Difference between Legal Secretary and Paralegal Assistant

Legal secretaries focus more on the clerical aspect of the law. You manage schedules, appointments, travel arrangements, databases and files. A legal secretary may also conduct case research under the direct supervision of a lawyer or paralegal. Generally, paralegals do more administrative work than paralegals, such as scheduling meetings or organizing client files, but this can vary depending on the employer and professional responsibilities. Note that although the ALA definition states that paralegals can perform paralegal duties, this is usually only possible if they have the necessary education and training. Being a legal assistant requires knowledge of the law and legal procedures. An associate degree in paralegal studies is usually the minimum requirement for this position. Many paralegals specialize in their field and earn national certification to enhance their expertise and employability. Legal secretaries are usually responsible for any form of communication from the firm, so this position can involve a lot of writing. You can also proofread many legal documents. Paralegals and uncertified paralegals are allies of lawyers, who are often tasked with critical tasks, including researching relevant jurisprudence, producing official documents, and compiling evidence for the court.

Finally, they may specialize in certain areas of law, just like the lawyers they work with: there are paralegals for litigation, corporate law, family law, etc. To become a paralegal or legal assistant, there are several educational paths. Traditional educational pathways include two- and four-year courses at universities or community colleges. After that, graduates can either take the NALA exam to become certified paralegals or work as non-certified legal assistants. However, non-traditional educational opportunities have also become available. Certificate courses in paralegal studies now exist and are even available online to be taken at the discretion of the learner. These can be completed in just six weeks, and while these don`t yet certify the learner as a paralegal, they could be the stepping stone needed to boost their career. In its guidelines on the use of paralegal services, the American Bar Association (ABA) notes that the words “paralegal” and “legal assistant” are often used interchangeably. The ABA provides the following definition: Wondering about the difference between a legal assistant and a legal secretary? The two are often used interchangeably, but they are not one and the same.

First, certified paralegals are lawyers who are not lawyers, but have passed the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) standardized tests. On the other hand, paralegals, often referred to as paralegals by the law firms that employ them, usually have the same responsibilities and duties, but have not yet passed the NALA exam. Large law firms usually have both employees; Uncertified paralegals can work towards their certification when employed at the firm. Like paralegals, all certifications for paralegals are voluntary. Some organizations issue certifications for paralegals and paralegals. NALS – Association for Legal Professionals offers exams for the qualifications of Professional Legal Secretary/Certified Legal Professional (PLS/CLP) and Professional Paralegal (PP). To be eligible for the exams, PP requires five years of professional experience; PLS/CLP takes three years. PYP candidates also tend to have more education. Legal secretary jobs have decreased as many administrative tasks are automated.

On the other hand, legal secretaries perform functions that are clearly different from those of paralegals or paralegals. Their duties tend to be more bureaucratic in nature and include keeping a lawyer`s schedule, making appointments with clients, and receiving messages and questions in case the lawyer is not available. Successful legal secretaries possess many of the same qualities as paralegals and even lawyers, such as: this is not necessarily required by a legal secretary, although knowledge of the field of law is beneficial for specialized tasks. The federal government is the highest-paid industry, with an average salary of $69,490 for paralegals. The second highest paid industry is finance and insurance. Those who work in these industries earn an average salary of $66,390. Paralegals generally have a higher level of education. You can have a university degree and have several certifications like those offered here at CSL. On the other hand, a legal secretary may only need a high school diploma and on-the-job training. Paralegals generally have a deeper knowledge of the law than secretaries.

To keep up, it may be beneficial to enroll in a Legal Administrative Assistant certificate program that includes training in Office software and computer programs. The median salary for legal secretaries and administrative assistants is $48,980 per year (Bureau of Labor Statistics). The specific tasks of a legal assistant often depend on the area of law in which he or she works. For example, if they are a paralegal, they can help prepare employee contracts and shareholder agreements. If they are process assistants, they can do research and organize evidence. Just as there are differences in the roles of the paralegal versus the legal secretary, there are also differences between paralegals and legal secretaries. Most legal secretaries work in the legal services sector, followed by local government. The median salary for legal secretaries in legal services is $49,110 and the median salary for local government legal secretaries is $46,490. The professional duties of a legal secretary may vary depending on the employer. They can perform traditional secretarial tasks, such as answering the phone or preparing presentations, and they can also assist with the legal tasks of the office, such as preparing legal documents. The Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts 10% growth for paralegals and paralegals over the next decade. Law firms are trying to reduce costs and increase efficiency, and a legal assistant helps meet this need.

Both positions support lawyers within the firm. They take care of all the aspects of the firm that the lawyers themselves do not have. For this reason, one of the essential requirements for legal secretaries and paralegals is the need for confidentiality. Contact NRI Legal Staffing to find your next position in the legal department. If you are looking for a supporting role in the legal industry, it is helpful to know the difference between the different roles. Legal assistants and legal secretaries support lawyers in a law firm or law firm. However, they do not share the same tasks. A legal secretary takes care of much of the administrative tasks of the office, while the legal assistant takes on more legal tasks without representing clients or acting as a lawyer. Let`s take a closer look. Professional certification is not required to become a legal assistant, but it is usually sought after by employers. The salaries of paralegals and paralegals are quite similar, according to the BLS report on paralegals and paralegals. And the BLS data reflects the two occupations together.

As you browse through the job postings, you will sometimes see job postings asking for a legal secretary or legal assistant. Paralegals are sometimes called legal assistants, which can be confusing for someone just starting out. After all, our general definition of a secretary is that of an assistant. FindLaw says at least a high school diploma, or GED, is usually required to work as a legal assistant. While there are no formal educational requirements to work as a legal assistant, you may want to consider higher education with a law degree to advance in your career. Paralegal positions usually require more training and previous experience. To become a certified legal assistant, you usually need a degree or certificate in legal or paralegal studies. Then you can take a certification exam through your state`s bar association. A paralegal is a specialist in the legal field who performs preparatory work for cases, such as researching laws, preparing legal documents, and assisting lawyers in preparing court proceedings.

You can charge clients for services provided in the same way as lawyers. Paralegals may earn more than paralegals due to training and hiring standards. According to the NFPA, four-year training is the hiring standard for paralegals in many markets. Salary may vary by location, education, industry and employer. BLS data shows the median salary of paralegals and paralegals in these industries: tasks also vary depending on the size of the company. In a smaller office, a legal assistant can also perform many of the same tasks as a legal secretary. In a large law firm, a legal assistant can only work on a specific stage of a case. For example, they can only do research or organize evidence.

While many work in private practice, it is also common for paralegals and paralegals to work in real estate, in-house legal services, health care, and non-profit organizations. Whatever the official definition, some people use the term “legal assistant” to describe their legal secretaries. It is therefore important for paralegal candidates to clarify the duties and expectations of a position before accepting it. A lawyer is an administrative assistant trained exclusively in the field of law. Through a comprehensive and specialized training program, legal secretaries are able to handle all administrative tasks in a law firm or legal department. A legal assistant can perform administrative and legal tasks to assist a lawyer or lawyer. Legal assistants can prepare court documents and process documents and conduct the necessary research to support them.