Week 2 Post 2

Are you feeling more comfortable? Why or why not?

Yes!! 100 times yes! At the beginning I was scared of the telephone. Even though I have done some work in an office environment before the telephone always scared me. Now I pick it up all the time. I try my best to help the client out if I can, but if not I transfer the call over to Crystal, the other legal assistant.

Is there any subject matter you wish we had covered in class? Explain. How are you managing to become more knowledgeable about this subject.

In regards to Real Estate I am satisfied with what we learned in class. What we learned in class is what I have been doing. I haven't yet come across anything totally new in Convencyer that I wasn't familiar with.

I know that I won't be doing a lot of Wills and Estates but if I were to wish anything, it would be to have used Will builder more then once during the school year. With there only being one assistant I can't do much without her explaining to me all there is to do in Will Builder. It's easier for the lawyer to just focus on creating the Wills and POA's himself.

Are you drawing on skills learned in interpersonal communications, office procedures, math, bookkeeping or legal classes?

In interpersonal communication we learned a lot of theory so I can't say I am pulling much from that class. However we did learn how important it is to be able to communicate effectively. I see how important it is to stay calm, and have patience while listening and dealing with clients.

Office procedures seems like such a long time ago, I'm not going to lie. If it's something that I've learned then that is helping me know, it is tables! I have created a nice new precedent that we can follow when closing files in order to ensure all the necessary documents are in the file.

I found Math very easy but the most math we are doing is adding up taxes or per diem. I use the calculator in my tool bar if I need to calculate something but overall Convencyer does a good job at dragging over numbers from tab to tab and having the trust reconciliation statement add up.

Same with accounting, the most accounting I do is make sure the statement of adjustments balances along with the trust reconciliation statement.

Have you had an opportunity to interact with clients? How? Was this easy or difficult? Explain.

Clients are coming in and out of the office all day because of the man who has his business in Mr. Teixeira's Office. Although, it's just hi and bye with those clients and telling them where Rafael's office is, I'm constantly communicating with strangers. Some others I've interacted with have been the mail man or puralotor man who asks me to sign off on packages.

I've also interacted with clients who have come in for a meeting with Mr. Teixeira. I have given them client identification forms and taken two pieces of ID (one with a picture) from each client to scan and give to Mr. Teixeira before he meets with them. So far it's been it's been easy and people have been kind. Although a few times I've seen people complain that I ask them to fill out another client identification form and ask for ID when they have already filled one out, but it's just a protocol that is required.

On Thursday clients came in to close their file and after picking up their filled in verification of identity form they asked me if I was Crystal. I told them I wasn't and I am just at the firm on a placement position. They told me they thought I was her because it looked like I knew what I was doing. It made me smile and my confidence grew a little because I knew at that point that I had learned a lot and I really was comfortable and was able to do the responsibilities I was given.

School-Related Reflection

What resources are you using at your placement?

At my placement I am using the software I previously mentioned along with the internet when needed. I also have a note book where I keep my notes and phone numbers of bank and law firms that are need to frequently be called.

Have you discovered resources on the Internet that were/are useful to you, other than those introduced in class? If so, please share URLs.

I have used AMO to search for municipalities of townships and cities. Other then that I'm not on the internet at all, unless I'm sending out a package from our firm and we use Puralator.

Review the list of responsibilities submitted by you before your placement. Indicate whether the list was accurate of whether you were exposed to different responsibilities or did fewer than were listed.

The listed I submitted before started is accurate to what I have been doing up until this point. I've probably used Will Builder and created Wills/POA's less then I was told I was going to work on them, but that is just because it's easier for the lawyer to work on those files instead of explain all the details to Crystal or myself.

What do you consider two of your strengths? How are you using them to your advantage at this placement.

I believe one of my strengths would be organization. I haven't yet miss placed anything that belonged in a certain file. I have learned that its easy to work on one thing at a time and if something comes up and I have to change my direction and do something else because of priority reasons, I just clean up my work area and put the file/work I was working on aside and go back to it later. The filing cabinets behind my chair, under the printer have become my best friend. All the files are in their that have been opened and are ready to get closed based on the closing date. When I come in the office I open up Convencyer and the file cabinet and check on what is closing the soonest and make sure the file is already to go in time.

My second strength I would have to say is that I am responsible and hardworking. I get to work always on time and always put in 110% effort in all the duties I'm given. Sometimes I even work through my lunch hour break just to be able to do more work and help take things off Crystal's and Mr. Teixeira's plate. ( I still eat though, I multi task :) ). Once I'm done one job I always ask see what else I can do.