In this article, we shine the spotlight on one of our Legal Assistants, Lia McKinnon.
Lia talks about a typical day as a Legal Assistant at Lamb Brooks, discussing the experiences and opportunities which she may be exposed to.
I am currently working as a Legal Assistant in the Clinical Negligence and Personal Injury teams.
What a Typical Day Might Look Like for Lia
9:00 – When I arrive at the office, I turn my computer on and make a cup of tea to drink whilst checking my emails.
I begin by responding to emails and noting down any tasks that have come up. I have an A4 daily planner which I use to write down a list of the day's tasks and tick them off as I go along.
I spend half of my day working for Clare, Head of Personal Injury, and half of my day working for Victoria, Head of Clinical Negligence.
10:00 – I often spend my time drafting Witness Statements for clients. This is my favourite form of drafting as you gain more personal understanding of the case and the client. I begin this process by reviewing the file and documents such as the Letter of Claim, Instructions to Counsel/Experts and Expert Reports. I then draft a timeline of events from the Claimant’s perspective, focusing on the breach of duty of care and the loss suffered. I will then arrange a telephone call to the client to discuss what I have written so far and ask questions about their perspective of the events. From the information they provide, I am able to build on my foundation of events and add a more personal perspective.
12:00 – At 12pm each day, I cover the New Calls for an hour. This means that I will discuss the enquiries with the prospective clients and note down the details they give. This is in preparation for my New Calls Meeting with the Clinical Negligence team, held each Monday to discuss the new enquiries we have received throughout the previous week and decide whether we are able to take on the case.
13:00 – At lunch I like to go and grab a bite to eat or a coffee with my colleagues, if we can align our busy schedules. I am looking forward to the summer and being able to sit in the sunshine!
14:00 – In the afternoon, I will alternate which Fee Earner I am working for and check my task list for them. I always assign part of my afternoon to preparing a chronology of medical records. This entails examining the client’s medical records and making a chronology of all of the entries that are relevant to the claim. This helps to establish whether there was breach of duty/causation, which are the two elements needed to prove a claim of Clinical Negligence.
16:00 – For the last part of my day, I allocate some time to any administrative tasks that have popped up throughout the day. This could mean providing updates to clients, requesting medical records from GPs and hospitals, paying invoices to medical experts and much more.
17:30 – At the end of the day I start to create a to-do list for the following day.
After work, I try and get myself to the gym for a Pilates or yoga class, or a sauna and swim. I use this as time to wind down after work and catch up with friends.
Three top tips for Legal Assistants:
- Organisation – As we often juggle many tasks at the same time, it can be easy to lose track of things. I find lists and noting things down on paper very helpful, as well as having a very specific filing system for my emails. I also use a spreadsheet to keep track of all of my tasks, when they were assigned and my progress with them.
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions – There is always a balance between being independent and finding the answer to a question yourself, whilst not being afraid to ask a ‘silly’ question. I have often found that asking the question can be very beneficial, no matter how big or small it seems.
- Absorb as much as possible – When you start as a legal assistant, it is normal have an eagerness to learn and progress in your career. I think it is so important to learn things from the ground up, and understand each stage so that eventually, you will become a well-rounded solicitor.
What is it like to be a Legal Assistant?
I enjoy working as a legal assistant and have found it particularly interesting to work in an area I had not previously experienced. I value being able to assist on cases that have a real and meaningful impact. At times, it can be testing to work in an area such as Clinical Negligence, as you are dealing with people who have experienced life-changing events and so you are deeply invested in each case. This can mean that it is high pressure, but it makes it very rewarding.
Have you known from a young age that you wanted to become a solicitor?
I first thought about becoming a solicitor when I took Law as an A-level in college. I really enjoyed the content and could see myself practicing the law, so from then it was a natural step to choose a Law Degree at University. Whilst I was at University, I got the opportunity to do some pro-bono work experience at the Law Clinic. This confirmed that I had made the right decision and was on the right path.
Before you became a Legal Assistant did you have an idea of which area of law you would like to qualify into?
When the position of legal assistant in the Clinical Negligence/Personal Injury team became available, I instantly knew that it would be an area that I was keen to try. I have also found that I previously gravitated towards areas such as Dispute Resolution and Employment Law, both of which I enjoyed practicing.
How much interaction do you have with clients?
I have quite a lot of interaction with clients. This is usually over the phone or via email, but a large portion of my day is spent corresponding with clients.
What kind of legal matters are you working on at the moment?
Week to week, my work is quite varied. I have recently assisted my colleagues in progressing cases of delayed diagnosis of cancer as well as delayed treatment leading to spinal compression and cauda equina.
What is the most challenging aspect about being a legal assistant?
I have found that the most challenging thing has been juggling a range of tasks. To help me with this I create an order of priority/urgency and then work my way down the list.
What have you enjoyed the most about your experience so far?
Working in the Clinical Negligence/Personal Injury team has given me the opportunity to conduct meaningful work in a client-focused approach. I have been able to attend conferences with medical professionals, gaining an insight into the world of medication, treatment and human biology.
What 3 skills do you think are needed to shine as a legal assistant?
- Organisation/time management
- Dedication
- Communication
What advice would you give to someone applying for a Legal Assistant role?
Chose a firm whose values seem to align with yours and take the time to enjoy your interview. Think of it as a way of getting to know each other, because the interview usually helps you gain a feel for the culture of the firm.
What’s next? Do you have any future career plans?
I have recently taken my first set of Solicitor’s Qualifying Exams, and I intend to take the final set next January. In the meantime, I am keeping a record of my Qualifying Work Experience. This should mean that I am able to qualify as a solicitor in the somewhat near future. I would love to become a Trainee Solicitor at the firm before doing so, as I am interested in experiencing different areas before I qualify.