Is there any professionals out there that can give advice to a Legal Secretary new to the Legal area of work?

I've been in office Admin for about 5 years and just accepted a job with a Divorce Attorney as a Legal Secretary. This is my first job in the Legal Business. Just looking for advice from anyone with expierence.Is there any professionals out there that can give advice to a Legal Secretary new to the Legal area of work?
Other than what the second poster said, here is information about what a legal secretary does:





A legal secretary does the following:





1. Transcribes tapes that are dictated by the attorney (or take shorthand while listening to what the attorney is dictating, depends on the firm) - and prepares them in whatever format the attorney wants (correspondence, motion, memos, etc.);


2. Reviews all incoming correspondence and bills for receipt %26amp; review of the correspondence (for the attorney);


3. Calendars deadlines - motions, court appearances, due dates (including ticklers - 1 week, 2 weeks before due date);


4. Inputs billing into the proper program (for the attorney's billable hours);


5. Makes copies;


6. Prepares documents to go to court;


7. Answers the phones - and takes messages if the attorney doesn't want to be bothered;


8. Files documents into the proper place (pleadings, correspondence, discovery);


9. Verifies that all documents are in the proper place when the attorney has an appearance;


10. Schedules depositions (the court reporter) and confirms depositions and/or other appearances before the attorney goes.


11. Has everything ready for the attorney's next day appearance (part of 9 and 10).





Good luck with your new job!Is there any professionals out there that can give advice to a Legal Secretary new to the Legal area of work?
Be discreet. Do not talk about the office cases at lunch time or on dinner dates. The person(s) you are talking about could be sitting at the next table. Be professional, tactful, and polite. You will have to bite your tongue many times a day dealing with whining clients, and for good reason - they are going through hell. Be prepared for lots of game playing with opposing counsel and their secretaries. Accuracy and responsibility are both very important. One typo on an important date, one missed calendaring, one missed filing fee and we are talking malpractice. Oh, and save money up for the hairdresser. You're going to get a lot of gray hair a lot sooner than you should!
Don't wear a blue dress to work.





Uummmmmm. I did not have sexual relations with that woman.
.My husband was a divorce attorney and I worked in his office off and on for about ten years.


It was very rewarding in many ways.


Your typing will be very important as sometimes they need papers drawn up immediately. Transcribing is important.





There is a book you can get that helps describe a lot of the legal terminology. Keep one handy on your desk.It really helps if you have it to refer to when needed.





congratulations on your new job...it may take you a long ways..as it did me.





telephone etiquette is important.





Keep your sense of humor..!!