Introduction
An interview was conducted to obtain information about legal office management and recruitment practice in Las Vegas. The suitable respondent identified was Keisha Brown who works as a Legal Office Manager and Recruiter in a private law firm. The following is the interview.
The Interview
Student: Describe a typical day for a legal office manager and a recruiter at work, I mean what are your responsibilities and duties in your workplace?
Keisha Brown: A general description of my responsibilities is Management. But sincerely, the job is not all about managing and recruiting as the title suggests. You have to work out tasks on your own or with the legal practitioners who are under me. My duties and I think most legal firm managers do, include supervising or arranging for the filing of cases for our clients, general office management, monitoring of the firm’s filing and documentation system, screening the information to be given to clients about our services, and other professional issues, coordinating with other management staff in building the spirit of teamwork with a common vision of success for our firm. I attend conferences on legal matters on behalf of the firm. Many times, I have spoken at conferences on behalf of our firm. Back to the office, I go through all reports on legal proceedings when our clients are on trial. When we have new employees, I have recruited several either alone or with the assistance of some support staff. All general management duties are inclusive.
Student: Now to the entry point and the required preparation for this post.
Keisha Brown: Oh yes. The entry point is a bachelor’s degree in a field related to law, but it is proffered when it is Bachelor of Law. Coupled with this is at least a certificate in legal recruitment of personnel and a management course. You should have good passes in the management course. As is always the case in every other law firm, at least 5 years of law practice, two years in a top business management position, and a good history of management experience in the private sector are desirable. An added advantage is to those who have a master’s level of education in legal matters or in Business management. Experience in recruiting managing a diverse personnel environment is a true asset for this job.
Student: Any license required?
Keisha Brown: Oh Yes. Licensing is a requirement when establishing a new firm law. The policy is very clear on the issue of establishing a law firm. I am an employee in the firm. This means that I did not participate in the setup of the firm but the firm owner who is my boss fulfilled the requirement. We are legally established.
Student: Miss Brown, what are your working conditions?
Keisha Brown: As in?
Student: Working hours per day, the conditions, hazards, environment, and things of that sort?
Keisha Brown: The normal working day in a government setup is about eight hours. The story is completely different in the case of the private sector. I think the human resource department in our firm is embracing the scientific approach to human resources management. What they are doing is to ensure that everybody is productive to his capacity and ability. They have created incentives to motivate employees. Sincerely speaking, if a client calls the office telephone as late as 9, he or she should not be surprised to hear my response on the other end of the line. Usually, I am not alone at that time. I may have other four senior managers around. The environment is cool and conducive.
Student: Any hazards?
Keisha Brown: Let me say limited. It is limited to the use of computers which is not avoidable. One can spend a long time staring at the screen trying to analyze and determine the course a case should take. For the Management, the category under which I fall, we are slaves to the computers. All our records are on the computers. We work to beat deadlines and to satisfy our customers. Many times, I have complained about backache and eyesight problems. Am happy to say that our human resource department has bought anti-glare for the computer monitor screen and is implementing a medical allowance. I have learned that it shall be ready in a month’s time. The general workforce especially my deputy and secretary/ paralegal are friendly and it is a good experience to lead and work in that highly motivated team.
Student: Do I take that to mean you are comfortable with your working conditions
Keisha Brown: Am….yes. It is alright now that the little problem is being dealt with.
Student: Does your job has a future?
Keisha Brown: A bright one. With the experience I have, I am planning to accumulate enough money for my Doctorate level studies in Law. This means I shall have a great chance of landing myself either to a senior government appointment or I could start my own law firm when I have got enough capital or better pay from my current employer. Whatever the case, this means better pay and a better life for me and my family in the future.
Student: Is the law firm industry growing or it is the reverse?
Keisha Brown: It is on the expanse. Just as the rate of criminology and social need for legal services is on the rise.
Student: Would you be free to discuss your salary terms?
Keisha Brown: Oh no. Am not comfortable with that. It is not good because personally, I may not have a problem with it but it would be giving out information for people serving in the same capacity in a similar firm. What you should note is that they are paying us better than our counterparts in the government. The pay in Las Vegas is higher than the national average of 124,223 US dollars for the government sector annually. We a level higher.
Student: Quote a range, please.
