Conflict or performance issues should be handled early and directly. Direct communication can help to promote a good relationship between attorneys and staff. Document any problems and if they remain unresolved, contact the staff member's supervisor. Learn and Follow Administrative Procedures. Following administrative procedures is a matter of courtesy and promotes efficiency.
Many attorneys enter law practice having no experience with delegating work to other people.
Producing a legal product requires the efforts of many in addition to the lawyers, including secretaries, word processors, paralegals, mailroom staff, and many other non-attorney personnel. An attorney may need to coordinate the activities of all of these diverse individuals on a single project. To do so effectively requires identifying the people who can help, properly communicating information about the assignment, and following up. These are important management skills that junior lawyers have early opportunities to practice and hone. Here are some tips for communicating with support staff that can help junior attorneys develop solid supervisory skills, resulting in high-quality work product and productive relationships with support staff.