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Original poster

Assertive ideas for CF colleague? I'm new in job.

34 replies

Waytooearly · 22/01/2019 06:19

I'm really just musing, would appreciate some perspective on how to handle this if anyone had perspective.

Without being too outing, I'm a lawyer and my firm has two branches. Other Branch is like three hours away. This is my first month at firm.

Being in practice is always going to be a little fast-paced, I know that.

Sometimes I cover hearings for colleagues based at Other Branch if they're listed at the tribunal close to me. Fine, great, I love going to court.

But there's one man at Other Branch who is frankly taking the P. I got a mystery bundle in the post yesterday, rang the Other Branch admin and found out it was Take P's case.

'Oh right,' I said, 'didn't realise he needed me for a hearing. When is it listed?'

'Uh... Tomorrow' (Tuesday, I. E, today)

'Wow, okay. I'll shift things. Bundle is missing [important evidence which should havebeen obtained months ago]. Could that be emailed to me?'

'I don't know, I just photocopied it! Ask him!'

So I emailed Take P and his PA, asked for evidence to be emailed to me, sent follow ups all day, rang but couldn't get through. Finally rang Other Branchs receptionist at 4, asked her to find someone to help.

Found out that Take P had actually never managed to get evidence from client. That honestly never even occurred to me. Could I maybe get it? Before tomorrow's hearing?

I was just sputtering, saying,' Wow,' trying to keep my cool. 'Okay, I will see what I can do. Could you maybe get the client's contact details for me? Thanks. YEAH I'LL HOLD'

At the same time, I asked the receptionist about any other hearings coming up, telling her about the ones in my diary for the next two weeks. She started rattling off a few more for this week and next (that I had no idea about) and I finally just asked her to email all the sols and tell them to email me if they wanted me to cover a hearing. If I didn't get an email it wouldn't be in my diary.

By a miracle I got hold of the client last night, with interpreter, took instructions, and got the evidence needed. You're fucking welcome!

So yeah, I am fuming. How fantastically discourteous. And Take P not even acknowledging my emails. Suck my dick.

I have problems being assertive. I'm good at getting pissed off and combatative (lawyer). Sometimes I take ownership of things that I shouldn't, and then get resentful. I want to know how to respond (not react) to this in a pleasant, ineffable, non-negotiable assertive way here.

I don't think an email is the thing right now. Emails get misinterpreted and forwarded, I am the new guy, etc.

I am thinking of having a chat with the director's PA (who is lovely). How to pitch it?

'If people just post bundles to me with no email heads-up, the hearing won't be in my diary. If there's key evidence missing I definitely need details on that as soon as possible. Otherwise it's just a matter of time until one of these hearings gets missed (regretful tone, headshake). '

What do you think?

OP posts:
Original poster
Waytooearly · 22/01/2019 06:29

Or maybe in a more positive light:

'I need people to email me when they want me to cover a hearing for them. Obviously if they know evidence is missing, I need a heads up.'

OP posts:
Gizlotsmum · 22/01/2019 06:29

I would try a slightly different approach. Ask them what their system is for letting people know they are covering a hearing and handing over case documentation. Mention yesterday’s situation. How do they ensure missing items are identified before handover?

If they don’t have an answer to the above suggest your method, with maybe a cover note saying if evidence is complete or not?

Original poster
Waytooearly · 22/01/2019 06:33

Mm, I like that. Then the message is like,

'Your system does not seem to be working, you probably want to sort that out.'

Rather than,

'You guys are being so awful to me wanh'.

That's really helpful, thanks. I swear this assertiveness stuff is like learning a foreign language.

OP posts:
JungianMum · 22/01/2019 06:39

yeh sounds like you were set up to fail there.

Asking them what their system is is a good way of phrasing it.

Di11y · 22/01/2019 06:47

and be clear that it's only the hearing you're covering, you don't have the capacity to chase missing evidence and if bundles are not sent in good time with advance warning you simply won't cover the case and they'll have to travel to do it themselves.

percypeppers · 22/01/2019 06:47

Agree with asking them to clarify their system. Then tell them your expectation in terms of when you are told about the case, when you receive the papers, what happens if evidence is missing, etc.

You need to nip this in the bud now. Do not bend over backwards to be helpful.

Both the director and the PA sound a bit crap. I worked for lots of directors that would pull stunts like this if not kept under control so I would monitor what was happening and give other staff the heads up. Expecting other people to step up at the last minute is fine occasionally but not every time. It just stinks of incompetence!

chordFire · 22/01/2019 06:54

Can you insist that Take P has a pre-briefing session with you going forward? A 30 min phone call to go through my the notes. Also have a few responses ready like, "when can you get that to me?" Rather than you agreeing to do the running around to get missing info.

Soontobe60 · 22/01/2019 06:57

I'm afraid your comments 'suck my dick' and 'she seems lovely' don't show you in a good light. Are you living in the 90s?

Original poster
Waytooearly · 22/01/2019 07:00

Yeah, all helpful, thanks.

