Most of the complaints paralegals have about attorneys boil down to incomplete, untimely or even a complete absence of communication. We need more information than is typically given. Here's a few of my favorites:
"Send me that document in that case." - Oldie but goodie that most of us have surely encountered. Why yes, I have cases, all of them with many documents. I'll just send you everything in all the cases to be safe.
"This needs to be done soon." - Measured in geologic time or nanoseconds? Give deadlines, not something as vague and easily misunderstood as "soon".
Incomplete instructions - If you want something folded, spindled and mutilated, say so. Don't just tell me to fold and then get upset that spindle and mutilate weren't done.
"Thank You." I know we're here to do your bidding, and we get paid for it, but a little kindness can go a long way towards us not putting rat poison in your coffee. If I can at least keep up the delusion that you appreciate my efforts, it makes the day suck marginally less.
Timing - tell us about a task that needs done as soon as you are aware that it needs doing. If you know at 10 that a filing has to be done by 4, don't wait until 3:55 to say something.
4 comments:
Amen! Timing is one of my biggest complaints. Don't let a stack of documents sit on your desk for a week and then tell me about them the day before you need them organized, copied and summarized.
Also, prioritization. When I ask about the priority of several different projects, don't just look at me blankly and tell me it ALL needs to be done. I know that, jackass, but I only have 2 hands & 1 brain. And sadly, no cloning machine.
You have captured it perfectly. :)
Beautiful. I will have this cross-stitched and framed for the attorneys in my life :)
I think momalegal said it best "I know that, jackass, but I only have 2 hands, 1 brain and sadly, no cloning machine." Couldn't have said it better myself!
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