Legal Secretary Resume Example (Free Guide)

Welcome to our Legal Secretary Resume Example article! Here, we will provide you with helpful tips and tricks on how to write an effective and persuasive legal secretary resume. We will discuss what information to include, formatting tips, and other important considerations. We will also provide you with a downloadable resume sample that you can use as a starting point for your own document. Whether you’re a seasoned legal secretary or just starting out, this article will provide you with the tools you need to get your resume noticed.

We will cover:

How to write a resume, no matter your industry or job title.
What to put on a resume to stand out.
The top skills employers from every industry want to see.
How to build a resume fast with our professional Resume Builder.
What a resume template is, and why you should use it.

Plus, we will provide expert resume writing tips and professional examples to inspire you.

What does a Legal Secretary do?

A legal secretary provides administrative support to lawyers and other legal staff. They prepare legal documents, such as pleadings, briefs, appeals, and contracts; schedule appointments; maintain lawyer's calendars; and often provide basic legal research. Additionally, legal secretaries may be responsible for performing clerical tasks such as filing, typing, copying, faxing, and answering phones.

We’re about to begin, but first, here are some other Legal Secretary related resume examples:

What are some responsibilities of a Legal Secretary?

Drafting legal documents such as letters, memorandums and court pleadings
Maintaining and organizing legal files
Answering phones, responding to emails and other forms of communication
Scheduling appointments, depositions and court appearances
Preparing and filing documents with the court
Recording and maintaining court documents
Conducting legal research
Preparing and billing clients
Photocopying and scanning documents

Sample Legal Secretary Resume for Inspiration

Personal Details:
Name: Jane Johnson
Address: 2 High Street, Anytown, AB12 3YZ
Phone: 07891 123456
Email: janejohnson@example.com

Summary:
Jane Johnson is a highly experienced Legal Secretary with over 10 years of experience in the legal field. She is an effective problem solver, able to rapidly assess and resolve complex issues. Jane is an organized and efficient worker with an excellent eye for detail. She has a proven track record of providing exceptional administrative support to attorneys and legal staff.

Work Experience:

Legal Secretary, Law Firm, Anytown – October 2015 to Present

Provide administrative support to attorneys and legal staff, including document review and preparation
Prepare and review legal documents and correspondence in accordance with attorney instructions
Schedule appointments, compile and manage client files, and distribute mail
Provide legal research and analysis, as requested

Legal Secretary, Law Firm, Anytown – May 2010 to October 2015

Provided administrative support to attorneys and legal staff, including document review and preparation
Prepared legal documents and correspondence for attorneys
Scheduled appointments, created and maintained client files, and distributed mail
Provided legal research and analysis, as requested

Education:
Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies, Anytown University, Anytown, AB, 2008

Skills:

Proficient in legal terminology and procedures
Excellent organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills
Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Acrobat, and various legal software programs

Certifications:
Certified Legal Secretary, Anytown College, Anytown, AB, 2009

Languages:
English (fluent)

Resume tips for Legal Secretary

Creating a perfect, career-launching resume is no easy task. Following general writing rules can help, but it is also smart to get advice tailored to your specific job search. When you’re new to the employment world, you need Legal Secretary resume tips.
We collected the best tips from seasoned Legal Secretary - Check out their advice to not only make your writing process easier but also increase your chances of creating a resume that piques the interest of prospective employers.

Highlight relevant experience, such as filing, drafting legal documents, and scheduling court appearances.
Include any certifications that are applicable to the position.
List any specialized language skills or technical proficiency in legal software.
Demonstrate knowledge of court proceedings, terminology, and legal research.
Include important soft skills such as communication, multitasking, and time management.

Legal Secretary Resume Summary Examples

A legal secretary resume summary or resume objective is important to include in a resume because it highlights the most important skills and qualifications that the applicant has for the job. It also gives employers a quick overview of the applicant's qualifications and experience, which can help them make an informed decision when selecting a candidate for an interview. By including a summary or objective, applicants can stand out from the competition and showcase their qualifications in a concise and effective way.

For Example:

Experienced Legal Secretary with 10+ years of administrative support experience in a legal setting. Proven ability to multitask and prioritize tasks efficiently.
Skilled Legal Secretary offering over 8 years of experience in the legal field. Experienced in drafting legal documents and creating legal correspondence.
Highly organized and detail-oriented Legal Secretary with 5+ years of experience providing efficient support to attorneys. Strong working knowledge of legal terminology and procedures.
Legal Secretary with 7+ years of experience providing administrative support to attorneys. Capable of maintaining an organized office and managing a multitude of tasks.
Dynamic Legal Secretary with 6+ years of experience in the legal field. Adept at preparing legal documents, managing deadlines, and coordinating court appearances.