Keisha Brown: Think of something between 134,000 to 176, 000 US dollars. Satisfied?
Student: At least I have an idea. And….. what is the kind of experience that is required for a person to fit in this position of a Legal Manager and a Recruiter?
Keisha Brown: A good test of checking whether you like being in the legal profession is by serving in the position of a Legal Manager. First, you have got to evaluate the kind of skills you have. I tell you, it is a position that requires one to have experience in duties requiring details because, in the first place, the job itself is kind of detail-oriented. If you do not have a passion for details, this is not the kind of job you should be looking for. You know, every court has very well set and clear rules regarding how documents should be presented, the way trials are run, about timelines among other things. The key task is to master all the finer details of each and every rule. You have to demonstrate the ability to be satisfied in the Manager’s position. If you are over-ambitious and you desire to become an attorney soon, this job is not designed for you. You will simply get frustrated which is too dangerous for your ambitions. However, serving competently in this position is a sufficient thing if you want to establish whether you can become an attorney one day in your life. You get more insight into key legal issues and how the attorneys handle them.
Student: What do you exactly mean?
Keisha Brown: A Legal firm manager and a recruiter is like a pre-stage to being an attorney It is being at the college level of education and you are determined to become a professor.
Student: Do you like your work?
Keisha Brown: Of course yes. I used to hate it initially. But the more I have spent in this firm, the more I am liking it. I am getting more knowledgeable every time we handle a given management challenge or when there are new skills we have to train the personnel. No unnecessary pressure. The going is smooth.
Student: How do you feel when you are a woman in this work?
Keisha Brown: I feel privileged. I network directly with some renowned attorneys in Las Vegas, Nevada. I have contributed to the success of the firm and I feel much honored to be appointed to that post. I interact with other private law firms which are managed mainly by men. They like the way I am competent.
Student: Do women get promotions?
Keisha Brown: There are few promotion chances in the firm given that the policies regarding welfare are very good, there is maximum employee retention. However, whenever a chance is available, merit is the basis. No gender-related bias. I got promoted from the position of assistant manager when my senior retired.
Student: What can you say are the abilities and general characteristics of the person required to work for this kind of job?
Keisha Brown: You have to be apt and conscious of whatever action you do. Basically, the entry point is a strong legal orientation to understand the way things are done in a law firm and in the court. You have to be analytical of the way people express themselves because the understanding of other people’s psychology is fundamental in this field. An ability to read the facial expressions of people under different circumstances. It is easy to tell a client who is innocent and who is guilty from the way he expresses reactions on his face. Excellent communication ability is basic in this job. You have to listen carefully to what a client says because it forms the basis of the contract between the firm and the client.
Student: What of personality traits?
Keisha Brown: You need have to be compassionate because, in this profession, you interact and deal with people of different social and economic backgrounds. The clients are people with legal problems and you have to show concern. However, you just have to empathize with the clients because it is true that they are in problems and are seeking your professional assistance, yet you have the responsibility to decide the necessary balance between what the clients’ needs are and what your business needs are.
Student: In your own opinion, do you see any reality factor, I mean things like time factor, age, a physical demand, money for education, children…things of that sort, that you think can hinder you from developing in this career?
Keisha Brown: When we talk about time, there is still time. I see like I still have a chance to advance my career. I am not going to disclose my age but let me say generally that I feel ready to take up any opportunity that may arise. As anybody else who is already in the service, the more you work, the more you feel you are supposed to perform better. I think there is a strong need to advance my profession so that I can serve better in my capacity or a higher post. This also creates room for being assigned more responsibility which will expand both my knowledge and my experience. Children are not a barrier at all. When you have decided to become a mother, you have little option but to sacrifice to suffice your career and your duties as a mum. I think a significant barrier is a finance. Developing my career may translate to things like further education. Since there is no institutional policy for staff capacity building through assisted fee payment, this is a major challenge to me.
Conclusion
Being a female legal firm manager and a recruiter can initially be a real challenge but as you get used, the job becomes more interesting. You get good exposure which can be a good asset in case you are planning to further your education in pursuit of a better mode of life and career development. This is because the reward for your work under this position is not very admirable despite requiring a degree as an entry point. It is a good starting point for young people who have future dreams in the field of law.