New York Lawyer
September 6, 2001

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After I answered a question recently from a partner who was reacting to a young associate�s refusal to work on a weekend, I got this enlightening follow-up from a legal secretary at a major law firm:

I had to put in my 2 cents' worth about your answer to the lawyer who complained about the young associate who wouldn't work over the weekend. First, even though I'm a secretary, I was surprised to see an associate tell a partner "no." I, too, was under the impression that the client's work pretty much comes first when you're getting paid in the six figures.

However, I applaud the person for actually saying �no.� I'm about 10 years older than the associate and I REALLY would love the luxury of saying �no� to my partner when my workload builds up (and it does), but I still fear losing my job if I do (Is that ridiculous? I've been here 2 years).

Consequently, I internalize a lot of anger when I feel he's abusing the privilege of working with me. I may have my day all planned out, but when he comes down the hall with some "emergency" (and believe me, he makes them up; I'm not the only one who feels this way), I sink in my chair. I've been a legal secretary for many years and I still haven't figured out how to cope with lawyers and their sometimes-asinine demands.

Moreover, the law firm lifestyle is not compatible with mine. I'm an early bird -- more lawyers than I can count are not. Consequently, their day begins at 3 pm when I've been here since 8 am. Believe me, I've thought of changing careers, but I need to pay my bills too. I and the rest of my colleagues have figured out how to be team players, but I can tell you from experience that some lawyers (including mine) never have and probably never will. I'm not here to wait on my partner hand and foot, but he thinks the opposite.

This response also spotlights the differences in lifestyle between some attorneys and members of a law firm�s staff. Staff members in law firms often have strong values of teamwork, caring and nurturing, whereas lawyers tend to be more independent and individualistic. This can result in clashes such as the ones noted above.

If a firm requires secretaries to observe certain working hours, but lawyers start later in the day, it can result in incongruent schedules that muddle the collective goals of the firm. Also keep in mind the vast difference in relative power between staff and lawyers. As the secretary points out here, it is much harder for a staff person to take a stand or differ on work hours and conditions than it is for a lawyer to do the same. That power should be exercised wisely and with consideration. Maybe that way, fewer staff people will �sink in their chairs� when their bosses stride down the hallways.

Sincerely,
Holly English
Principal Consultant, Values at Work