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This happened to me all of the time as a paralegal.
I’d recommend having a running matter/to-do list sorted by deadline/importance so when your attorney (Attorney A) drops something on you last minute – you can ask them how important it is as you have X, Y, and Z with pressing deadlines.
If their item has a conflict and both items are from the same attorney, ask them which is more priority. Let them make the call and make sure they understand that the item on the list might be late due to this. If they’re from separate attorneys, tell Attorney A that Attorney B has something with a deadline that conflicts with their and reach out to Attorney B to see if it’s fine for the item to jump the line.
Every single day. I’m so burnt out from the constant change of plans and priorities that I’m going to a less intense firm, I put my notice in yesterday.
Good for you!!
Welcome to every Paralegal’s reality.
I can relate- it’s not exclusive to Attorneys, managers or work colleague do so too. The people I work with now are extremely reasonable and the atty to paralegal ratio is great so if I cant pick it up, the other paralegal will. Having a reasonable, supportive team is key.
Yes, all the time.
Agree with the above. Shift priorities. I hate that interruption too. It’s stressful, but I’ve found over the years that no matter how organized and proactive you are, there will always be some “emergency” that pops up. If you accept that it will happen occasionally (or frequently), it shifts your mindset so it’s not as stressful and disruptive. Just roll with it!
But of course
Not only the attorneys but office managers as well. My office manager has called several times after I’m long gone for the day for something that is “due today.”
Like every day?
Absolutely
All the time.