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I sat down with Jill Cohoe, an aspiring lawyer, to find out what it's like to be a legal assistant at a major San Francisco law firm.

1.  Which academic credentials do you have?

I attended the University of California, Berkeley and graduated with a degree in Psychology and a minor in Legal Studies. 

2.  Can you describe a "day in the life" of a Legal Assistant?

I work at a small Civil Litigation firm with fifteen attorneys and five legal assistants.  One of the advantages of working at a smaller firm is that I have the opportunity to work on many different types of projects; as a result, I come into the office most days not knowing what to expect!  I have some menial day-to-day tasks, such as photocopying, distributing mail, and filing documents in Court, but I also get to work on more challenging projects such as deposition summaries, editing briefs, assisting in outlining witness examinations, and conducting factual research.  Furthermore, I have attended trials and arbitrations alongside the attorneys to oversee and manage the introduction of exhibits into evidence.

3.  What interests you about the legal profession?  Have you always been intrigued, or did this develop recently?

I am interested in the legal profession because it combines two of my favorite things: arguing and writing.  I enjoy interpreting various cases and stringing them together to form persuasive arguments. I have wanted to be a lawyer for as long as I can remember.  I participated in Mock Trial when I was in high school, which solidified my decision to go to law school.

4.  Do the lawyers you work for see an increase or decrease in the number of clients/amount they can afford to pay as a result of the recession?  Are law firms ever affected by recessions?

My firm represents several large title companies, so the recession has actually increased our firm's business due to the rise in the number of foreclosures.  However, more of our individual clients are utilizing our payment plan option.  This allows them to pay their legal fees in installments, rather than paying off their balance at the end of the month.

Based upon my discussions with friends employed at or applying to other law firms, I have learned  the recession is having a major effect on many law firms.  Large national firms are being forced to lay off a significant number of their associate attorneys, and many firms are being forced to close their doors.  For instance, Heller Ehrman, an international law firm that employed hundreds of attorneys, filed for bankruptcy, then subsequently dissolved the firm in 2008, after over 100 years of practicing. Furthermore, many firms are unable to hire new employees because of the recession.

While the current state of the economy should not deter anyone from deciding to enter the law profession, it is important to keep informed about how the recession is affecting the field of law.

5.  Have you ever taken a class online?  Would you consider it if your employer suggested it, or if you found a class that could enhance your skill set?  What is your opinion of online education in today's technological world?

I have never taken a class online, but I would definitely consider it if my employer suggested it.  I believe that online education is going to be increasingly important in the coming years, as it makes it possible to maintain a full-time job while advancing one's education. There are many opportunities for obtaining a paralegal certificate through online education.  Quite a few of my colleagues have become certified through online degree programs.  All of them are completely satisfied with their experiences; online education allowed them to advance professionally in a convenient and affordable way.

6.  What have you learned about the legal profession as a result of your job working as a legal assistant? What do you like about it? What do you dislike about it?

I realized quickly upon starting my job as a legal assistant that I did not know much about the legal profession---it wasn't nearly as glamorous as Law and Order made it seem!  Nevertheless, I feel working as a legal assistant caught me up to speed on the life of a lawyer pretty quickly.  I really enjoy being challenged by trying to complete complex assignments before tight deadlines.  Furthermore, I enjoy attending trial and observing how to effectively question a witness and make clear and concise arguments. 

It was initially difficult for me to adjust to working in an office everyday.  I found sitting at my computer for hours on end to be a little dull.  I've remedied this by diversifying the tasks that I work on throughout the day as much as possible, in order to break up monotonous assignments.  Also, I've developed friendships with my co-workers, which makes coming to work everyday much more enjoyable.  Finally, I try to take on as many tasks as possible that involve interacting with clients, opposing counsel, and the courts.  All in all, there are many more things that I like about being a legal assistant than I dislike.

7.  What are your plans after law school?  What type of law would you like to go into?  What advice do you have to prospective law students who are looking to go down a similar path as you?

After law school, I am planning on trying to find a job at a corporate law firm in order to pay off my student loans. When my financial situation is not as problematic, my goal is to practice Constitutional law.  I think the rights laid out in our Constitution are fundamental American philosophies.  These laws were brilliantly written, in a way that leaves them open for much interpretation.  I hope to argue Constitutional law in front of the Supreme Court some day.

I have two main pieces of advice for prospective law students: network and stay on top of your applications early on.  Firstly, networking is extremely important to get ahead in the legal profession.  I met my boss' wife at a UC Berkeley alumni function, which led to me getting hired at my current job.  Through this job, I have had the opportunity to network with other attorneys, some of who are contacts who are willing to help me find a job when I finish law school.  Secondly, make sure you understand the law school application process while you are still in college.  Getting letters of recommendations on file while you are still in school and in contact with your professors will make the application process significantly less stressful.  Furthermore, it is never too early to start thinking about your personal statement and studying for the LSAT.

8.  Based on your time spent working with lawyers, what characteristics do successful lawyers have? Personality traits, work habits, work experience, etc.

To be a successful lawyer you must be prepared to work hard and work a lot.  The associates in my office bill, at a minimum, 60 hours per week.  Furthermore, you must enjoy reading and writing, as significantly more time is spent drafting and reviewing briefs than is spent arguing in court (at least in the civil firm that I work at).  Lastly, I think that possessing the ability to maintain calm during stressful situations is what sets apart the great lawyers.  As an attorney, you are constantly bombarded with client issues, complaints from opposing counsel, and many tight deadlines; keeping composed is crucial in completing everything that needs to get done.

Connect with Jill on LinkedIn.