campus.

Many legal firms will not require you to have a degree as a legal secretary, but they will want you to have some experience.  You can gain experience either in the work field starting as a receptionist, or by taking a legal training course.  From a class you will receive training on computer programs related to your specific field of study, learn the legal vocabulary that is needed to perform your duties as a legal secretary, and also learn the basic skills required to run an office smoothly and efficiently.

Becoming familiar with basic secretarial skills will also help you perform your duties as a legal secretary more efficiently.  You will spend most of your time typing legal documents, and letters, so good, fast and efficient computer and keyboarding skills are a must.  A legal secretary is a specialized secretary.  You will need to know many specifics in the law profession.  While many law offices will not require their legal secretaries to have a degree, knowing some of the legal lingo will help you be prepared for your potential interviews.  Your duties as a legal secretary will require you to have basic receptionists skills, arrange meetings between lawyers and clients, book appointments, file legal documents, dictate letters, maintain schedules, answer phones, and interact with other office staff and lawyers on a daily basis, to name a few.  Communication and people skills will also be extremely important in this type of position.  Taking a training course will help you be confident and qualified to perform all of the duties that will be required of you as a legal secretary.

Positions for qualified legal secretaries are abundant.  Legal secretaries can help the over all efficiency of the lawyers and their firm.  The salaries for dependable, certified, experienced legal secretaries are also very competitive, and are based on your experience, and specific set of skills.

About the Author

Matt D Murren owns and operates http://www.legal–secretary.com Legal Secretary

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Improving Job Scopes for Legal Secretaries

Article by leglsecretaryr







As it is observed in this year’s market trends that law firms have lifted their recruitment freezes and new positions are coming through more frequently. There are many legal secretary vacancies for candidates with intermediate experience. The main areas which have legal secretary recruitment scope are litigation, property, work-cover and commercial. The market seems to be acting flexible by offering more contract or temporary positions. It is estimated that this scenario will change with the increasing faith in the market and there will be more permanent position on offer.

Legal Secretary Career – Market Overview

On an average, a legal secretary with 5-8 years of experience would earn between K – 35K. Last year majority of salaries remained stagnant however now they are starting to increase again. Candidates with intermediate experience are hot cakes especially in insurance litigation, commercial litigation and property areas. Legal secretary recruitment is also predicted in intellectual property and corporate/commercial areas. Average salaries in top tier firms for legal secretaries with 3-4 years of experience is ,000, 5+ years of experience earns ,000 and Legal Secretary/PA (Practice Group Head/Senior Partner) earns ,000. In a Mid tire firm 3-4 years of experience will gain ,000; one with 5+ years of experience will earn ,000 and Legal Secretary/PA earns ,000. In boutique firms 3-4 years of experience earns ,000 and 5 + years of experience (at Partner/Principal level) earns ,000.

Legal Secretary Job Description

A typical day in the life of a legal secretary would be spent providing complex secretarial, technical and administrative support to the Legal Department. Legal secretary recruitment purpose is to compile, draft, edit and prepare contracts, legal documents, ordinances and resolutions, amendments, pleadings, legal forms, briefs, routine staff reports and correspondence independently or from with directions. LS monitors court calendars and legal deadlines for professional staff; keeps staff updated on deadlines; maintains records, monitors and processes foreclosure lawsuits; reviews title reports, prepares summons or other documents for signature; arranges and monitors payment schedules. Secretaries also schedule depositions, court reporters; assemble court documents and exhibits, assist management in the administration of the support functions; city staff, attorneys, public defenders, prosecutors; may assist attorneys provide service on the telephone or in-person to or other staff in locating legal documents or other reference information.



About the Author

Find legal secretary jobs and law firms job as a litigation secretary jobs. Search property secretary jobs, work cover secretary jobs, commercial secretary jobs and legal jobs, careers and employment.

Company Secretary Courses And Subjects

Article by Kiransripada







Company Secretary Courses

The Company Law Board initiated a course in the year 1960 which is a Diploma in Company Secretary ship by the Government. As a result, the Institute of Company Secretaries of India stretched in the year 1969. These come under the regulation of the Companies Act in 1956 of Section 25. As per the Act of 1980, this was converted into a constitutional organization.

The Course lineup the knowledge in the field of legal affairs and commercial economic filed with the contemporary practice.
The aim of this Course’s is to expand and control the business.


