The Law office structure Flashcards
What is a receptionist?
Very often the receptionist is the first person a prospective client speaks to and sees at a law firm
What are the receptionist’s responsibilities?
- Greeting clients either in person or on the telephone.
- Answering the telephone and directing calls to the correct individuals.
- The receptionist may also be the legal secretary in the office—particularly in small law firms.
- Making all prospective clients feel welcome.
Are the terms attorney and lawyer equivalent?
Yes they mean the same thing.
To become an attorney (lawyer) a person must complete how many years of studies?
They must complete four years of undergraduate studies and three years of law school.
After an attorney completes all of their training what degree do they earn?
A juris doctorate
After an attorney earns their juris doctorate degree they must do what next?
They must pass the bar examination of the state in which they intend to practice law
Many attorneys continue their education during their career in what ways?
- By attending legal education seminars, professional meetings, and conferences
- By subscribing to legal newspapers and journals
- By keeping their law libraries current regarding changes in the law.
In some states every attorney licensed to practice law in that state must attend what?
A designated minimum number of hours of continuing legal education.
What is a sole practitioner?
An attorney who operates a law office alone—that is, there’s only one attorney in the office.
In a larger law firm, an attorney falls into what three categories?
An attorney may be a partner, shareholder, or associate of the firm.
Who is a partner?
A partner in a law firm is the same as a partner in any business partnership. That is, two or more attorneys combine their resources—capital and labor—to provide a service.
What is a law firm organized via partners called?
A partnership.
Who owns a law firm organized by a partnership.
The partners of said firm.
If a law firm is incorporated as a professional corporation what are the attorneys called?
They are called shareholders.
What do partners and shareholders have in common?
Both partners and shareholders invest capital in the law firm and share in the expenses and the profits and losses of the law firm.
In a large law firm, several partners may comprise what?
An executive committee with one partner designated as the managing partner.
What responsibilities does the managing partner handle?
Office administration with the office administrator.
Senior partners devote much of their time to what?
Speaking, teaching, or cultivating new clients.
What do senior partners actual legal practice consists of?
They handle only the most important cases of the law firm.
Some law firms have attorneys who are designated as of counsel, they usually are what?
They are normally semiretired partners or shareholders who maintain their contacts with the firm, but work on only a part-time basis.
An associate is what?
An attorney employed by a law firm, who normally doesn’t share in the expenses, profits, or losses of the firm. Associates are hired with the expectation that they’ll become partners.
What are the responsibilities of an associate?
Maintain the daily work of the client files and report to the partner responsible for each client.
Who are law clerks?
Law students who perform a variety of duties in a law firm. They can’t, however, give legal advice.
What are law clerks responsibilities?
Law clerks can research legal issues. Law clerks may perform the daily updates of the office’s law library, catalogue, and maintain documents.
