Professional Development

Passing below the radar can be easy to do when working in secretarial roles. People conducting their job perfectly might not receive the recognition that they deserve simply because everything is running smoothly and therefore they don’t draw attention to themselves. There are several things that you can do to make sure that your work doesn’t go unnoticed, and the New Year is the perfect time to start bringing attention to yourself. Make your resolution for 2015 to get yourself noticed at work and to make sure that you feel appreciated by your colleagues and bosses. 

Create personal relationships

As a Legal Secretary, you are sometimes called on to take the minutes in a meeting and afterwards transcribe them. The taking and transcribing of minutes is a very valuable skill once perfected. However, it can be daunting if you are inexperienced or lack confidence.

If this is you, then panic not – DeskDemon.com has compiled 15 top tips on the subject. 

1.    Take Diaries to Meetings

Always take your diary (and your manager’s if need be) to meetings so you can ensure that the next dates fixed are suitable.

2.    Be at the Meeting Room Early

Get to the meeting room before the others. Set out papers, glasses, water carafe, stationery, etc. in advance, and be sure to note who is present and who sent apologies for absence.

3.    Use Abbreviations and Symbols

Last month, an article appeared in our journal about how you can gain valuable paralegal skills to advance your career. AH Paralegal Training provide an excellent course which can help you do just that, and it is taught by our wonderful tutor Amanda Hamilton. The AH Paralegal Practical Skills Course can be taken as a four-day intensive training programme or as a distance-learning course.  

Some employers look for Paralegal Secretaries who not only can perform Legal Secretary/PA work but who also have extra paralegal skills that they can utilise. It is also common for Legal Secretaries to advance their careers by acquiring paralegal skills so they can take on more responsibilities.

AH Paralegal Training are offering a special concessionary rate to ILSPA Students or graduates as follows:

Setting continuing professional development goals is one way to ensure that your career keeps moving in a positive direction. Not only does CPD help you keep your skills honed and ready for the workplace, but it can also pave the way for advancement in your career and possibly even a transition to a new and exciting position. We encourage all Members of the Institute of Legal Secretaries and PAs to engage in continuing professional development so that they can get the most out of their careers.

Of course, CPD is most effective when you have a clear idea of what you hope to achieve. Setting continuing professional development goals is one way to accomplish this. By taking the time to develop and set goals, you not only define exactly what you wish to achieve but also map out a plan to accomplish it.

Professional Development

If you’re looking for a way to advance your skills and progress your career, you might consider taking one of our Single Subject Legal Advanced courses. These courses are designed for Students and Members who want to learn more about specific legal areas, enabling them to specialise in certain fields, gain new jobs, or earn promotions with a current employer. These courses are available for you to work on at your own pace, and you can start at any time of the year.

Course Level

Our advanced-level courses provide an in-depth understanding of specific areas of law, helping you not only master the subject but also gain paralegal skills that may help you advance your overall career. Upon passing an advanced-level course, you will receive a Diploma Certificate.

Course Subjects

Paralegals play an important part in the legal profession, helping Lawyers with cases, research and paperwork. While the Lawyer that a Paralegal works for is ultimately responsible for the work that is done, most Lawyers rely heavily on the services that Paralegals provide. Because paralegal work is so demanding, additional training can be useful in helping Paralegals develop new skills and advance their careers. Although there are a variety of options available to get this training, choosing the AH Paralegal Practical Skills Course can help existing Paralegals, and those wishing to become Paralegals, develop needed skills without undertaking months’ worth of study in addition to their regular work.

Who Is the Course Suitable For?

Legal Secretaries have to deal with a wide range of correspondence throughout the day. They not only interact with peers and colleagues on a daily basis, but also must effectively communicate with lawyers and other legal professionals regularly. This includes not only face-to-face communication, but also phone calls, email, written correspondence, and in some cases teleconferencing or other live video. Because of this, solid interpersonal and communication skills are a necessity when working in the legal field.

People Skills

A Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programme can be very beneficial for your career. By advancing your knowledge and skills, you can be confident that you are working at the top end of your profession. You will be competent in your role and enjoy a rewarding career.

CPD programmes can prove to be a useful tool when trying to understand your strengths and weaknesses within the workplace. You can focus on the specific areas that you need to work on, enabling you to improve your skills.

If you are prepared to put in the time and effort to be part of a CPD programme, you can reap many benefits.

Benefits of a CPD programme

A Document Management System (DMS) is a computer software package that records, tracks and stores electronic documents. The type and size of the system for each law firm can vary, but employees are always individually trained, based on the type of document management system that they are using. Then they can use the law firm’s in-house system with the knowledge that is required in handling such sensitive information that is dealt with in this type of profession.

Working as a Legal Secretary will often mean dealing with clients and customers. As is the case with any service industry, it is imperative to show these clients the highest level of customer service skills at all times, especially considering how handsomely they may be paying for their legal advice and support. Here is some advice to ensure that your customer service skills are always at their best.

Respect

Whatever your position within a legal firm, you should display the highest level of respect for your customers. Remember that they are paying your wages and they have choices elsewhere if your firm is failing to deliver. An open and empathetic attitude should be combined with a willingness to help.  You need to make every customer’s experience with your firm as pleasant and smooth as possible.