been a legal secretary for years. took 5 years off. does anyone know what i should know on the computer before i start applying for work, in the legal field as a legal secretary/paralegal.
Answer by Serge M
You should be proficient with word processing, possibly some spreadsheet knowledge, and you should be able to use the computer for legal research, i.e. looking up laws, precedents, and in general searching the law libraries to which the firm subscribes. What you don't know, they can teach you.
Answer by CatLaw
Minimally you will need to know a word processor. Most law firms use either WORD or Word Perfect. The rest really depends on the law office. There is software that keeps the calendar of when certain events need to happen in a case, software that keeps track of an attorney's time by task by case, and legal research software (Lexis & Westlaw).
Large law firms have all the different variety of software, but the position you are hired for may only use one piece. Small firms may want you to learn how to do everything, because there is less specialized staff.
My suggestion is that do a little on-line research. Do a search on 'law firm software' you will see a lot of names. Look at some of the websites, I know that LexisNexis and Westlaw (the online research vendors) has a on-line "tour" which explains what their software does. By looking at what is out there you will become familiar with the terms and may be able to guage how fast you could learn to work with that software.
In the first interview you should find out what software the firm would want you to learn. By the second interview at least know something about the software, if only what it does. Good luck.
Answer by toy*
All of the Microsoft programs, Word, Excel, and Powerpoint. If it is a small office it may help to know accounting software like Quickbooks and how to create pdfs using Adobe.
Give your answer to this question below!
Orignal From: what computer knowledge should I know in law offices?
Post a Comment