Legal Secretary (Assistant) - Austin Peay State University
Business and Professional

Legal Secretary (Assistant)

270 Hours
Beginner
English

Looking for a challenge? Do you like research and staying organized? Do you enjoy the excitement of a busy office? If so, then you should consider becoming a legal assistant or legal secretary. Legal assistants/secretaries perform clerical duties at law firms and other legal offices. Unlike regular assistants/secretaries, legal assistants require extensive knowledge of legal proceedings and documentation. They may do factual or legal research at all levels of a case and will often organize meetings, appointments and dates for attorneys. Some of the duties of a legal assistants/secretary include overseeing all clerical tasks that are necessary for keeping a law firm running efficiently, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov). A legal assistant works under general supervision to perform administrative and support functions for an attorney or judge.

After completing this course, offered by our accredited school partners, you should be able to:

• Define the job description of a legal assistant/secretary
• Identify correct billing & accounting methods
• Define terminology of the court
• Recognize types of contracts & torts
• Identify types of business partnerships
• Define types of wills & trusts

Enroll through one of our accredited university or college partners today!

Module 1: The Law Office
• The Lawyer’s Assistant
• The Career of a Lawyer’s Assistant
• NALS Certification
• Ethical Considerations
• Maintaining Integrity
• Getting to Know the Law Firm
• Client Relations
• Job Requirements
• Dealing with Incoming and Outgoing Mail
• File Management
Module 2: Computers, Billing and Basic Accounting Procedures
• Computers in the Law Office
• Operating Systems
• Document Management
• Understanding Billing
• Debits and Credits
• Time Entries
• Cost Entries
• Handling the Firm’s Checking Account
• Payroll
• Computing Interest
Module 3: Written Communication
• The Basics of English Grammar
• Review of Sentence Structure
• Punctuation
• Capitalization
• Abbreviations
• Number Usage
• Word Division
• Writing Letters, Memos, and Messages
• Parts of a Business Letter
• Forms of Address
Module 4: Legal Documents, Law Library and The Courts
• Preparing Legal Documents
• Legal Citations
• Legal Research
• Hierarchy of Legal Authority
• Legal Texts
• History of the Law
• The American Judicial System
• Dual System of Courts
• Terminology of the Court
• Court Officers
Module 5: Administrative Agencies and Litigation
• Federal and State Agencies
• Opening the Litigation File
• Before the Suit is Filed
• Pleadings
• Request for Jury Trial
• Mediations
• Stipulations
• Trial Notebooks
• Settlement
• Appeals
• Billing
Module 6: Contracts, Torts and Criminal Law Procedures
• The Statute of Frauds
• Types of Contracts
• Discharge of Contracts
• Kinds of Torts
• Initial Client Interview
• Sources of Criminal Law
• Classes of Crime
• Misdemeanor Cases
• Felony Cases
• Post-trial Proceedings
Module 7: Family Law and Business Organizations
• Influence of Uniform Acts
• Marriage
• Divorce
• Procedures of Termination of Marriage
• Uncontested Proceedings
• Corporations
• Corporate Structure and Operation
• Incorporation Process
• Partnerships
• Limited Liability Company
Module 8: Real Estate and Estate Planning
• History of Real Estate Law
• Evidence of Title to Real Estate
• Instruments of Conveyance
• The Real Estate Transaction
• Preparation of Deeds
• Terminology in Estate Planning
• Characteristics of a Will
• Types of Wills
• Preparation of Wills
Module 9: Guardianships and Bankruptcy
• The Uniform Probate Code
• Functions of Estate Administration
• Identification of Assets
• Personal Representative
• Probate Procedures
• The Bankruptcy Code
• Bankruptcy Courts and Jurisdiction
• Filing a Bankruptcy
• The Debtor’s Estate
• Discharge of Debts

Upon successful completion of our Legal Assistant/ Legal Secretary course, students will be prepared for an entry-level position as a Legal Assistant or Legal Secretary in a Law office setting and will be prepared, in part, to sit for the NALS national certification exam to become an Accredited Legal Professional (ALP). This exam also requires that you have one year of general office experience. Each state may have additional licensing requirements, be sure to research your states requirements for employment by visiting your states occupation board.

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Flexibility
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Our online training comes with access to real, live support personnel that will help you through every step from our admissions adviser who will assist you with selecting the right training for you, to our student adviser who will be there with you during your entire training journey.
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We have tailored our programs to provide comprehensive training in the technical and soft skills employers are looking for. With direct input and feedback from industry leaders and hiring managers, our program aligns with exactly what you need to successfully enter the workforce.
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Our career training not only gives you the knowledge you need but preparation for the certification exams relevant to your desired career path. If you are pursuing an exciting new career in a field with a national certification, our program will both prepare you to sit for the exam but will often include a voucher for the exam cost.
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Our training programs have been developed with real learners and professionals in mind, so our programs incorporate real-world case studies and virtual simulations that will provide examples and interactions with real-life situations you may encounter during your career. These allow you to learn by experience with circumstances similar to what will be your daily responsibilities on the job.
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Our training curriculum was developed with you in mind, looking at modern day learners and their needs. Our curriculum contains a mix of formats including reading, listening, watching, and interacting that will immerse you into a fun and engaging learning experience you will not only enjoy but not want to end.

