Title: LEGAL OFFICE
Post by: happybunny on September 18, 2002, 12:38:40 pm
Hi guys. I just learnt today that I've got a new job! Yeah!! I will be a legal secretary. Now, not only am I nervous about starting a new job, but I have NEVER done legal work before.
I would love to hear any ideas/hints/tips from others working in the legal profession on how to be a good legal secretary.
My local college offers two legal secretarial courses, but I am too late to enrol on them for this term.
Any info offered would be much appreciated.
TIA
Happybunny :0)))
I would love to hear any ideas/hints/tips from others working in the legal profession on how to be a good legal secretary.
My local college offers two legal secretarial courses, but I am too late to enrol on them for this term.
Any info offered would be much appreciated.
TIA
Happybunny :0)))
Title: Re: LEGAL OFFICE
Post by: jewels6567 on September 18, 2002, 02:45:35 pm
I don't have any advice because I've never worked as a legal secretary, however, I just wanted to say congratulations on your new job!
Julie
Julie
Title: Re: LEGAL OFFICE
Post by: ControlledChaos on September 18, 2002, 03:49:03 pm
Congratulations on your new job. I don't have any advice on legal work to offer as I haven't worked in the legal profession but I'm sure you will be a great legal secretary.
Val
Val
Title: Re: LEGAL OFFICE
Post by: lems on September 18, 2002, 04:45:47 pm
Happybunny
I've been a legal secretary for more years than I care to remember, I've worked in many different law firms from small country practices to one of the largest in London - so I suppose I'm your gal - what area of law are you working in and which town/city - when I have a better idea of the type of law practice then I can probably guide you!!
Regards.
Lemmie
I've been a legal secretary for more years than I care to remember, I've worked in many different law firms from small country practices to one of the largest in London - so I suppose I'm your gal - what area of law are you working in and which town/city - when I have a better idea of the type of law practice then I can probably guide you!!
Regards.
Lemmie
Title: Re: LEGAL OFFICE
Post by: countrigal on September 18, 2002, 05:52:39 pm
Just wanted to congratulate you on your new job. Way to go, and I'm sure you'll do AWESOME!
CountriGal
Deskdemon Editorial Board Member
CountriGal
Deskdemon Editorial Board Member
Title: Re: LEGAL OFFICE
Post by: debgephart on September 18, 2002, 06:55:51 pm
Congratulations on your new position. You'll be great!
Title: Re: LEGAL OFFICE
Post by: happybunny on September 20, 2002, 10:57:42 am
Hi Lemmie
Thanks for your reply.
I am starting off in residential - which I think is conveyancing in legal terms?!
I will be working in Edinburgh for a big firm called Archibald Campbell & Harley WS.
Best wishes
Happybunny
Thanks for your reply.
I am starting off in residential - which I think is conveyancing in legal terms?!
I will be working in Edinburgh for a big firm called Archibald Campbell & Harley WS.
Best wishes
Happybunny
Title: Re: LEGAL OFFICE
Post by: happybunny on September 20, 2002, 10:59:38 am
Thank you!
Will keep you all posted on how I get on - 3 weeks to go, yay!!!
Happybunny :0)
Will keep you all posted on how I get on - 3 weeks to go, yay!!!
Happybunny :0)
Title: Re: LEGAL OFFICE
Post by: happybunny on September 20, 2002, 11:01:05 am
Thanks Julie.
I'm nervous about it but really excited at the same time =0)
Will be good to work for a woman again after all these years of working 4 men only!
Happybunny :0))
I'm nervous about it but really excited at the same time =0)
Will be good to work for a woman again after all these years of working 4 men only!
Happybunny :0))
Title: Re: LEGAL OFFICE
Post by: happybunny on September 20, 2002, 11:02:23 am
Hi Val.
Thanks 4 ur post. Will keep you all updated. 3 wks to go and counting!
Best wishes
Happybunny =0)
Thanks 4 ur post. Will keep you all updated. 3 wks to go and counting!
Best wishes
Happybunny =0)
Title: Re: LEGAL OFFICE
Post by: happybunny on September 20, 2002, 11:04:43 am
Thank you!
Wish I had ur confidence in my abilities - LOL!
Will let u know how it goes - when i told my boss here that I was leaving to be a legal secretary - he said that he thought my typing skills were good, but didn't have much faith in my secretarial abilities - honestly! Is it any wonder that I wanted a new job! LoL
Happy Happybunny =0)
Wish I had ur confidence in my abilities - LOL!
Will let u know how it goes - when i told my boss here that I was leaving to be a legal secretary - he said that he thought my typing skills were good, but didn't have much faith in my secretarial abilities - honestly! Is it any wonder that I wanted a new job! LoL
Happy Happybunny =0)
Title: Re: LEGAL OFFICE
Post by: happybunny on September 20, 2002, 11:08:48 am
Thanks for ur reply!
I'm excited about moving but as I said a bit apprehensive as i've never worked in legal b4. I met my new boss Lisa and we just "clicked"! Interview only lasted 15 minutes =0)) Will let you know how it goes.
Happybunny =-)
I'm excited about moving but as I said a bit apprehensive as i've never worked in legal b4. I met my new boss Lisa and we just "clicked"! Interview only lasted 15 minutes =0)) Will let you know how it goes.