I'm thinking of just telling the PA what happened and being like, 'So wow, that can't happen again. Not sure what your system is normally but it's clearly broken down. If you could talk with everyone and get back to me with an update. At a minimum I need an email briefing for any hearing someone wants me to cover.'

OP posts:
DaffodilsAreHereAgain · 22/01/2019 07:02

Really, Soontobe60? Confused

Original poster
Waytooearly · 22/01/2019 07:07

Okay, soontobe, you've had your morning snark. Enjoy a coffee now, and I hope your day gets better.

OP posts:
Original poster
Waytooearly · 22/01/2019 07:15

Actually wondering if it was a mistake of me to even ring the office when I got the mystery bundle. I could have been all, 'Wow, I assumed it was for one of hearings already in my diary. What's that you say? No one showed for the hearing? That's funny, I wonder why no one emailed me!'

OP posts:
hopeishere · 22/01/2019 07:32

How many times has this happened? I assume several times??

I agree the "what's the process" approach is better than all guns blazing.

mommybear1 · 22/01/2019 07:32

Is go with less "wow" tbh and make sure you document everything- do you have a case management system? Put the date and time you received the bundle in there and a file note showing what was missing and subsequent actions you needed to take. Cover yourself in paper I find others are less likely to dump on you if they know you'll detail their woeful behaviour and "oversights". It's a fine line however between covering yourself and doing the CFs job for them. Ensure this is on the hard copy file and electronic- this should then be picked up at audit at the very least. Do you have a buddy/mentor? I'd mention it to them as well. We used to also have a client interaction log which the CRP (client relationship partner) reviewed can you log it on there? You need to be assertive now otherwise it will get worse do your research find out who set the system up and why if there is no system then yes email your suggestion but make sure if it's agreed by the higher ups and people don't follow it you bounce things back. I'd also take a close look at the systems in place sounds like there maybe other issues longer term.

mommybear1 · 22/01/2019 07:33
  • I'd not is Hmm
velourvoyageur · 22/01/2019 07:38

Sorry the 'wow' and 'your system have broken down' are not assertive, more arrogant. Also pleases and thankyous to PAs don't go amiss.

velourvoyageur · 22/01/2019 08:03

Also do you think it was wise to use such an aggressive phrase as 'suck my dick' on a mostly female site? What do you think that phrase means to women?

OnlineAlienator · 22/01/2019 08:09

I agree 'wow' and 'your system is broken' sounds more passive aggressive and arrogant respectively.

But, taking advantage of your new status to clarify how things should actually be done as clearly this first stab at it didnt go too well and you wish to improve is an opportunity not to be missed!

Don't dismiss emails, i prefer emails to 'chats', it keeps things in writing, there is evidence if what was said that can be referred to, printed out and taken to meetings etc.

velourvoyageur · 22/01/2019 08:13

Tbf it sounds like you did do really well - but that is expected of new young members of the team, they pick up the slack and take initiative in order to prove themselves. I don't find what you describe that shocking. If you complain about it I think you'll just be seen as not understanding workplace culture.

Original poster
Waytooearly · 22/01/2019 08:17

Thanks for the insights you guys.

I'm genuinely sorry about the comment you didn't like velour (won't repeat it). It's a phrase my female friends and I use among ourselves for a laugh (because we're women, so it's absurd, etc...) I can see it missed the mark.

OP posts:
velourvoyageur · 22/01/2019 08:29

oh i see! thank you & sorry, because you said 'new guy' I assumed you were male. I do think it's differently meant according to who says it :)

Also people not answering emails will drive anyone up the wall, but it's likely not personal & rest assured everyone will be pissed off with them too - have you tried an email (paper trail, as OA mentioned) and then a follow-up call? Don't be afraid to chase people. They won't love you for it in the moment but once your email slides down their inbox they'll forget about it so best to be thick-skinned.

Original poster
Waytooearly · 22/01/2019 08:57

Thanks velour. I was obviously too busy being outraged to make any sense with my post.

Thanks for the measured feedback everyone.

I'm the only staff member in this dept not based at the Main Branch. I only met these colleagues briefly. So perhaps not fair of me to impute CFery or disrespect. For all I know some emails got swallowed up, etc.

Okay, now to go win this hearing.

OP posts:
mummmy2017 · 22/01/2019 09:09

Is there not a check list in the bundle?
If not maybe ask if the firm has this so there is a paper trail of who was responsible for requesting evidence with a timeline.
Tell them you only realised as you read the files, that if you had been emailed a list you could have gain extra time to request missing items, also that there were no contact details for the client is there a simple way to obtain this or do you always have to contact the solicitor in charge of the case?

Somewhereovertheroad · 22/01/2019 09:17

Also get a read receipt for emails so he can't say he didn't get it.

Original poster
Waytooearly · 22/01/2019 09:22

And the hearing has been adjourned. A fax was sent to the Main Branch on Friday.

(wow...?)

Yeah mummy, all of this should be in place. I've been in this field over ten years. Of course when you want someone to cover a hearing, you... tell them about the hearing? So they know when it is? Maybe even tell them about the case?

OP posts:
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