The Legal Secretary—Personal Qualifications and Certification Flashcards
What are the aptitudes a legal secretary must have?
- Attitude
- Discretion
- Ethics
- Professionalism
- Accuracy
- Proper Appearance and dress
- Punctuality and dependability
- Desire to learn
Discretion means what to a legal secretary?
Being careful about what you say and do. Keep all matters in a law office strictly confidential. Never discuss any business affairs outside the office.
What does Ethics mean to a legal secretary?
Be forthright and truthful. Be on guard against unauthorized practices of law. Never give legal advice or solicit business for your law firm.
What does Professionalism mean to a legal secretary?
- Being courteous and professional.
- Not hesitating to ask questions to clarify assignments an attorney has given to you.
- Communicating clearly with your boss
- Be willing to admit any mistakes you make.
What does accuracy mean to a legal secretary?
Being accurate, especially while proofreading, typing clients’ names and addresses, and keeping office calendars updated. You need to be organized and methodical in your work, paying close attention to every detail.
Appearance and dress
Wear strictly business apparel (suits, tasteful dresses, and the like). Any jewelry you wear should be tasteful and complementary to your outfit. If you wear colognes or perfumes, choose light, not heavy, fragrances.
What does Punctuality and dependability mean to a legal secretary?
Arriving at your office in time to begin the day’s activities promptly at the office’s official starting time.
What does desire to learn mean to a legal secretary?
Always being willing to learn and update your skills to meet the needs of the attorney and the law firm. Change is part of the nature of law and legal procedures.
What is NALS?
The association for legal professionals, the nationwide professional association for legal secretaries.
What two certifications are provided by NALS?
Accredited Legal Professional and Professional Legal Secretary.
What is Accredited Legal Professional certification?
-A certification for an entry-level legal secretary with one year’s experience or a diploma from an accredited program
-The test consists of a one-day, six-hour exam on the following topics:
Written communications
Office procedures and legal terminology
Ethics, human relations, and judgment
What is a Professional Legal Secretary (PLS) certification?
=For a legal secretary with three or more years of legal experience.
-The exam, which is taken over two days, consists of the following topics:
Written communications Office procedures and technology Ethics and judgment skills Legal knowledge and skills A combination of the above topics in relation to the preparation of legal documents
Certified Professional Secretary (CPS) examination is given by who?
The International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP).
What were the The International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) formerly know as?
They were formerly as Professional Secretaries International.
What is the Certified Professional Secretary examination?
The CPS exam takes only one day and covers the topics of finance and business law, office systems, and administration and management. This a the highest credential out of the three.
