New first year here (aka started three weeks ago) and my senior that I’ve been working with primarily has been so, so nice. I even messed something up (not a huge deal, but definitely still an inconvenience) and she just said no worries, we will figure it out that’s my bad for missing it when reviewing. Just wanted to express a general appreciation for everyone who is patient with juniors like me. Anything I can do (other than saying thanks) to express appreciation for all the help?
Ask her how you can help her career. Ask her which files she likes best and what kind of work you can give her that she actually likes (when you get the option). And most of all, ask how you can make her life easier. You want her to stay? Make her feel irreplaceable and treat her like more than her job.
Tell her she can leave at 4PM on Friday
lol, she actually works 7-4, but I don't get to decide that. If only!
I started my 2nd job out of law school and started at a small firm about 3 months ago. I have never had a dedicated (or really any) assistant or paralegal. Now I have one who works with myself and anothet attorney and she is a godsend. Truly amazing at her job and also probably better at mine than I am. The firm treats her like shit though, piling on extra work, threatening to transfer her to the attorney whose assistants quit every 2-3 months, blaming her when anything goes wrong, just generally not appreciating her. Meanwhile, she makes me look great and keeps me on track and the partners keep making a big deal about how great I am (I'm really, trully not) in front of everyone, while never saying anything nice about our support staff. She has confided in me that she gets offers to be poached constantly, and I'm sure she'll take one soon, but in the meantime, how can I show how much I appreciate her?
As a former para, one of the things that made me feel most appreciated was when my attorneys would tell the clients how great I was, or when I went to court with them for trial, they would talk us up too. I think a lot of paralegals feel really undervalued because they feel like their bosses don’t realize or thing they do as much as they do for them! So while the gifts are nice, if you want to make your paralegal actually feel valued, make sure they understand the value you place on them!
Say thanks
Tell her.
And tell everyone else too.
And tell people up the chain from you how great she is. Often there are legal 3 or 4 people in the delegation chain between me and a legal assistant. Hearing directly that someone is awesome makes a strong impression on me.
I agree with all the comments regarding telling her and reminding her when she does a particularly good job. If you’re able to, possibly treat her to coffee/tea/morning beverage of choice occasionally and let her know you’re interested in her well-being and not just her staying with the firm. Simple gestures like that went a long way with me when I was in a similar position.
spa gift card
You can also probably find out what she likes from whomever she hangs out with in the firm, then buy her that for Xmas and give the gift with a detailed handwritten card.
Call her supervisor and let them know how good she is and that the firm is at risk of losing her.
Cash