Job Responsibilities
In my current position, I provide administrative and clerical
support to several Deputy Trial Counsel (hereinafter, DTC). The
DTCs prosecute unethical California attorneys, called Respondents.
My job is to assist the DTCs with the following: typing
correspondence to Respondents, Respondents' counsel, typing and
filing pleadings and service of process in State Bar Court,
located on the premises of the State Bar building (The
Transamerica Building in downtown Los Angeles, CA... 1149 S. Hill
Street, Los Angeles, CA 90015); I also interface with
Respodents, Respondents' counsel, judges, other attorneys,
external governmental agencies (e.g., the Bureau of Prisons,
etc.). As I am a unique employee, and one of the very few
secretaries with a law degree, I conducted extensive legal
research, i.e., locating missing Respondents, Respondents'
counsel, complaining witnesses, Respondents who were in jail
and/or prison, etc. I also conducted legal research on state and
federal case laws regarding evidence, professional
responsilibity, ethics, etc. My goal was to MAKE THE ATTORNEYS
THAT I WORKED FOR LOOK GOOD! Unfortunately, the adage, "No good
deed goes unpunished," rings true at the State Bar of
California. Since the State Bar of California, Los Angeles
office, is highly discriminatory toward ME and other Black
employees, my strong worth ethic, initiative, and motivation were
sorely frowned upon. In fact, the managers at the State Bar
often disciplined me for being COMPETENT. It was a blow to their
itty, bitty egos that I "made them look bad." Of course, my
intention was not to "make them look bad." I just did what I
have always done on my jobs---DO A GOOD JOB.
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Job Requirements
Well... hmmm.... this is a toughie. Education requirements...
for the secretaries (mostly female), a high school diploma or GED is required.
Frankly, you do not need a college
degree to be a Legal Secretary at the State Bar of California. Experience as a
Legal Secretary is vital.
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Uppers
The best part of my job is the paycheck and the medical benefits. And trust me,
the money ain't that great. If you are hired, you will have a probationary
period of 90 or so days. After the probationary period, your benefits will kick
in.
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Downers
The worst part about my job? Frankly, you don't have enough
space here, and I don't have 39 years to write about the
downers. So, here is a brief summary:
Working my hinny off, and being reprimanded (orally and in
writing) for doing a good job;
Being verbally assaulted by a male; reporting the
assault; and watch as nothing is done to the offender.
Being disregarded by the DTCs I worked for, which included
their "losing" my work on NUMEROUS occasions; blaming me
for their incompetence (e.g., missing trial dates, etc.);
reporting me for not being a "team player," lying to my managers about my "poor
work performance." You know the drill.
Being nice to my co-workers; being a team player, and watch as my co-workers
backstab me.
Watch as the managers and employees cheat on their time
cards, e.g. embezzlement.
Being reprimanded for arriving to work EARLY to complete numerous projects.
Being reprimanded for having motivation and goals for my "career."
Not receiving assistance with the TONS of work that I had;
but I was always required to help the secretaries with
their workloads. And their absenteeism and tardiness is
RAMPANT. On any given day, I work for 3 to 14 attorneys because of the
secretaries' absenteeism and tardiness. I worked like Mammy and Prissy from
"Gone With The Wind."
Offering assistance to DTC to help them with their jobs and court trials,
locating witnesses, Respondents, etc., and being reprimanded for it because the
secretaries and staff do not have any initiative.
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Lifestyle
The lifestyle for this position is very laid back.
Work hours: 37.5 work week. Flex time is offered to employees, if... (you
guessed it).
No business travel.
Lame company social events. The secretaries have a birthday pool, which you pay
into. Of course I paid into it. Was my cubicle decorated on my September
birthday? Of course not. It was management's decision not to... because I am a
better worker than most.
Dress code: Some people come to work dressed extravagantly; the DTCs/attorneys
often wear suits for their court appearances, trials, etc. Some people wear
sweats; a lot of people wear clothes that are WAY too small for them, and
inappropriate for the workplace. Hello, this ain't no DISCO!
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Compensation
Compensation is laughable.
Upon your hire date, you are informed of a certain annual and
monthly salary. But be vewy, vewy careful; your salary will be considerably
less than what was
promised to you. And, you have to pay those SEIU Union
dues on a monthly basis. First, the SEIU extorts $100 from your
first paycheck. Then, with each subsequent paycheck, you are on
the hook for about $33 per month.
Oh, by the way... the SEIU Union will not
adequately represent you because... they are in cohoots with
State Bar Management. Hmmm... some smart person once called this
a... CONFLICT OF INTEREST. The Union is supposed to
represent you when you have grievances against the State Bar, its
managers, other employees, and when you report instances of racial
discrimination, workplace harassment, and retaliation. However, the adequate
representation by Union reps would only occur... let's say, on... VENUS.
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Advice to Jobseekers
The legal profession robs you of your
creativity, strength, courage. However, the legal profession can be very
rewarding, IF you are
in the right environment. The State Bar of California, Los
Angeles, IS NOT THE RIGHT ENVIRONMENT. Run, Forrest, Run!
The outlook for the legal profession: Hey, people will always
need lawyers. Why? BECAUSE PEOPLE WILL ALWAYS SUE SOMEONE OR
SOMETHING. The plaintiff may NOT win their lawsuit(s), but it is
the act of suing that is so darned wonderful! Only in America!
Watch your back! Oh, since day 1 at
the State Bar, DOCUMENT EVERYTHING... E-MAILS; MEMOS; KEEP COPIES
OF ALL OF YOUR WORK! KEEP YOU EYES AND EARS OPEN, AND YOUR MOUTH
CLOSED. TAKE YOUR DOCUMENTED WORK HOME WITH YOU. DO NOT LEAVE
IT THERE. But, play it cool.
Pretend that you are a SPY, and have fun with your new
adventure.
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