1. What exactly do you do?
- What field is your job in?
Legal - What is your job title?
Associate Attorney - Please provide a brief description of the firm or organization that you currently work for (size and general description of what type of organization it is)
I work for a immigration plus general practice law firm. It is a small firm composed of 6 lawyers.
- How long have you been employed in this position?
I have been with them for 3 years - How many hours do you work a week on average?
60 - Please provide a BRIEF description of your duties and responsibilities. (job description)
60 - Please provide a BRIEF description of your duties and responsibilities. (job description)
I write legal motions and pleadings. I also prepare memorandum for firm use. I attend court hearings such as obtaining orders of protections. I prepare and review immigration documents for change of status applicants.
- What was your gross income last year? Please include any bonuses or incentives received.
80000 - What is your expected gross income for this year? Please include any bonuses or incentives you expect to receive.
83000 - Please list any benefits you have (Please include number of weeks vacation, sick leave and type of health insurance, retirement plan 401k)
I have health insurance - Do you feel you are under/well/over compensated at your current position?
undercompensated
2. Work environment!
- Does your job entail you working with others on a daily basis? Is this something you like/dislike about your job? Explain
I go to court a lot which I like. However, sometimes my superior will give me a court appearance I don't know anything about. It is utterly embarrassing to go unprepared in front of a judge.
- Do you work collaboratively with supervisors/managers?
Yes - Do you work collaboratively with your co-workers?
Yes - Describe your work location (e.g., office, home, theatre, in the field) and what you like/dislike about working in it
I like the location...I wish I had a better kitchen
- Please rank in order of importance from 1-8 (1- most important 8- least important) Assign each number once.
- 3 Income
- 2 Work Environment - co-workers
- 1 Work Environment - supervisors
- 4 Benefits
- 5 Hours
- 7 Level of responsibility
- 6 The actual "work" you do at your job
- 8 Job Title
3. How should someone new to the workforce get a J-O-B like yours?
- If someone wanted to go about getting a job similar to yours, what would you recommend for him or her to do?
I would make contacts within your local bar association. Of course, they have to go to law school and pass the bar.
- What skills do you think a person should have if they want to pursue a position like yours? Please be specific and explain why (e.g., social skills, organization skills, technical skills)
You have to be a good writer and a good speaker. You should be organized and be prepared to take criticism.
- Do you feel that you need a certain level of education or training to be successful in your job?
Yes, you need a JD - What advice would you give to someone who was about to start work in your position/ line of work?
I would say that you should be prepared to spend a few years at the bottom ladder working long hours
4. How did you get your J-O-B
- How did you find your current job? (e.g. newspaper, internet, referral, etc.)
Internet - What was the application process for your job? (e.g. submitted resume, paper application, electronic application, all, etc.)
Email Resume - Did you have to interview for your current job? If yes, what did the interview process entail? (e.g., number of interviews, who you interviewed with, group interview, individual interview, etc.)
Yes, there were two interviews, first with a partner, second with a group of partners - If you can remember, what questions were you asked at your interview?
Why did you become a lawyer? What Salary are you expecting? - Is this the job / field you planned to work in?
Yes - If your job is in a different field from your original plan how did you get here? Explain (Plan can be from high school/college/post college/personal plan)
5. Background: Are you qualified?
- Was there training for your current position? If yes, what did it entail?
No, not really. - Do you feel your employer properly prepared you for your job? Explain
I started off just writing motions and then moved to attending court hearings. - Do you feel your educational background prepared you for your job? Explain
No, I wish, there was more hands-on work in law school instead of sitting in a class listening - If applicable, do you feel your internship experience helped you prepare you for your job?
6. The Future and Beyond (FINAL SECTION)
- If someone were to observe you at work, what would he or she say is "fun" about your job?
I would like to find a different area of law to practice. Right now, my plan is go into estate planning and real estate law. - What is (are) the most fulfilling aspect(s) and least fulfilling aspect(s) of your current employment? (e.g. fiscal, spiritual, type of work, hours, commute, compensation, etc.)
I like the compensation level but I don't like the lengthy hours. - Is your current employment part of your career plan? Why or why not?
No, only because I'm a bit burned out and I don't see things getting better - What are your current career goals? (Can be broad or specific)
I would like to be senior level sooner than later - Is there anything else you would like to share about your career?
7. A Day in the Life Of...
- 7 am - 8 am
Get ready for work - 8 am - 9 am
Get to work - 9 am - 10 am
Look at the calendar for court hearings. Get all my paperwork together to take along. Go to the hearing. - 10 am - 11 am
Present a motion to continue...get it approved....file the paperwork with the clerk...come back to the office... - 11 am - 12 am
Meet with a client regarding a past conviction....obtain the police report and trial documents...discuss ways to obtain relief and go forward with the immigration petition. - 12 am - 1 pm
- 1 pm - 2 pm
Start working on summary judgment motion...conduct research and take notes...Prepare a brief summary of applicable law...talk with client on the phone - 2 pm - 3 pm
Prepare to go to the order of protection for a client being harassed by her husband...Talk to her on the phone...Get the necessary documents together... - 3 pm - 4 pm
Present a motion to continue...get it approved....file the paperwork with the clerk...come back to the office... - 4 pm - 5 pm
Come back to office....Continue to work on the summary judgment motion...speak briefly to the client to clarify details... - 5 pm - 6 pm
Meet with new client about adjusting immigration status...explain the steps to obtaining a green card....case is based on marriage so I advise to bring in his wife next time so she also understands what is involved in the petition and how to prepare for the future interview...Obtain personal details and the retainer for the initial consultation - 6 pm - 7 pm
Make a few phone calls to different clients updating them on the status of their cases...Talk to the legal secretary about filing paper at the Daley center tomorrow. - 7 pm - 8 pm
Go Home - 8 pm - 9 pm
- 9 pm - 10 pm
- 10 pm - 11 pm
- 11 pm - 12 pm