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: Practical Paralegalism

Listserv Answer: If You're Lost, Ask for Directions

By Lynne DeVenny

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A "Lost Paralegal" posted a query to one of the national paralegal listservs today, worried she was posing "silly" questions but asking about an assignment her boss had given her. As a newbie, she was confused by his instructions to draft discovery documents. "Lost" got some great answers from the always helpful members of the listserv, including some links for obtaining go-by documents. I'm sharing my answer to "Lost", mainly for the newbies and paralegal students - to stress the importance of clear communication. I know that no one wants to appear clueless, especially when they're new on the job, but asking good questions is part of the learning process.

First, there are never any silly questions - as long as you don't ask them twice.
You've already gotten some great suggestions from others in this forum, but I'd like to emphasize the importance of establishing a great line of communication with your new boss early on. As a newbie, he should be expecting your questions, and hopefully, will be a good mentor. If I'd been in your shoes, I would have asked him to tell me what the case is about, and if your firm represents the plaintiffs or the defendants (if I hadn't already deduced this from reviewing the file), as well as what sort of information you need to obtain in these types of cases.
Then I would have asked him if there was a similar case file you could review to see the kinds of documents needed, as well as where to find previously drafted documents (if any) to use as go-bys already in the firm's word-processing system. If you have senior co-workers familiar with his case load, they may be good sources of information, too. I've also played detective on my own to locate the right documents by simply running a key word search (Example: "petition leave discovery") through the firm word processing or document management system.
I think it's really important to establish a pattern of asking good questions early on in a new assignment. As you gain experience, you'll ask fewer - but different - questions. I still occasionally work in different practice areas after 15 years with this firm, and no attorney has ever minded explaining how new kinds of cases are handled, or directing me to appropriate go-bys. Right now, I'm learning immigration law, and believe me, I ask LOTS of questions.
I wish you the best of success in your new job.

When I'm lost, I've never minded for a second stopping and asking for directions. Great give and take communication with your supervising attorney is the key to a solid working relationship. Sometimes my boss and I will have a lengthy meeting about a new case. Then I'll take the file back to my desk and review it - and then I'll email him or just go into his office and ask him the new questions that have occurred to me as I become familiar with the file and start the assigned tasks. Honestly, it's not a scary process, and he's never once responded, "You idiot!"

Full post as published by Practical Paralegalism on November 01, 2010 (boomark / email).