how smart do you have to be to a legal secretary?

Question

i'm in school wondering if i should change my course i'm taking now administrative assistant or go into legal assistant
my student advisor doesnt think i'm well fit for it because i'm not a bi-otch, and i think it maybe hard learning the law stuff,
but i willing to work hard, so should i go for it? is it the better choice

Answer 1

You have to be clever enough to get along with a lawyer, which can be difficult sometimes, tactful enough to point out mistakes (or something which you think may be a mistake), thick-skinned enough to put up with occasional ranting,raving,and raging,
and subtle enough so that when you come up with a good idea, you will be able to make him think that it was his own idea.
Of course, you will run into difficult people no matter what kind of work you choose to do. Doctors, especially surgeons, can be worse than lawyers.
I wish you well.

Answer 2

If you live in a major city, it is possible to make a lot of money as as a legal secretary. As a former supervisor of legal secretaries, I can tell you it is a financially lucrative job. In NYC salaries are in the $55K/$60K's if you work in a large law firm. Research the salaries in your city, look on Monster.com and Hotjobs for salaries.

Most law firms train legal secretaries. The work is not hard, but can be tedious, depending on the area of law. Attorneys want secretaries that are bright, well-spoken, good attendance,
punctual. What is important is "attention to detail," excellent typing (familiar with Microsoft suite) and excellent follow-up. There are many areas of law that you can work in: corpoate, intellectual property, patent and trademark, litigation, criminal, entertainment law, copyright/trademark and many other sectors. You will answer telephones, file (unless there is a file clerk in the office). Excellent typing: a typing speed of 60-70 wpm is required.

It is best to work in a large law firm as the benefits (vacation/sick/holidays) are better than in a small firm. In a small firm the legal secretary has to do a lot of work herself, as there may not be a word-processing department to assist the secretary with document production.

I suggest continue with administrative assistant studies, as it is more valuable. Strong admininstratve assistant skills will be useful in a law firm. Don't worry about the "law stuff," because you will catch on, most legal work is repetitive, you do the same thing over and over most of the time, just copy and paste from another document.

Your student advisor probably made the comment, based on the reputation of some attorneys. They are under a lot of pressure to have work done quickly. Some are difficult to work and some are not. Don't let that bother you. Attorneys want good quality work from a secretary that can keep-up with the day-to-day routine, such as calendaring appointments on the computer. You may be asked to order lunch for your attorney.

I'll be glad to answer other questions. I started as a legal secreary and was promoted to management. Overtime may often be required. I will be glad to answer other questions for you. I started as a legal secreary and was promoted to management.

Some attorneys give excellent financial bonuses to their secretary during the holiday season. Don't worry, you will do fine, you are smart enough to inquire about the field, so that tells me you will be an ideal legal secretary. Go for it.

Answer 3

To be a legal secretary you have to have be assertive and willing to take criticisim from the lawyer. It pays a lot better than an administrative assistant. I think it is well worth looking into. Ask your professors about it and go talk to some legal secretaries and see what type of work they do before changing majors.

Answer 4

Don't let your Student Advisor (or any one else) tell you what you can and cannnot do,when it comes to your career. You've already set the path to knowledge,when you started studying Administrative Assisting. Instead of opting out of it,finish the course,get your degree,and if possible,go on to study for you Legal Assistance degree. Now you'll have 2 notches under your belt,while your SA,is trying to hold you back. "Knowledge is Power" baby!. Get your degrees,get a high-paying postion,and "Make that money!". (I'm rootin for ya!)

Answer 5

u do not need to be a biotch---simply do your job---study hard---and yes---one need to be smart and pay attention....u can do anything if u set your mind to it---do not goof off in class---and u will do just fine....remember the movie with reese witherspoon and she becomes an attorney----legally blonde---i know it is just a movie--but the theory is the same

GOOD LUCK--U CAN DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 6

Smarter than the Boss!!

Answer 7

its hard....., u need determination....and perseverance....accept the challenge.....its worth it!!!