A recent ABA Journal E-report Answers of the Week” features organizational suggestions solicited from and submitted by its attorney readers. Among the predictable suggestions are things like ring binders (although no mention of the poor legal secretary who has to maintain dual files on every matter, folder and 3-ring), PDAs, keeping a clean desk, and — wow — using Outlook.
A little more interesting:
Keeping files in paper grocery bags. I bet secretaries are just lined up to work with that guy: “Yes, sir, I have the Pendant Publishing file right here. It’s the Safeway bag… Food Lion? That would be Art Vandalay.”
Lack of sleep (yes, lack). Apparently, thinking about cases 24/7 is more important than health or having a life. I’d be interested to see a follow-up with that lawyer in, say, 5 years. No, make that 1 year.
Knowing yourself. One of the keys to being an organized lawyer, and one many of them don’t grasp.
But the true gems? The lawyers who understand that their most valuable ally in the organizational odyssey isn’t software or hardware. And no, not even grocery bags!
Pay and treat your assistant well. Treating everyone with respect, including the people you supervise, should be the rule. However, a well-paid and respected assistant will correct almost any flaw in your organization system.
Christen Millard
Raymond, Ohio
It was my secretary—an extremely professional, reliable, bright woman—who could keep my schedule, balance my meetings, and correct any grammatical mistakes in my correspondence. I made the mistake of bragging about her in a firm meeting, and she was immediately taken away from me to work for an even more demanding senior partner. I have long since left the firm and gone solo, but I miss the helping hand. My new secret—sticky notes pasted on the center my computer screen. A little messy, but it at least gets my attention.
Name withheld by request
Los Angeles
Awww!
Leave a Comment