Foundation Course – 1st Stage: This is for the individual; he should pass the exam of Higher Secondary to meet up the eligibility criteria.
Intermediate Course – 2nd Stage: The Intermediate Course which the individual should pass the foundation phase.
Final Course – Last Stage/Final Course: The Final Course which the individual should clear all the two stages accurately to become a successful Company Secretary.

These are the all the 3 stages to be successfully completed

Eligibility Criteria:

Who and how an individual can pursue


One should have passed his/her Higher Secondary examination or Intermediate Examination in order to pursue the Company Secretary courses.

Those who are already a graduate and have cleared post graduation in Cost Accountancy or Chartered Accountancy has an advantage which is they can directly apply for the Intermediate stage of company secretary.

Training after Courses of Company Secretary:

After successfully clearing all the stages of the examinations; candidates have to go for a practical training for 16 months in order that the individual becomes the member of the Institute of the CSI and the person will be allocated a Professional Membership Number.

Extra Qualities:

The person must be devoted and he/she should accomplish the good writing and speaking English skills
He/she should also attain a moral character
He/she should be able to understand the strategies and policies of the company. In a straight way he/she should become diplomatic person and should also be intellectual, elegant, loyal and meticulous as well.
Subjects Covers:
Basic Economics
Business Communication
English
Financial Accounting
Company Law
Management Accounting
General and Commercial Law
Corporate Secretarial practice
Banking and Insurance
World Trade Organization
Corporate Restructuring
Human Resource Management and Industrial Relation
International Trade
Joint Ventures and Foreign Collaborations and many more

About the Author

Kiran Sripada
Web Analyst – SEO
BipSum Software Solutions (P) Ltd
Hyderabad
Andhrapradesh
India

Souters provides the student with an integrated range of courses enabling you to upgrade, enhance or learn from scratch, skills needed for roles in Business Administration, Business Finance and Book-keeping, Secretary and Personal Assistant Roles as well as Legal Secretary Courses and Business English Courses where needed. We provide courses for students of all abilities and from all over the world. Where appropriate you receive credits in the Qualification and Credit Framework (QCF). Diplomas are internationally recognised.
Video Rating: 5 / 5

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Legal Secretary Jobs – Legal Secretary Careers Explained

Article by Erik Johnson







Perhaps you are considering your career options and are wondering, “What does a legal secretary do?” or “what legal secretary jobs are there?” The duties of legal secretaries can vary depending on the specific law firm, corporate legal office or government agency that he or she is working for. There are many different legal secretary jobs – and not all of them are at law offices, as some might imagine. This is an ideal career for someone who wants to work in the legal field without going through the many, many years of law school.

Legal Secretary Job Description

After obtaining legal secretary degrees or certificates, which can be completed in two years or less in most cases, professionals of all ages can begin seeking work in the legal field. Legal secretaries assist attorneys with a variety of duties related to legal documents, legal research and organizing law libraries. It is often necessary to get an associate’s degree to be truly prepared for this job, because legal secretaries have to be well-versed in legal terminology and able to combine their legal knowledge with office duties seamlessly.

Although the legal secretary job duties vary among the different legal secretary careers, it is safe to say that anyone working in this type of position will be responsible for handling a diverse set of administrative responsibilities. Legal secretaries must be able to quickly type up various legal documents, memos and letters, for starters. They must also be able to efficiently and accurately maintain legal files, consult legal journals, assist with legal research, take notes, field phone calls, schedule appointments, participate in legal meetings and organize legal libraries. There are other duties that may come up in the course of the day as well, depending on the specific office or firm in question.

Not all legal secretaries have legal secretary degrees; some choose to complete short-term programs that lead to a career certificate. A degree program, however, will provide better preparation for careers in law firms, insurance companies, government organizations and/or legal departments within large companies. Classes in business math, business English, legal terminology, legal transcription, key boarding and office management are typically part of these two-year associate’s degree programs.



About the Author

Find complete information about top criminal justice school and criminal justice degrees programs on CriminalJusticeU.com. Choose the right criminal justice course for you and start career in criminal justice.

The BLS predicts that the demand for legal secretaries will hold steady in the coming years and will increase about as fast as the national average until 2014. The best opportunities will go to the candidates with the most experience and education. A legal secretary associate’s degree could prepare you for a career as a legal secretary, paralegal, legal assistant, or similar career. Classes may include Intro to Legal Office Management, Legal Transcription, Law Terminology, Keyboarding, Business Math, and more.

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