I support a newer attorney & I have many years of experience in our area of law. I log out at 4:30pm everyday. Sometimes he or the people that are helping him will send me an “urgent” task that needs to be completed by eod at 2pm or later. Alot of the time not everything is included in the email or a document/s may be missing. By the time we have everything situated, it may be 5 mins before I need to log out. Is it on me to get it filed and work past my time? This has happened many times!

like
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

It's on you if your firm expects you to do it.

like

I agree with P1… it’s on you.… this is just the nature of working at firms to some extent. But you can also try to work with the team to see if you all can better communicate with each other to get things delegated timely because you still deserve your work life balance.

like

But girlfriend that is your job. No attorney ever gives a secretary or paralegal a finished product without another set of eyes has reviewed it. Is that written in your firm's operating manual? Seems like broken communication. I maybe wrong but we hire legal secretaries and junior paralegals for this itspart of the job.

Do you feel like they are starting to get better with any of it? Newer means figuring out a lot, and while it’s not fair that it falls to you constantly to pick it up, I would hope they start to improve with gentle reminders.

like

It’s on the attorney to tell you ahead of time and prepare you for the day. Also depends on your office policy. If your firm values its attorneys’ last minute work more than your time then you are SOL. Some firms want to avoid last minute stuff and get those filings to their assistants before noon. Some don’t care. 😂😂😂

like

It's on you. I expect that you have access to this attorney's calendar, being that you support them. The deadline is not a surprise. All other non-calendared deadlines that are urgent, come up in any kind of business, that all professionals have to navigate.

like

I understand the pain. I have worked with newer attorneys and sometimes they don’t know what they don’t know simply because they have never done such tasks before. Is it possible to ask to be looped into the workflow ahead of time so you know what’s coming down the pipeline? That way you can “preview” the doc being filed and can chime in with any issues ahead of time.

It goes with the territory pal, sad to say. However, if you have little ones to pick up and run late those fees run up it use to $1 a minute. You need to have a conversation with him and your boss. What I do for my people is pick up where they left off so they can leave and file the document and attachments for them. Then I'll be having a conversation with Old boy cause I don't play. No work should be dumped late unless it's a reason. I'd pay attention to the repeated behavior and have a chat with the partner he his working for who is there past 5pm.

It is on you. 4:30 is typically earlier than most attorneys leave the office, so there are undoubtedly still things they may need from you and it is on you to make sure you can complete requested tasks by their deadline, when they need it. You may try asking “do you want me to stay and work overtime to complete this or can it wait until tomorrow?” Sometimes they rethink it when they understand it would be OT.

Related Posts

are you satisfied with your job? why?

like

Writing cover letters and applying to jobs through EY computer. Cause I have dolls of steel

like

I’m trying to get my parents into adopting healthier eating habits but nothing is really sticking. Do you have any recommendations or like books I can give them to teach them what’s actually good to eat vs. falling for good marketing/ fads?

like

Hi Guys,

I have 11YOE overall. I am doing a CSM & PM(PMP) role for past 4Y

CCTC - 11LPA
Already got an offer of 15LPA

Atteending further more interview
How much should I quote as my ECTC ?
Pls hlp

Thanks!

like

Can anyone refer me in product based company? Management consultant roles

like

What is NatWest markets gurgaon Vice president (C9 Software engineer) make and what is bonus payouts ?

like

Does anyone have any travel agency who books visa stamping for H1B
Or anyone ha successful completed stamping
Any help on this area

Anybody lives in New York/ Brooklyn, and has an idea of nursing home called king David nursing home rehabilitation center, I was offered a respiratory therapist job and the only thing I’ll do is assessment

like

I will be joining as M in ZS soon. What goodies can I expect on day1? :D

like

Any trust and estate attorney openings in Texas?

like

How do you handle it when a direct report reacts negatively during a performance review?

like

Has anyone built an emergent learning group in your consultancy or company that focuses on reflection, feedback, problems of practice... But amongst designers staffed on different projects/clients? How did you structure it? How did you maintain it?

like

Should I apply for Account Manager LCS or Product Marketing Manager role? Which will give me better career opportunities and progress? Which job is more prestigious within Google?

like

For those who have been driving the daily thread posts (senior tax accountant / KPMG / etc) please DM me if interested in becoming a community leader for this bowl. I’ll put you in touch with Sam from Fishbowl. Thanks!

likeuplifting

Uh this could get bad fast if this holds through open. Protect your downside if not already.

