Dickinson Mackaman Tyler & Hagen, PC

Better communication about what is expected of you. More training/planning meetings with each attorney who is going to be utilizing the assistant's help. More information on what is firm wide expectations and what is individual attorney expectations. Although hired as a legal assistant, was in an administrative assistant role, was never sure which role I was supposed to be filling. It seemed to depend on the attorney.

Well establish firm with a good reputation. Not to small, but big enough to have attorney's in many areas of the law.

You are put out there to work with no guidance, it is like they think you should already know everything and be able to read their minds. I think a lot of this was because I had attorneys who only had one other assistant in their career and they did not know how to share their needs and desires because their former assistant had been with them so long.

Maybe not avoid but be aware of the fact that some of the attorneys here do have "control" and "power" issues.

Other Legal Assistant's were helpful, although not always informed. IT department was very helpful.

1-2 years

The leadership team needs to do something to make the environment less competitive. The current situation is causing a morale crisis that will likely get worse.

Both the pay and benefits here are top notch; above market average. It's also nice to be able to work from home on occasion.

There is very little support from leadership here, and the environment is incredibly competitive. There is very high pressure to perform, and it's not uncommon to see associates thrown under the bus by coworkers.