Family Law Legal Secretary Job Description

'A Legal Secretary is a professional working to provide support to attorneys, paralegals, and legal executives and is responsible for most of the clerical and administrative duties of the organisation, they are working in. Legal secretaries can be hired in private law firms, government agencies, companies and not for profit organisations. The schedule of the secretaries vary according to the attorneys, clients, and the multiple areas of practice. A Family Law Legal Secretary assists the family law attorney with his/her busy workload. They perform secretarial functions for attorneys, prepare legal documents and /or general correspondence from handwritten, dictation or printed copy, maintain files and calendars, schedule appointments and meetings and make travel arrangements. A typical family law attorney may handle cohabitation agreements, prenuptial agreements, paternity claims, and adoptions. Many a times a Family Law Legal Secretary also encounter clients dealing with the harsh reality of domestic violence. No particular certification is a prerequisite for an individual to become a legal secretary, however, the profession is highly competitive and many big law firms require it, especially if you want to advance. The secretaries always work in a busy environment and ability to handle a heavy workload is essential to succeed. A very personable and good client and phone skills, and excellent communication skills are required.


Here are a few sample family law legal secretary job descriptions:

Family Law Legal Secretary

The candidate will be support the team along on a number of issues for a longstanding private client base. Should have gained experience within the Family department of a law firm.

Family Law Legal Secretary

The candidate will be responsible for providing all round secretarial and administrative support, including liaising with clients and answering basic queries, diary management, producing documents (with the use of digital dictation), and maintaining filing and record systems. Strong communication and IT skills are important. Ability to audio type and copy type is essential. Knowledge of bighand digital dictation is preferable.

Family Law Legal Secretary

The candidate will be providing essential secretarial tasks including preparation of briefs, document preparation, dictation, diary management, filing, client liaison, proof reading correspondence, preparing documents and various other secretarial tasks. Must have a strong foundation of family law experience. 

Senior Family Law Legal Secretary

The candidate should have 2+ years of experience as a family law legal secretary. Experience supporting at Partner level will be highly regarded. Must also possess great interpersonal skills, great multi-tasking skills together with a pro-active approach and sympathetic attitude in dealing with confidential matters.

Family Law Legal Secretary 

The candidate will help prepare briefs to counsel, participate in the discovery process and draft correspondence and prepare court documents with your fee earners. Will work on general file and diary management. Should have 12+ months of family law experience.

Family Law Legal Secretary 

The candidate will work closely with clients and assist with a variety of family law matters including complex parenting proceedings, property and financial settlements and international matters. Will coordinate events, presentations and travel arrangements. Should have 5+ years of experience as a family law legal secretary.

Family Law Paralegal

The candidate will be working closely with attorney, this position is responsible for direct contact and communication with clients, preparing legal documents and pleadings for court, organizing client portfolios, analyzing production and discovery documents and financial data.

The candidate should have Associate's Degree. Paralegal Certificate - preferred. Working knowledge of court policies and procedures required. Ability to draft and analyze discovery documents. Excellent grammar and writing skills necessary. Ability to excel in a high paced work environment, properly prioritize and manage several demanding and competing responsibilities while meeting firm deadlines.'