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From the perspective of a legal assistant of 25 years (so apparently I’m bulletproof because I’m older according to Associate 2 🙄), we sometimes truly are buried in work from the partners and unfortunately we can’t always get to the associates’ work. I am currently supporting 8 partners and 4 associates because we are short on support staff. At the firms I’ve been at, legal assistants aren’t permitted to work overtime without being chastised by HR. I personally hate not being able to assist everyone who asks for something, but we can definitely be overwhelmed with our workload whether associates realize it or not.
Well said.
Before complaining about a legal assistant (and I've been in that sort of position myself), ask yourself if there is anything you are doing to contribute to this dynamic, for example, behaving in a narcissistic, rude, or condescending manner. A lot of attorneys don't show much respect or concern or care when it comes to building relationships with staff, or treat staff like they're beneath them, then wonder why that person has little motivation to do a good job. If you really think you did your best to be a good person and build a respectful relationship, then maybe you need to address it with the person's supervisor. But first, ask if you could be coming off as a self-centered, insufferable jerk - you know, a typical attorney.
Staff is not invited to the firm’s annual Christmas and summer parties - it’s a real slap in the face - I completely get it.
Older assistants are bullet proof. Its a universally known rule.
You are cooked.
If necessary, you could inquire with sec. Services for a reassignment. They probably know what's going on and if they can accommodate they might
I’m here to tell you that there are no sacred cows, if they’re not doing the work, it is a performance issue. Address it, make them accountable. I support the lawyers in my firm when these issues come up, I do the dirty work on their behalf because they deserve the support they were promised when they joined the firm. I’m sure the firm holds you accountable for your billable time.
This is a near universal problem because there is just a huge talent shortage in the support staff arena. And I get why. Stressful work for little pay. I left a job with the best legal assistant of all time and knew I would never find someone as competent and hardworking as her again. It was a bittersweet move. A legal assistant can really make or break your day to day experience on the job.
Thank you for saying that !
Yes. Unfortunately you won’t like this but it’s best to do everything yourself because it will look bad on the associate to make a fuss and can irritate the wrong people… If they have been there forever clearly there’s a reason.
I also hate this… At my first firm I was very lucky and didn’t even realize it was rare until I lateralled! At first I tried addressing these issues and quickly realized I was getting myself into a lot of trouble. A lot of lazy and incompetent assistants will also try to make it look like it’s an abuse of power or authority so they can continue hiding in their incompetence, and one even filed a complaint against me! What non-sense. A good assistant/paralegal is worth its gold!
If I was your legal assistant I would be so thirsty to perform billable hours. You would not have to ask me twice.
Sometimes it is about the power dynamic. I have shared assistants with partners who get jealous/possessive any time you try to use the assistant. Suddenly, they have an emergency assignment that takes precedence. 🙄 One guy would then not do anything with that emergency drivel for a month. It was solely so she could not work for me. Some are too buried for the partners they work for to do anything else.
I do a lot of my own work, and know how to do almost everything, including run the postage machine. I am also familiar enough with my assistant's workload to know when she will get to something.
If you know they won’t do the task, then either ask someone else or do it yourself. It’s annoying when a legal assistant refuses to do work, but if you’re not their supervisor, there’s nothing you can do. If you have to work with them, start documenting things to cover yourself and provide examples of their actions.
I am looking for a job I have 21 yrs of experience
Same! I’ve got over 30 yrs and a strong work ethic 😁
I think I would address deadlines in a meeting and ask how his/her work is being prioritized.
Ask if you could give clarification to help in managing tasks and then give suggestions as to what your expectations might be.
I have managed assistants for 20+ years. All lawyers should be treated like a priority, they don’t have to be last on the totem pole because they’re at the Associate level. They worked hard to get their JD and aspire to become partners one day. My advice to Associate Attorney is to talk to the assistant first, if she is overwhelmed she should identify resources that can assist with getting the work done, immediately, i.e., peer, business center, etc. You can also start assigning deadlines to your work. Also, she can discuss this with HR since this could be included in her performance review. HR may reassign some of the lawyers. But it will never be addressed unless you take the first step.
Can I come work for you lol? I brought to HR ‘s attention that I was in a position to take on another attorney or two - that was over a year ago - nothing
As a legal assistant for 15 years, I’ve always tried to help not only my attorneys, but other assistants’ attorneys as well no matter how busy I am. At my current position, however, I am not allowed to talk to anyone even though I’m helping them. I got “yelled at” this morning when I tried to give information to a new secretary she said she didn’t know. I am no longer allowed to speak to her. I’m 56 going on 5. I do not understand how people hired to do a job either don’t do it, and suffer zero consequences but the ones who go above and beyond get into trouble.
An attorney is only as good as his assistants. Here I am, ready to give my all because I am passionate and driven. Yet I struggle to find a job.
Maybe helpful to provide hard deadline regarding turn around time.
How many is this person supporting?
Just me and one partner
I’ve been in the legal biz 42 years (I can’t even believe it) and I agree work we we do we should own and if we can’t bc we are too busy we need to speak up and ask for help. If you needed help I would definitely assist if possible but that is just my work ethic
Denote, pay deduction, warning letter, fired
Hire me! I like to get things done asap! 😄
It's time to fire do you know going to that check fine a whole lot of stuff a whole lot of stuff has to be done she works for you you don't work for her. Point blank
Do you provide a due date or expectations for completion?