Build a Strong Experience Section for Your Legal Secretary Resume

Building a strong experience section for a legal secretary resume is important because it allows employers to quickly and easily assess your qualifications for the position. Your experience section should include details of your work history, including the companies you’ve worked with, the tasks you’ve performed, and the results you’ve achieved. This allows employers to get an immediate sense of your qualifications and whether or not you’ll be a good fit for their organization. It also allows you to showcase your skills and demonstrate your value to the employer. By creating a strong experience section, you can increase your chances of landing the job.

For Example:

Provided administrative and secretarial support to multiple Senior Attorneys in a fast-paced legal office.
Researched legal documents and maintained an organized filing system.
Composed and edited legal documents, including pleadings, briefs, appeals, and memos.
Performed administrative tasks such as scheduling meetings, responding to emails, and filing documents.
Prepared and proofread legal documents and correspondence.
Assisted with preparing for trials, hearings, and depositions.
Transcribed and summarized legal documents and briefs.
Managed a large volume of incoming and outgoing telephone calls.
Scheduled travel arrangements for attorneys and clients.
Maintained confidentiality of all sensitive legal information.

Legal Secretary resume education example

A legal secretary typically needs to have a high school diploma or its equivalent. Some employers may also require some postsecondary education, such as a legal assistant or paralegal certificate. Many employers also prefer to hire legal secretaries who have some prior experience in an administrative or legal environment.

Here is an example of an experience listing suitable for a Legal Secretary resume:

Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies from University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, May 2020
Associate of Science in Paralegal Studies from Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ, May 2018
Completed a Paralegal Certificate Program at The National Center for Paralegal Training, Atlanta, GA, June 2017

Legal Secretary Skills for a Resume

Adding skills to a Legal Secretary resume is important because it allows employers to quickly identify the qualifications you possess that make you a good fit for the position. It also allows employers to quickly compare your skills with those of other applicants. By including specific skills, such as proficiency in court filing systems, knowledge of legal terminology and procedures, excellent organizational skills, and the ability to maintain confidentiality, you can demonstrate to employers that you have the qualifications needed to be a successful Legal Secretary.

Soft Skills:

Organizational Skills
Time Management
Communication
Detail Orientation
Problem Solving
Interpersonal Skills
Multi-tasking
Researching Skills
Typing Skills
Data Entry

Hard Skills:

Legal Writing
Document Preparation
Calendaring
Billing Management
Legal Research
Proofreading
Transcription
Contract Drafting
Data Entry
Court Filing

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Writing a Legal Secretary Resume

In this competitive job market, employers receive an average of 180 applications for each open position. To process these resumes, companies often rely on automated applicant tracking systems, which can sift through resumes and eliminate the least qualified applicants. If your resume is among the few that make it past these bots, it must still impress the recruiter or hiring manager. With so many applications coming in, recruiters typically give each resume only 5 seconds of their attention before deciding whether to discard it. Considering this, it's best to avoid including any distracting information on your application that could cause it to be thrown away. To help make sure your resume stands out, review the list below of what you should not include on your job application.

Not including a cover letter. A cover letter is a great way to explain why you are the best candidate for the job and why you want the position.
Using too much jargon. Hiring managers do not want to read a resume full of technical terms that they do not understand.
Omitting important details. Make sure to include your contact information, educational background, job history, and any relevant skills and experiences.
Using a generic template. Take the time to customize your resume to the job you are applying for. This will show the employer that you are serious about the position.
Spelling and grammar errors. Always double-check your resume for typos, spelling mistakes, and grammar errors.
Focusing too much on duties. Make sure to include accomplishments and successes to show the employer that you are a great candidate.
Including personal information. Avoid including any personal information such as age, marital status, or religious beliefs.

Key takeaways for a Legal Secretary resume

Highlight your typing speed and accuracy
Include your expertise in document preparation, filing, and transcription
Mention any specialized legal software knowledge
Showcase your ability to prioritize tasks and handle multiple responsibilities
Demonstrate your excellent communication and organizational skills
Describe your commitment to upholding confidentiality and accuracy

It's time to begin the job search. Make sure you put your best foot forward and land your next job with the help of Resumaker.ai.