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PROFESSIONALISM IN THE LAW OFFICE

It has been my experience over the many years of my career that when asked
what is important to professionals in the law office, the answer is “Professionalism”.
Everyone wants it, and only a minority know exactly what it is, and what it takes to
achieve.

Edward B. Toupin, a writer and coach defines professionalism as follows: “… a focused, accountable, confident, competent, motivation toward a particular goal, with respect for hierarchy and humanity, less the emotions.” Mr. Toupin’s definition instructs us to leave out the outbursts and emotional thralls that accompany stressful situations and success, to maintain focus with a sense of urgency, and accept responsibility on a path toward a specific goal. These instructions are necessary while all the time maintaining respect for our superiors, peers, and subordinates. Attorneys live and die by the Professional Code of Ethics that the courts have promulgated, and paralegals adhere to those sections of the Code that apply to them. But there is more to professionalism in the business of practicing law, and it means working up to particular business and personal standards.

Some suggestions for achieving professionalism in the law office are as follows:

Learn every aspect of your job.

Take your job seriously. If you need continuing education, get it.

Professionals are in a position in determining the appropriate approach to the
clients. Become an expert in your particular area of law.

Be able to work independently, maintaining a good level of billable hours.

Be punctual and have a clean and organized work space.

Handle your work without complaining. Learn how to handle anger.

Criticizing and complaining are the worst things you can do.

Be focused and clear-headed. Be approachable.

Never let a mistake slide. Own up to mistakes and correct them.

Jump into difficult projects and be persistent in producing quality work.

Always maintain autonomy in your work.

Complete your projects as soon as possible. Remember, everything you do has either a statute of limitation or time limit pursuant to a court rule attached to it.

Be level-headed and optimistic. Be enthusiastic, cheerful, interested and content. Always consider yourself a professional. Take pride in the quality of your work.

Always produce more than is expected of you even if it means getting into the office early or leaving late.

Use your professional abilities to provide valuable services to society and work with little or no self-interest. Dedicate yourself to services.

Always display competency, honor and integrity in your work and professional relationships. Be able to juggle many responsibilities.

Be involved in all aspects of your profession. Join associations and organizations that promote your profession.

Be familiar with the office culture of your firm or place of employment, and be familiar with it’s mission statement.

Consider yourself part of a group with a common goal, not just one person doing a particular job. Make the effort to establish and maintain good communication with the people around you and stay in the information loop.

Leave your personal life at home. Show that you identify with the demands and issues of your firm or place of employment. Keep your conversations within the boundaries of the firm as much as possible. Cultivate privacy about your own domestic issues and be very selective about what you reveal to co-workers.

When you are speaking to someone, whether it’s your supervising attorney, a co-worker, or a client, make eye contact. Smile and acknowledge people when you first see them. When people talk to you, look at them and genuinely give them your attention. Respond to people with a nod, an answer, a confirmation, or whatever is appropriate. USE PROPER DICTION AND GRAMMAR! Watch for common language mistakes such as:

Filler words such as “um”, “ah”, “you know” “OK” or “like”. These make you sound unprepared.

A singsong or rising inflection at the end of every sentence. This creates a tentative impression and makes it sound as though you’re asking a question instead of making a definitive statement. Speak with conviction.

Expressions such as “ain’t”, “she don’t, and “so I go”. These are never appropriate. Do not say “me and my friend”, or “my sister and me”. Learn the proper grammatical rule to “me” and “I”.

Slurring words together or dropping their endings impairs the clarity of your message.

Speed talking. This is difficult to follow and you will be seen as being nervous.

Weak speak: Wimpy words such as “hopefully”, “perhaps”, “I feel”, “kind of”, and “sort of” come off as you having a lack of confidence. Use power words such as “I’m confident that,”
“My track record shows”, “I take the position that”, “I recommend”, or “My goal is”.

The Bottom line: Pronounce all the syllables and leave slang at home. Be well spoken and articulate.

Watch your grammar and spelling when writing. Check it once, twice, three times.

Be courteous. Learn the standards of good manners appropriate to your setting and practice them with everyone, not just the people you are trying to impress. This includes table manners when you are dining. If you do not know what fork to use, what to do with your hands or any other bit of etiquette, learn it. Find someone who will teach you, and learn it with an open mind.

Lastly, I’m going to talk to you about professional dressing. Some offices are very casual, while some are very formal. If you want to be considered professional, you need to look the part. Always be neat and clean. Create your professional image. Wear clean, unwrinkled clothing in good condition. Shoes and purses should also be clean and in good condition. Use a good deodorant. Check your fingernails for any dirt. Make sure your hair is clean and neatly styled. Men should remember to shave or trim facial hair. Despite what you may think, the way you dress does in fact make impressions on people, and those impressions last for as long as they know you. Flaunt your personal style outside of work. The following are always read as unprofessional:

You decide whether you want to have a job, or a profession. If you believe that you need help with professionalism, find a coach or someone to teach you those skills you need. Achieving professionalism is paramount to your getting ahead as an attorney or a paralegal. You will find that you are respected and thought well of in all circles. Your firm or place of employment can only succeed if its people succeed. Your path to the goals you set for yourself will be made much easier if you learn and practice professionalism every day of your professional life.

Dorothy Secol, CLA and Peggy E. Stalford, LA founded Paralegal Services USA in 1986 and became a successful business in the legal community. Now Paralegal Services USA offers franchises in many states across the country. Franchising with Paralegal Services USA is an exciting way to own your own freelance paralegal services business with ongoing training and support from those who have spent 20 years developing systems and management strategies to help you build a successful business. This is a great opportunity for you to finally be your own boss, and continue your professional growth as a successful paralegal.