Written By Lisa Ryan
Huse quoted in 5 Things Lawyers Should Never Say at Work
Be careful with what you say and how you say it. See excerpts below from a recent story published by Law360's Lisa Ryan entitled 5 Things Lawyers Should Never Say At Work, quoting Jill Huse.
5 Things Lawyers Should Never Say At Work
Law360, New York (August 26, 2015, 1:09 PM ET) -- Because attorneys often spend more time at their office than at home, it can be easy to start feeling comfortable and let the occasional stray comment slip out.
Here, Law360 looks at five key phrases uttered in the office that can cost lawyers their reputation or career.
'Nobody Works Harder Than I Do'
With a heavy workload and long hours, it can be natural for an attorney to feel the urge to complain to his or her co-workers every once in a while.
'There Once Was a Man From Nantucket ... '
Attorneys need to be very careful about the jokes they crack in the workplace. Not everyone has the same sense of humor, and not everyone will recognize that they’re joking.
“If there’s a person around that doesn’t understand who you are or that it’s a joke, that could be misconstrued and a joke could become a derogatory phrase,” said Jill Huse, a partner at Society 54 LLC.
Lawyers should keep the dirty jokes at home and toss the naughty limericks aside when they’re at the office. And if they feel a need to recreate the Sunday Funnies during a rare break at work, they need to gauge their audience before proceeding with caution.
“Make sure you trust the person, and don’t do it in an open forum where everyone’s around, because you don’t know how they’re going to take the jokes you make,” Huse said.
'He’s Just an Assistant'
Administrative and support staff are the backbone of every law firm. Behind every great attorney is often one or more stellar assistant, often someone who has worked with the attorney for years.
These staffers are vital to both the attorney's and the firm’s success — answering calls, arranging schedules and ensuring that the day-to-day operations of a practice runs smoothly. It’s critical for attorneys to treat these workers with respect and kindness.
“The younger generation is much better about including staff and understanding the importance of their staff than the older generation tends to be,” Huse said. “Secretaries are the blood of the firm; they know everything that’s going on. If you’re not nice to them and you treat them poorly, that’s going to have a negative effect on your career long-term.”
'I Got So Drunk Last Night'
When you spend hours on end with certain people, it’s normal for friendships to develop. However, attorneys need to remember that these work friends are still their colleagues and that divulging too much in the office is often inappropriate.
'Are We Done Yet?'
The first few years at a firm can be particularly tough for associates. While they’re used to pulling all-nighters at law school, it can be difficult to adjust to the pressures and demands of being a full-fledged attorney.