Happybunny =-)
Title: Re: LEGAL OFFICE
Post by: Jackie G on September 20, 2002, 08:49:15 pm
Happy
ACH is my solicitors and one of the partners' wives is also a client of mine! Small world!
Jackie
www.iqps.org
DeskDemon Forum Board Staff
ACH is my solicitors and one of the partners' wives is also a client of mine! Small world!
Jackie www.iqps.org
DeskDemon Forum Board Staff
Title: Re: LEGAL OFFICE
Post by: happybunny on September 23, 2002, 08:54:16 am
Jackie, do you work for ACH? You're right, it is a small world =0)
I have my official start date now - 14 October - not long to go.
Happybunny :0)
I have my official start date now - 14 October - not long to go.
Happybunny :0)
Title: Re: LEGAL OFFICE
Post by: Jackie G on September 23, 2002, 11:14:27 pm
No Happy, I'm self employed, My lawyer is with AC&H
Jackie
www.iqps.org
DeskDemon Forum Board Staff
Jackie www.iqps.org
DeskDemon Forum Board Staff
Title: Re: LEGAL OFFICE
Post by: JessW on September 25, 2002, 12:43:42 pm
Well done you! Having done exactly what you are/have done I know exactly how daunting this may seem. Just remember secretarial work is ecretarial work is secretarial work - it only really varies with layout, vocabulary and deadlines.
To give you a good grasp of the basics I would suggest you get yourself trained as a paralegal (glorified legal secretary who may sometimes have some pretty exciting stuff to do in court / police stations to name but a few and depending upon what area of the law you are doing).
The rewards will be great but also the boredom factor is a possibility.
If you want, later on, to do an official legal secretarial training course then at least get some experience under your belt (paralegal) so you know if it is what you want to do or not.
Good luck
enjoy
maybe see you around some time?
To give you a good grasp of the basics I would suggest you get yourself trained as a paralegal (glorified legal secretary who may sometimes have some pretty exciting stuff to do in court / police stations to name but a few and depending upon what area of the law you are doing).
The rewards will be great but also the boredom factor is a possibility.
If you want, later on, to do an official legal secretarial training course then at least get some experience under your belt (paralegal) so you know if it is what you want to do or not.
Good luck
enjoy
maybe see you around some time?
Title: Re: LEGAL OFFICE
Post by: bethalize on September 25, 2002, 05:50:42 pm
Rah for you, Happybunny! As long as you write stuff down when people tell it to you so you don't have to ask twice (which you'd do anyway) you'll be great! People like to tell you everything three times when you start a new job ("This is the chair, it has wheels and you sit on it..."). I always claim that if I don't know it now, I''ll learn it so fast you won't notice the difference.
Bethalize
Deskdemon Forum Board Staff
Bethalize
Deskdemon Forum Board Staff
Title: Re: LEGAL OFFICE
Post by: happybunny on September 27, 2002, 08:58:55 am
ROFL!!!
I will go in armed with my notepad (might even remember to take a pen)! My present boss complained that I don't ask enough questions, so will aim to do so at my new place!. I've got 8 working days left where I am and I am sooo looking 4ward to leaving - no one at my work has even mentioned that I'm going or said well done or anything!? It's a strange office i'm in at present - i've met my new boss and she's lovely =0)) Hopefully will have a much happier time there. Thanks for responding and making me giggle!
HB :0)
I will go in armed with my notepad (might even remember to take a pen)! My present boss complained that I don't ask enough questions, so will aim to do so at my new place!. I've got 8 working days left where I am and I am sooo looking 4ward to leaving - no one at my work has even mentioned that I'm going or said well done or anything!? It's a strange office i'm in at present - i've met my new boss and she's lovely =0)) Hopefully will have a much happier time there. Thanks for responding and making me giggle!
HB :0)
Title: Re: LEGAL OFFICE
Post by: happybunny on September 27, 2002, 09:03:46 am
Becoming a paralegal was mentioned at my interview. Once i've proved myself in my job then if I want the firm will pay me to train as a para! Also, after 3 months (my trial period) my salary will get reviewed! I love this company already!!! Less people to be secretary to than I have at present and much better pay and conditions, a chance to progress, pension scheme, more holidays..... I could go on but you get the idea =0)) Would love to be a para, but I'll wait and see if I actually enjoy the work first!
Is it paralegal work that ur doing now? Sorry 2 b nosey!
Thanks for taking time to reply 2 me.
HB :0)
Is it paralegal work that ur doing now? Sorry 2 b nosey!
Thanks for taking time to reply 2 me.
HB :0)
Title: Re: LEGAL OFFICE
Post by: JessW on October 01, 2002, 04:30:44 pm
Happybunny
The answer to your question is (not too nosey and) yes/no/maybe/I don't get paid to do/get this sort of crap - but it is usually great fun.
I was even, at one time, also acting as PA to the MD of a Management Consultancy firm (no extra money though).
Do do the paralegal course from A H Paralegal as it only costs £150 (last year's price)
The answer to your question is (not too nosey and) yes/no/maybe/I don't get paid to do/get this sort of crap - but it is usually great fun.
I was even, at one time, also acting as PA to the MD of a Management Consultancy firm (no extra money though).
Do do the paralegal course from A H Paralegal as it only costs £150 (last year's price)