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Business & Office

How to become a Legal Secretary

From administrative assistant: every step, how long it takes, and the credential it earns.

Time to get there
3–12 months
Typical pay
$45k–$65k
Starting from
Administrative assistant

Pay is an estimate of typical US entry-level pay for this role and varies by state, employer and shift. The timeline assumes you are starting from administrative assistant and includes any licence or programme legally required, not just course length.

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The route

  1. Get administrative experience

    Firms hire on accuracy and discretion more than on legal knowledge.

    Course that covers thisPersonal Secretary: Office and Administrative AssistantUdemy · around $19.99
  2. Learn court filing and formatting

    E-filing rules, citation format and deadlines that cannot be missed.

  3. Learn one practice area

    Litigation, family or corporate. The documents and rhythms differ completely.

  4. Progress toward paralegal

    The natural next rung, and a substantial pay step.

  5. Destination

    Legal Secretary

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