How does a legal secretary professionally handle "belittling' and difficult attorneys?

Question

recently started working in a small law firm. I graduated college a few years ago w/a legal secretarial degree and paralegal certificate. finally landed my 'dream job' i am having a difficult time dealing with the attorneys. h**l give me work and wont wont explain what he wants me to do. ill ask him and h**l tell me to figure it out myself and when i try and its wrong, h**l get very upset. also, for the most part, the work is pretty simple and everyone in the office, not only the attorneys make something simple a big deal, like screening telephone calls. everyone is always in my business and if someone asks ME a question, one of my coworkers will answer it for me. for the most part everything is pretty simple and everyone makes a big deal out of everything and puts unessesary pressure on me and even themseves. how do i deal with attorneys and legal professionals.i want to continue this b/c there is a lot of money in it but they are ALL making it very hard on me. im trying my best and what all they do is insult me. another thing, everyone wears jeans and i come into work with a suit almost every day. i think they are unprofessional. i previously worked for a vice president of a company and she was nothing but nice to me and always told me how professional i am and what a great job i was doing. i never had a problem with previous bosses. whats their problem. this is completely knocking my self esteem and confidence. please help.

Answer 1

First thing, adapt to your surroundings.  If everyone is dressing casually, dress casually.  It's not your place to judge whether they are professional or not.  It's how they do the job, not how they look that counts.  Don't think that your attitude doesn't show, it does and it's not in your favor.

Once you loosen up, turn to your fellow clerical workers to ask your questions.  Don't bother the lawyers.  You were hired because they felt you could do the job - if you can't you won't last.

Lawyers have a strange sense of humor and we tend to like people who can give back as good as we can dish out - within bounds.  Watch and listen to how your fellow workers handle the lawyers.  Follow their lead.

Frankly, you don't sound like you're cut out for the rough and tumble of a law firm.

Answer 2

OMG I know this office well.  I once worked for the District Attorney and had the same kind of treatment.  I was told that I was "too technically precise".  I asked how it was possible to be "too accurate" and was simply laughed at.  I ended up telling the DA in a a passing remark that he was an overgrown adolescent and I fully expected to be fired.  I wasn't, because this is the kind he was comfortable with.  Smart remarks, shoddy work and inappropriate behavior made them feel at home.

Attorneys and legal offices are often a far cry from the rest of the business world and like any group that is dysfunctional, they need to draw you in.  Until they have done that and you become as weird as they are, they will continue.  Start looking for a more professional setting.  You found this job and you will find another.  In the mean time give up on making it the professional setting you need.  That is not going to happen.