Starting a new job in a law firm. What are the do's and dont's?

Question

You all may know me from past posts. I am currently working in a law firm and I am unhappy. I went on an interview today with another law firm and I am pretty confident I got the position. When you start a new job, what is expeted from you. I am a legal secretary and have some experience. Is it ok to make mistakes, the be scared because you are unfamiliar with their clients and so forth. What do employers expect from new employees and what kind of mistakes do they expect the employees to make. Also, how can I make the best of this I can and break myself in easily? This is a fresh start for me and I dont want to make some mistakes I've made in the past, like personal business at work. What are the do's and don'ts on a new job and what is expected from you and what do they expect......good and bad. This is a new start for me and im really excited and i want it to be the best experience ever! Any good advice?

Answer 1

I've worked as a Legal Secretary and a Legal Executive in a few different firms.  Don't worry about making mistakes as you settle in - every office has a different system and it can take a while to get used to it.  As you're unhappy in your current job, you're definitely doing the right thing by looking for something else.  I took a job with a fairly big law firm once, it seemed great but when I started there, my Boss was an absolute dragon, everybody was stressed all the time & once I saw one of the Senior Solicitors shouting at another Solicitor in the middle of the office floor! It was horrible - so after a couple of weeks I just got out of there.  I found another job with a smaller firm and I loved it (I've left that one now but for different reasons : )  )

When you start at a new job, just take your time getting to know the system.  Employers won't expect you to perform to your best standard when you're only learning about how things work in their office.  Nearly every office I worked in had a different dictation system and that takes a bit of getting used to.   Plus you have to figure out how your new boss likes things done and that really only comes from experience.  Some of them might want you to do your filing straight away & others might prefer if you carry on working on another file.  I worked for one guy who was happy for me to come into his office to file papers and folders while he was there & he would just chat to me for a bit.  While another Boss hated anyone filing stuff in his office while he was there so I had to get the receptionist to tell me when he was out so that I could creep in and do the filing.  So maybe could just ask things like that when he or she gives you a file to work on - but really, they can't expect you to be a mind reader - they have to tell you what way they want things done.

I really hope you get the job & I'll keep my fingers crossed for you for luck.  

Answer 2

1.  Don't talk down where you were. The legal community in any town, even one as large as New York or LA, is its own small town and it won't do you any good.  Besides, your new employers may wonder what you'll say about them down the road.

2.  Resist the urge to listen to or spread gossip -- and don't bring your personal life to work.

3.  Do remember that you have experience.  I don't know what country or state you're in, but I know that here in Ohio, motion practice (for instance) is motion practice, and mostly the differences are minor ones in format, etc.  Just take what you know and apply it to the new situation.  But don't say, "Well, we didn't do it THAT way ..." because every lawyer in the known universe is sure that their way of doing things is the absolute right way.  Just nod your head, smile and go along.

4.  If they told you anything in the interview about the software (billing, timekeeping, etc.) you'll be using and you've never seen it before, take a little time and Google it and see what you can learn in advance.  At least having seen it will help get rid of the first day butterflies a little.  If you're REALLY feeling ambitious (and you have a computer at home), maybe you could find a demo and download it, if you'd feel comfortable doing that.

God bless ... hope this new job comes through and you are happy.

Answer 3

Rule #1 - Don't assume or impose you know everything. Almost every attorney I've ever met has had a very strong (or dare I say "inflated") ego and has high expectations for the people who work under them, so be prepared to take LOTS of notes and to do things -their- way.

Rule #2 - As a new employee, do not begin a sentence with,

"when I worked at (fill in the blank), we...", unless you are specifically asked. Again, see Rule #1. Once you become accepted by the rest of the staff and the attorneys, you can begin to put in your two cents and make suggestions as to how to better serve the firm.

Rule #3 - Take every piece of advice from the people around you with a grain of salt and once again return to Rule #1. Do not engage in office gossip, because every firm has their own set of social dynamics. Some places are much more strict and professional than others, so until you are certain what the boundaries are, it's best to just keep your eyes and ears open, but your mouth shut.

Rule #4 - Always accept blame when you've made an error, but back it up with an acknowledgment of learning from it. Make a note of it, too! No one is perfect, and even if the people you work with/for really give you the business, don't take it personally. As you know, the legal profession is fast-paced, and stress and tension can make for very moody people. So, just cross your fingers you don't mess up too badly, and it will probably blow over. Whatever you do, just be sure you have your notes with you!

Rile #5 - Don't -EVER- step on the people around you to advance and don't burn bridges. One day, be it tomorrow or ten years down the road, you just might need those people's help, and if you screwed them over, believe me, they won't forget that.

Good luck to you!!!!