This intensive program is designed for both beginning and experienced secretaries who are interested in improving their skills and working more efficiently within the law office. Students will study such topics as: legal terminology; legal process; jurisdiction and venue; ethics; written communications including letters, pleadings, discovery, notices and motions; filing procedures, billing and accounting; time management; records management; an overview of commonly used word and data processing programs; legal research; memoranda preparation, and citation format.

Lesson 1: During this first section students will receive an introduction to the theory of law, the legal process, and the nature of the practice of law. Discussion will include the process of law as well as the specific legal terminology. Ethics are also covered.

Lesson 2: This section addresses the particulars of law office management. This session also studies technology used in the law office. Students will be exposed to actual court documents and will prepare some of these documents as part of their homework.

Lesson 3: The final section will be spent examining the intricacies of the law office, including office procedure manuals, billing techniques, and overall management techniques of the law office. Students will also be introduced to the basics of legal research and proper citation format. Job search strategies and placement possibilities will also be discussed.

Formats available:

• Live Lecture
• Online
• DVD
• Text-Only

For beginning and advanced legal secretaries.

• Professional certificate awarded by a college or university of your choice
• Three or Four Weekends
• 42 hours of instruction
• View the Course Syllabus
• Students will be qualified to assist attorneys, paralegals, insurance companies, private businesses, and state and federal government agencies.
• This course will provide those interested in a career change with new, marketable job skills and also help those already working as legal secretaries to increase efficiency and productivity in their offices.
• Schools offering the Live format - Schedule
• Financial Aid Information
• Order Books Online

The Center for Legal Studies features in an online format the same Legal Secretary Certificate Course that has been offered live since 1980 at colleges and universities throughout the nation. Through your computer, this course is available to students who, because of location or schedule conflicts, are unable to attend the popular live lectures.

• View the Course Syllabus
• Review the material as many times as necessary for full retention of the information.
• Students benefit from direct interaction with the instructor and other students by way of email and a discussion board.
• Students have 7 weeks to complete the online course.
• Students e-mail assignments and exams
• Schools offering the Online format - Schedule
• Once registered, your password and access information will be sent in time for the start of class.
• Financial Aid Information
• Order Books Online

This intensive program is designed for both beginning and experienced secretaries who are interested in improving their skills and working more efficiently within the law office. Students will study such topics as: legal terminology; legal process; jurisdiction and venue; ethics; written communications including letters, pleadings, discovery, notices and motions; filing procedures, billing and accounting; time management; records management; an overview of commonly used word and data processing programs; legal research; memoranda preparation, and citation format.

This course will provide those interested in a career change with new, marketable job skills and also help those already working as legal secretaries to increase efficiency and productivity in their offices. Job search strategies and placement possibilities will also be discussed.

• Students mail or email assignments and take-home exams
• View the Course Syllabus
• Review the material as many times as necessary for full retention of the information.
• Questions can be directed to the instructor via a toll-free number or via mail or email.
• Twelve (12) hours of taped live lecture
• Students have a maximum of six months to complete the Legal Secretary Certificate Course.
• Schools offering the DVD format - Schedule
• Order Books Online

The Center for Legal Studies features in a text-only format the same Legal Secretary Certificate Course that has been offered live since 1980 at colleges and universities throughout the nation. This course is available to students who, because of location or schedule conflicts, are unable to attend the popular live lectures or online courses.

• View the Course Syllabus
• Students mail or email assignments and take-home exams
• Review the material as many times as necessary for full retention of the information.
• Questions can be directed to the instructor via a toll-free number or via mail or email.
• Students have a maximum of six months to complete the Legal Secretary Certificate Course.
• Schools offering the Text-Only format - Schedule
• Once registered, your password and access information will be sent in time for the start of class.
• Financial Aid Information
• Order Books Online

Required textbooks for the Live Lecture and Online formats are:

• Legal Secretary Handbook, 2nd Edition, ISBN# 978-0-9637248-3-0. This book is only available for purchase through CLS.
• Order Books Online

Required textbooks for the DVD Format:

• The Legal Secretarial Handbook, by Scott and Lisa Hatch, ISBN# 0-9637248-4-3. This book is only available for purchase through CLS.
• Uniform System of Citation, most recent edition
• Order Books Online
• Order DVDs Online

Required textbooks for the Text-Only Format:

• Uniform System of Citation, most recent edition
• Order Books Online

Highly Recommended Legal Resources:

• WESTLAW legal research access, only $89. Please call 1-800-522-7737 for more information or order online
• Oran’s Dictionary of the Law, 4th Edition
• Order Books Online