like

PARTNERS: two questions —1. If you see an associate has really low hours for the month, do you imagine them chillen on a beach somewhere or do you consider they probably spent most of their days sitting in front of the computer being “available”? 2. If you send an associate a random e-mail on a weekend like “Can you pull X and send to Y”, would you get annoyed if they responded saying they weren’t by a comp or would you consider it reasonable that they wouldn’t be by a comp on a weekend?

like

Dumb question: If a firm wants to run a conflicts, do you just type up a list or do you request from current firm?

like

Taking the CIPM soon. Is reading the textbook enough?

like

Help: I’m a senior IT consultant looking to grow my career in Gov cloud. Have years of experience serving civilian federal agencies (public trust). I have my AWS solutions architect associate cert. I desire to have an opportunity doing cloud at AWS in civilian/federal space. Looking for a way to receive internal referral and Would love to connect with anyone from that space who can help in that regard. 🙏🏼 with 2020, I realized “carpe diem” and want to pursue this w/o regrets. Can send my resume!

like

Additional Posts in Paralegals

What were some effective tips or resources that helped you to learn the systems of your first firm? We feel like our firm admin/paralegal is not getting acclimated and not assisting the firm as we hoped. So we want to make sure we’re effectively training her and providing the best resources/tools for success.

like

Has anyone felt guilty when there is a slow day? What is the least billable hour you had in a day?

like

Currently a paralegal at a small start up financial services company been there for just a little over a year. I wear “multiple hats” but more recently I’ve done a lot of PM work and some BA work. My position title is changing soon but I’m wondering how helpful that would be for wanting to go into PM work at a tech company. Anyone have any career pivot advice? (Also I’m only 1.5yrs old in my career so I’m definitely still new, and I have previous experience as a project assistant).

like

When you walk in Friday morning to a dumpster fire of a file (that you’ve never worked on before) sitting on your desk, with no note or email to go with it. It’s as if I’m supposed to magically divine what to do with it. 🤦🏼‍♀️

like

I hate due diligence requests. Every time my email notification pings I want to cry. I’m already going as fast as I can.

like

Any struggling paralegals here? Do you feel like your financial situation is affecting your productivity at work? I like the work I do but the pay really sucks. I feel like the fear of not being able to pay some bills on time is affecting my productivity. I’ve asked for a raise but that may not still cut it, and idk if that will go through or not.

like

I am preparing for my first trial! Very nervous but excited. All tips and suggestions welcomed please!

like

Hey, does anyone work for Jacobowitz Newman Tversky? Would love to know more about the office and culture .

I’ve been a paralegal for about 30 years in private law firmS. As I get older, I feel like it’s time for a semi-career change. Either an office manager position or perhaps a corporate position where I can travel a little since my kids are grown and I’m an empty-nester. Has anyone made this type of transition? Advise welcome. TIA

like

I am a paralegal interested in making the jump from litigation to Worker's Compensation. I don't have recent experience in WC but recall it was a lot of form work. Any Worker's Compensation experts here that can offer an opinion (is it a heavy lift) and run me thru some of your daily activities? I am in New Jersey. Thanks!

How much do part time, experienced paralegals in Pennsylvania make?

like

Do small law firms have paralegal managers?

like

Hi all! I recently made a change from HR to legal. I am now a paralegal II - Immigration specialist making 65-70k hourly base for a fortune 100 company. My office is situated in Missouri. Was this a good offer?

like

I have my first case review I am kind of nervous about it, wish me luck. I am not scared, I am just nervous about it.

like

I’m getting messages from recruiters for Sr. Corporate Paralegal roles but all of my experience is in litigation. I have 6 years experience as a paralegal. Should I move forward with this? Not sure if I’m qualified.

like

How do you know when it is time to move on. I am the only litigation paralegal billing over 2,500 a year consistently. Love the boss I work the most for but that person has grown distant. Staff reviews were supposed to be complete this week and no one has mentioned mine. Underpaid by about $30k per market value. Torn and confused.

like

I’m interviewing with another firm next week. Has anyone made a switch like that before? How did you do it? I work in a small criminal firm now. Interview is with a same size/practice area firm.

Hello, Everyone!

I hope you are doing well! What are some other websites where I can find legal job opportunities? I have tried using Robert Half, Adams and Martin, and Indeed, but I have had no luck in finding legal job opportunities.

Thank you so much in advance!

like

I write economic loss reports. Am I allowed to give a redacted sample of my written economic appraisals to a recruiter? If so, what specifically should I redact.

like

Paralegals: My firm is looking for a paralegal, and I see the job posting advertising the salary as $65-$75k, with benefits. Is this a good salary for a paralegal (Greater LA area)? I’m not the decision maker, but it’s been a few weeks with very few applicants. I’m curious if there’s something hurting the firm in its search.

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal