The Legaco Express for Paralegals (LEX):

You began your career as a paralegal. What was the best part of your job being a paralegal?

Sean Robertson:

When I was working as a paralegal, I was extremely busy and I liked working with clients directly.

LEX:

What were the reasons for to you choose to go to law school despite the sacrifices going back to school requires?

Sean Robertson:

I wanted to make a decent living and, secondly, I wanted to go into politics or public service at some point.

LEX:

How did you choose which law school was right for you?

Sean Robertson:

I chose DePaul University College of Law because it was located in the city of Chicago and I figured it would be a good experience being in the city and it offered me the opportunity to take evening classes.

LEX:

How did you manage to work as a paralegal and attend law school at the same time?

Sean Robertson:

I just did it. The more I think about it, I just did something that seemed impossible but you do what you got to do.

LEX:

What qualities set you apart and help you succeed in the legal field, both, as a paralegal, and later, as a lawyer and managing partner?

Sean Robertson:

Discipline and perseverance. At the end of the day, everybody has ups and downs but you just need to continue to stay focused and work hard, even when you don't feel like it.

LEX:

What do you wish paralegals would know about lawyers and managing partners?

Sean Robertson:

We are normal people, number one, just like them. Number two, paralegals need to find out how they can best help us and be effective team members.

LEX:

How do you organize your work with paralegals to make sure that your teams are as effective as possible?

Sean Robertson:

Typically I look for a paralegal that is hands-on, has the ability to work independently, and who writes well.

LEX:

When you interview a paralegal candidate for a position in your law firm, what are the most important qualities you are looking for?

Sean Robertson:

I am looking for people who are independent and have the ability to learn, with good writing skills. I also want someone who did very well in paralegal school because it shows me that the person is disciplined and know how to work hard.

LEX:

What are some of the most common mistakes paralegal candidates make during interviews?

Sean Robertson:

I would say, number one, many paralegals do not bring a copy of their resume, just in case I don't have a copy. Second, they show up late or don't show up prepared and, third, they don't follow directions. For example, if I ask for a cover letter and a resume, don't send me an email without a cover letter.

That's important because, at the end of the day, you want somebody who has the ability to turn directions into actions.

LEX:

How do you deal with concurrent deadlines? What are your time management tips?

Sean Robertson:

You need a system to remind you of deadlines and it needs to be computerized. A case management system that reminds you of important deadlines. That's the key to be successful, you need to be organized.

From a managing partner standpoint, you need to know what you are good at and what you are not good at. And for the things you are not good at, you have to delegate effectively.

LEX:

How do you deal with work-related stress?

Sean Robertson:

Ideally speaking, I would be working out. Probably also, coming home and laughing, watching a funny movie or show. Laughter always.

LEX:

What was the best advice you have ever received? What advice would you give to paralegals entering the field?

Sean Robertson:

The best advice is to do more than you are paid for. The reason it is important is because when you are valuable, your pay will at some point reflect that. And if you are not willing to go above and beyond what you are getting paid for, you're not going to be as valuable.

So my best advice to people is “be valuable”, and in order to be valuable, be loyal, and serve your employer well. In return, you will get it back. And if you don't get it back, obviously, you have to find something else to do.

LEX:

The legal world is changing fundamentally in many ways at the current time. How do you see the paralegal profession and more generally law firms evolve in the near-term future?

Sean Robertson:

Technology is becoming more and more important.

I think there will be more paralegals working independently, and probably working from home. Office space is a big expense, and now with technology, things are changing for paralegals and law firms.

I think that smart law firms are finding that a paralegal that they can trust could work from home.

You need to learn basic search and writing skills and your computer and technology skills have to be good. Technology has become crucial to the legal field.

For a paralegal who stays with an employer for a long time, and if after a while the employer knows that he can trust that paralegal's work, the paralegal can ask to work from home in my view.

It takes a lot of discipline to work from home, but this is an opportunity for paralegals to make more money since the employer is not paying the 5,000 dollars a year in office space costs in that case.

This gives you more money to pay your people well!

LEX:

Mr. Robertson, thank you for your time and for sharing your experience and insights with us.