5 Challenges To Being A Good Legal Assistant
Being a legal assistant is not an easy task. Any supportive role, for that matter, comes with its pros and cons. Being a legal assistant is rewarding in its own aspect but there are some things to be aware of in this role. In this blog we will be discussing 5 essential challenges you may face while learning to thrive in the world of law.
1. Thrown to the Wolves
Many aspects of law operate in a fast paced environment. This can be beneficial in many areas but not always when you are first starting out. Many attorneys and law firms look for someone who can come into their work space and "hit the ground running." Many companies are looking for someone who can adapt fast and learn on the go which can be a beneficial attitude to have. Unfortunately, majority of employees need the time and patience to learn their roles, expectations, office flow and skills needed to complete their day-to-day tasks and be an asset to the company. This challenge is something that could be useful to know up-front before engaging in work as an employee.
2. Knowledge Deficit
Being trained as a legal assistant or even getting a certificate as a legal assistant can be done under a broad spectrum. Unless you are clear on what area of law you'd like to work in, it can be hard to prepare yourself for any law firm that is open to hiring. Lacking the knowledge of the area of law you are going into can be a set back but awareness is key. Once you are conscious of the direction you are headed in the easier it will be to prepare yourself. It may also play in your favor to ask your future employer tips on how to prepare for the role. They may give you case law to study, suggestion on articles to read, youtube videos to watch or even some podcasts to listen to to better prepare for the role ahead.
3. Obscene Work Hours
It is a well-known observation that many lawyers work for different work hours on any given day. It is essential to note that this sometimes comes with the job and how the lawyer in question operates. These extended hours are something that would be beneficial to know upfront. A 2021 Legal Trend study showed that professionals who were less organized and worked longer hours were prone to make more than 50% of mistakes. Working long hours can be a challenge despite the type of employment but this can be a boundary you set with your employer if it is something you are uncomfortable with.
4. Lack of Appreciation
Being a legal assistant can be a very demanding job. It can also be very rewarding but in many cases it is an essential role. Many times, in almost every profession, certain roles, tasks, and responsibilities go without acknowledgment and appreciation. Every position in any company is important. Every duty is necessary to make the office function accordingly. Your role as a legal assistant may go unappreciated but it is in those times to give yourself a pat on the back and admit to a job well-done!
5. Clear Communication
Having excellent communication skills is vital, especially when working in a law firm. It has been our experience that a lot goes unmentioned but is still expected. We love this quote by Nat Turner: "Good communication is the bridge between confusion and clarity." This quote has solved a ton of problems for our operations and allowed us to get Infront of things that could've caused problems down the road if they were not discussed properly. Clear communication is needed to know expectations, directions of tasks or duties, the overall goal for each case, the timeline of any matter and even what is needed to complete the workday. Many and most problems can be solved with effective and clear communication. We would like to challenge you to know and be aware of the ways you can better your communication and establish that requirement for others who you speak with.
There are many challenges that come with being a legal assistant. Some take more time to complete than others but we can guarantee you that working to overcome these hardships will make you a better legal assistant. We hope these 5 challenges will give you some direction on how to push yourself forward in the legal world and if you would like to see more challenges discussed here please feel free to leave a comment below!
