Breaking down the difference between a legal secretary and a paralegal
Burnaby, BC - April 30, 2010 - A legal secretary is the term often used to describe a paralegal in the United States. The titles are most often interchangeable and synonymous with each other, resulting in the duties and responsibilities being similar as well.
Legal secretaries will most often perform administrative tasks such as taking dictation, word processing, filing and taking phone messages and may be responsible for conducting the research for the cases. A legal secretary is an assistant to an attorney, but unlike legal administrative assistants or general secretaries, will need to be trained and familiar with legal terminology and procedures. They will also need to be computer literate and will be trained in general office skills in addition those related to law. Legal secretaries are also required to be highly detail orientated and able to keep track of court filing deadlines.
Most legal secretaries find careers in law firms but can also be employed with government, schools, hospitals and corporate legal departments. Quite often, professionals will prefer the title as paralegal but most aspects of the position are the same as being a legal secretary. You will find that training as a legal secretary can result in the same jobs and careers as a paralegal.
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