My firm has a really toxic environment. I’m a young associate and still learning. The paralegals I work with are constantly making mistakes and/or refusing to learn how to do things. Their work product is not good and I cannot trust what they provide; I end up making my own edits. After I have meetings to address these problems, the paralegals will go “chit chat” behind closed doors. Some serious mean girl crap happening. Anyone else encounter this or have any advice??

Yes... I just try to be very nice and always say good work good job etc in emails. But have learned that I have to read EVERYTHING that is sent to me and 99% of the time make edits and it is what it is.... hopefully the place you work is either just for another year or so, or you can get an older more experienced paralegal who knows what they are doing.

Same as above - I think you keep your head down and get through it. I came from a firm with very young Paras who weren't great and didn't like to be corrected, particularly by me, since I was their age or just barely older. I tried to correct nicely. Tried to get the higher ups to support. Neither worked, and I just did the corrections myself until I eventually moved to another firm with more experienced Paras. On my way out, I (cordially) told the higher ups that a big part of my decision to leave was their refusal to help improve the support staff. I hear they've stepped up, but I'm not there to see it

I’m experiencing similar issues. I was a paralegal before law school at a very small firm and some of the partners were extremely critical of my work. It was a steep learning curve but I took it in stride and got better. Eventually, when I decided to apply to law school, I was given wonderful letters of recommendation by two of the most critical partners. I took satisfaction in the fact that I had improved so much that they were willing to personally advocate on my behalf. I went to school, graduated and took a position with a different firm (for a myriad of other reasons, not relevant here). Since starting, my assistant, who is probably 15 years older, and just as new, refuses to listen to any constructive criticism. I am extremely sensitive in my approach because I was a support staff for so long. Unfortunately, it’s in one ear and out the other. Her attitude is poor and she spends more time looking to get out of her tasks than working. I brought this to the attention of my supervising partner and was told I need to learn how to train support staff. I’ve never run into this issue before, however it’s consuming a lot of my time and energy. I also cannot bill for most of the time I need to spend correcting her sloppy work. I’m sorry I can’t offer any constructive feedback but I want you to know, you’re not alone!

I got partner support for problems like these and eventually the paralegal who was instigating this was fired. Don’t hesitate to ask for help. I’m much happier.

Thank you all for the advice. I am definitely feeling I won’t last at this firm bc of these issues. The partner is aware of this but has not addressed it. I hate to be the one that point this out since I’m so new, but it’s starting to affect my ability to effectively represent my clients. I will definitely take your suggestions and start implementing them so I can hopefully get some traction.

Agree A1 as well. If you don’t get good response from the paralegal supervisor document some of the issues, ask to be included in reviews if you are not already, or ask who is their reviewer and talk to them. Such a pain I know, but the alternative is staff you can’t work with. If no improvement ask not to work with people who keep making mistakes and/or request to work with someone who has done well for you. Once you find someone you have a good working relationship with 1) make a point to thank them for their good work, and 2) go out of your way to give good reviews and feedback to the manager/supervisor. If you aren’t their assigned reviewer just send an email or two to their supervisor.

All great advice ^

This happened to me this year, and it shook me because the paralegal accused me of being racist when I spoke to management about the issues I had with her work. Luckily, I was not the first complaint (or the first accusation of racism) so the firm took her off my cases.

I’d suggest finding a paralegal that wants to go to law school - they are short for the legal world, but you can provide feedback and they usually have incentive to learn (they need to keep their relationship with the firm up). Just be sure to explain the “why” behind your changes so they are getting an intro into being an attorney. Good luck!

Yes I have encountered this. I would actively begin considering then looking for your next career opportunity. Cultural change starts at the top with leadership. is usually comprised of great attorneys who do not know squat about managing people. Good luck!