Program Description



Looking for a challenge? Do you like research and staying organized? Do you enjoy the excitement of a busy office? If so, then you should consider becoming a legal assistant or legal secretary. Legal assistants/secretaries perform clerical duties at law firms and other legal offices. Unlike regular assistants/secretaries, legal assistants require extensive knowledge of legal proceedings and documentation. They may do factual or legal research at all levels of a case and will often organize meetings, appointments and dates for attorneys. Some of the duties of a legal assistants/secretary include overseeing all clerical tasks that are necessary for keeping a law firm running efficiently, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov). A legal assistant works under general supervision to perform administrative and support functions for an attorney or judge.

After completing this course, offered by our accredited school partners, you should be able to:

• Define the job description of a legal assistant/secretary
• Identify correct billing & accounting methods
• Define terminology of the court
• Recognize types of contracts & torts
• Identify types of business partnerships
• Define types of wills & trusts

Enroll through one of our accredited university or college partners today!

FAQ

To request more information, you can contact us via online chat, our website contact form, or toll free at 1-855-201-6910.

Online courses are accessible 24/7/365 and self-paced, allowing you to progress at your own pace on your own schedule. They can be taken from anywhere in the world from the comfort of your own home. Classroom courses have a set schedule of the days and times the courses will be held, and you must attend during those specific times.

Find out if online learning is right for you by contacting our team of registration advisers. Our team is available to answer any of your questions about taking an online course before you commit to enrolling. We will walk you through what to expect to ensure you are making the right decision. You can contact a registration adviser today via online chat, our website contact form, or toll free at 1-855-201-6910.

No, you are not required to have a diploma or higher education degree to enroll in an online course. However, some occupations may require minimum educational thresholds for employment or certification. For more information on your desired career requirements, please contact us via online chat, our website contact form, or toll free at 1-855-201-6910.

To take an online course, you will need to have access to an internet connection and an internet ready device such as a laptop, PC, or tablet. For course specific requirements, please visit the course page or contact a registration adviser today.

Our courses are developed with multiple formats including text, audio, video, and interactivity. Our courses also include multiple resources and tools which can include flashcards, games, activities, and more.

No, you can take the online courses from anywhere in the world.

We participate in several financial assistance options including third party funding, both military and non-military. To request more information on the financial assistance options available and check your eligibility, contact us via online chat, our website contact form, or toll free at 1-855-201-6910.

Duration is the amount of time you will receive access to your course. Durations vary by course and range between 1 month and 12 months. If you complete your course before your duration ends you will continue to have access to your course until the duration period ends.

Many of our career training programs include certification vouchers. This means that at the successful completion of your course, at no additional charge, you will receive an exam voucher for the corresponding industry certification. This voucher will allow you to register and sit for the appropriate certification exam to obtain your industry credential.

Our online courses are open enrollment, so you can start immediately. If you are using any third-party funding to cover your course tuition, your start date may be a future date determined by your funding program.

Once enrolled, you will be assigned a client adviser who will provide you with customer and technical support. Your client adviser will supply you with your course access information, any needed materials, and be available to answer any questions you have during your training experience. They will regularly check-in with you to monitor your progress and assist you with staying on track. You will also be assigned to a course mentor who will provide curriculum support throughout your training. Your mentor is available to answer any questions you have on your course curriculum, will monitor your progress and understanding of the curriculum, and may give assignments or quizzes.

If you experience any trouble accessing your course including technical issues or lost login credentials, please contact your client adviser at Austin Peay State University.

Our goal for students is to successfully complete their training course and achieve their career goals. We understand that extenuating circumstances can interfere with your ability to complete your course in the duration given. Because of this we have free or low-cost extensions available for our courses upon request. To discuss or request an extension please contact your client adviser at Austin Peay State University.

Upon successful completion of your course and fulfillment of any outstanding financial obligations, you will receive your certificate of completion. Certificates are provided to you within 30 days of completion. Your certificate will validate the training course you completed with a stamp of completion.

Students that successfully complete our career training programs are assigned a career development adviser who will coordinate placement at a local externship or hands on opportunity. These opportunities are optional and may vary based on availability and occupation. Your career development adviser will also provide job search services such as: resume building, mock interviews, job opportunity resources, and more. Our professional enrichment courses do not come with a career adviser or career services.