What are the duties of a legal secretary?

Question

Today's Parade magazine listed this job as one that doesn't require a college diploma. I assume they have some kind of 2 year program or something, right?

Answer 1

Most legal secretaries have basic/advanced secretarial skills and knowledge of all office procedures.

A legal secretary position is often demanding and stressful. The work often has to be done "right now."

Attorneys have a reputation of being "difficult," which is true, however, they are often under very strict time-frames for getting work prepared, typed, mailed, faxed, or messengered to someone.

Parade Magazine is incorrect. Most law firms want a legal secretary to have a College Degree, if one doesn't have a degree, they will look at the work history and other skills, advanced knowledge of MS-Word, PowerPoint and Excel, and other programs, there is a chance you can get hired.

One should have excellent communication skills, especially writing and oral communication, as you often have to talk to clients on the telephone or in-person.

The best paying legal secretary jobs are in New York City, where salaries go as high as $70k+, with excellent skills.

I am a former Supevisor of Legal Secretaries.