If you're considering a career in legal support, becoming a Legal Secretary is one of the most accessible and rewarding routes into the legal profession. You don't need a law degree, and you don't need any experience to get started. Here's what the role involves and how to get there.
What Does a Legal Secretary Do?
Legal Secretaries are the backbone of a law firm or legal department. The role has moved well beyond typing and filing. On a typical day, a Legal Secretary might draft and send legal correspondence, prepare legal documents, manage case files, liaise with clients and courts, and keep fee earners organised and on schedule.
Because the role touches so many parts of a firm's daily operation, Legal Secretaries need a mix of administrative and technology skills, attention to detail, and an understanding of law and legal procedures.
The Skills Employers Look For
- Strong written and spoken English
- Familiarity with law and legal procedures
- Competence in producing legal forms and documents
- Confidence using computer and word processing software
- Time management, particularly when supporting several fee earners at once
- Discretion and professionalism when dealing with confidential client matters
Many of these skills can be built through structured training as well as transferable experience, which is why a dedicated qualification through the Institute of Legal Secretaries and PAs can open the path into the role considerably.
How to Get Started
1. Build your foundation with a recognised qualification
ILSPA’s Legal Secretaries Diploma course covers the core knowledge employers expect, including key Legal Secretary skills, various areas of law and legal document production. You have the option to study how you wish and choose the subjects that most suit your career goals. Most of all, it gives you a credential on your CV, as the course qualifies you to work as a Legal Secretary without prior experience.
2. Get comfortable with the tools of the trade
Legal Secretaries typically work with case management systems, document automation tools, and increasingly, AI-assisted drafting tools. Familiarity with these, even at a basic level, makes you a stronger candidate. ILSPA’s AI in Legal Practice course can be chosen as one of your subject options within the Legal Secretaries Diploma or you can study it as a standalone course.
3. Look for entry points beyond traditional firms
While high street and City law firms are the obvious route into the profession, in-house legal teams, local authorities, and Barrister’s chambers also employ Legal Secretaries. Take a look at the jobs available on ILSPA’s Legal Secretary Jobs Board as well as our recruitment partners such as Totally Legal, Secs in the City and The Legists to get a good idea of the type of vacancies advertised.
4. Be Part of a Community of Legal Secretaries
Joining a professional body such as ILSPA gives you a sense of belonging to a global community of Legal Secretaries. You have access to a wealth of career development resources, help to secure employment and professional guidance from our team. It shows employers that you are serious about the profession, which can take you far.
5. Tailor your CV to the role
Highlight transferable skills from previous administrative or client-facing roles, alongside any relevant qualifications. Employers value organisation and reliability as much as legal knowledge, particularly for entry-level positions. If you are a Student or Member of ILSPA, we can help you improve your CV so that it is of a professional standard and includes the information employers are looking for.
Is It a Good Career Choice?
Legal Secretary roles offer genuine progression. Many go on to become Paralegals, Legal Executives or even Solicitors, using the role as a stepping stone into wider legal careers. Others build long, stable careers within the position itself, valuing the variety and responsibility it brings. Take a look at the career experiences of ILSPA’s community to discover what’s possible. The Legal Secretary role also adapts well to change. As firms adopt new technology, Legal Secretaries simply upskill to understand both traditional legal processes and modern tools such as AI. It is worth noting that AI is a useful assistant, not a replacement for Legal Secretaries. Legal bodies have issed guidance on AI-assisted work, and Legal Secretaries are needed to check and verify AI outputs before they are relied upon. This makes the role more relevant than ever.
Your Next Steps
If you're ready to explore a career as a Legal Secretary, look at what ILSPA has to offer. Whether you are a career starter or a career changer, we can help you secure a fulfilling role. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you would like to chat to our team about your next steps.
