Weekly Online Blog – Week 6

Within various organisations there is specific professional practices that apply to various roles to ensure that an employees work is compliant with the relevant requirements and to ensure that they are completing their tasks effectively.

In my personal experience of working as a legal secretary and administrator I undertook various professional practices to complete and comply with my tasks within the workplace. Some of the practices I undertake are as follows: –

  • Professionalism – As being the first person of contact I am required in the workplace to ensure that I know various communication techniques to ensure that I can positively communicate with any individual associated to the firm or potential clients. Additionally, I am required to dress in business attire, ensure my hair is neat and well-groomed and ensure that I only wear minimal makeup.
  • Development Plans – This involves providing a framework for managing staff to review employees performances such as, record keeping, reporting and actioning recommendations or improvement. In my workplace we are provided with set goals and objectives both short and long term. In the firm I currently work in I use a legal software system named ‘Leap’, within this system I would be applied tasks to complete. Upon commencing a task I would be required to set the ‘bill timer’ on the file to record the time it takes me to complete a specific task.  This system would record all of my “billable hours” so the managing staff can check how many billable hours I am recording, this is to ensure that I am completing the required workload. Additionally, it records my improvement over a weekly, monthly and yearly basis, so I can see if I am reaching my goals and if I am making improvements in my work. Employers can additionally use this system to determine pay increases and promotions for individuals who complete vast amounts of work quickly and sufficiently.  In the event that I was not meeting my set goals a managing staff would most likely arrange a meeting with me to discuss how I could improve my work and achieve my development goals.
  • Confidentiality – Within the workplace I have to ensure that I comply with the rules and guidelines of confidentiality. As stated on the Queensland Law Society website “Rule 9 of the Australian Solicitors Conduct Rules 2012 (ASCR) states that you must not disclose any information which is confidential to a client, and acquired by you during the client’s engagement, to any person who is not: • a solicitor who is a partner, principal, director or employee of your law practice; or • a barrister or an employee of, or person otherwise engaged by, your law practice or by an associated entity for the purposes of delivering or administering legal services in relation to the client.” Therefore, when I am opening new files I have to ensure that I complete a confidentiality check on that client to ensure that I there is no conflict of interest. Additionally, I have to ensure that when I am communicating to any individual I do not disclose any confidential information except for any persons as stated above.
  • Checklists – When opening files I have to insert checklists to ensure that any staff handling the file or any assistant like myself can obtain the file and know where that file is up to and what the next step is. This task is very effective as there is no movement for missing critical tasks. Additionally it decreases the time it takes for someone to search through a file to determine where that file is up to, as any individual can pick up the file and they will be able to obtain what the next steps are and where the file is at just by looking at the checklist.
  • File Notes – For any work that I undertake I have to ensure that upon completing that task I provide a detailed file note of the work I have completed and place that file note on the file for a managing staff to review. Additionally, I am required to use file notes for any conversations I have with any individuals. This is critical as in circumstances where you are speaking to someone verbally you need to ensure that these conversations are recorded for the purposes of billing and to ensure that the managing Solicitor is aware of the contents of the conversation. This also benefits the purpose of “hearsay” as an individual may verbally communicate with you and in the future they may turn around and try to state that they never said what they discussed with you. In this instance you would be able to obtain your file note from that conversation as proof.

I am required every day to apply these and many more practices in the workplace to ensure that I comply with both the Organisations and Queensland Law Society’s Rules and Guidelines. It is very important for me to comply as if I was to not comply with some of the Rules and Guidelines it could result in me losing my job and even the company being sued or a Solicitor receiving a warning or even being struck off.

Reference:

Queensland Law Society, Confidentiality, 2017, viewed on 26 May 2018, <https://www.qls.com.au/Knowledge_centre/Ethics/Resources/Confidentiality&gt;

Weekly Online Blog – Week 5 – Cyber Legal Firms

Within various communities there are various legal services that can range from government funded firms, high profile firms and small boutique firms. These legal services can benefit various individuals depending on the individuals circumstances and the individuals preference of firm. For example an individual who is not financially stable would most likely engage a government funded firm as this firm will best suit this individuals circumstances.

I have chosen three legal services within Queensland with one being a government funded firm, another being a high profile firm and lastly a small boutique firm. Within this blog I will identify these firms separately using their website information only. The three legal services I will be identifying are as follows: –

Legal Aid Queensland – Government Funded:

Legal Aid Queensland was established in December 1979 as a Government Funded legal service providing free legal help on criminal, family and civil law matters to individuals whom are financially disadvantaged. This organisation partners with various legal services such as private law firms who act on Legal Aid’s behalf to help assist in providing their legal services to individuals in Queensland. In this instance, private law firms do not get paid their set prices, however, they are paid a set amount determined by Legal Aid to act on behalf of their client.

Not only does Legal Aid Queensland provide a free legal service to financially disadvantaged individuals, they also have a publication scheme which allows them to provide information on various documents and information on their website which is accessible by anyone. Some of the information can include how to apply for certain Court Orders and examples/templates on how to draft Court Documents.  This information does not just benefit disadvantaged individuals but also any persons wanting to handle their own legal matters or even lawyers who use these templates to give an indication on how to complete a legal document that they are not familiar with.

In relation to this organisation’s website there is not any suggestions I would advise for improvement. This Website has been set out immaculately and is very easy to find specific information the reader is looking for. They include various tabs such as Home, Find Legal Information, Get Legal Help, For Lawyers, About Us, Our Services, Find a Lawyer, Factsheets and Guides, Feedback and Complaints, within these tabs includes more tabs leading to more specific information or help that the reader is looking for.  Additionally, they provide various ways of contacting them including over the phone, in person, contact form, mail and they also provide different contact information depending on the circumstances of contact.

You can access the Legal Aid Website on http://www.legalaid.qld.gov.au/Home

 

Slater and Gordon – High Profile:

Slater and Gordon is a consumer law firm which was founded in Australia in 1935 and currently has more offices than any other law organisation in Australia. This organisation assist’s individuals in various areas of practice such as liability and compensation law, Class Actions, Dispute Resolution, Employment Law, Will Disputes,  and Property Law. Additionally, this organisation participates in Social Work Services, Union Services and National Relay Services.

This organisation provides a “No Win – No Fee” scheme which is generally available for compensation claims. This scheme means that there are no professional fees if the matter is unsuccessful however, if the matter is successful the firm will take a success fee from the proceeds of your settlement monies.  ” A success fee is typically a percentage added to the final costs. For example, under Victorian law if your claim is successful an increase in the costs of up to 25% is permitted as a success fee. This ‘uplift’ is not calculated as a percentage of your settlement money.” (Slater and Gordon, 2018) However, with the other matters this firm undertakes that does not fall under the “No Win – No Fee” scheme the client will be required to pay monies into their Trust Account to undertake their matter.

Slater and Gordon’s website provides various information on who they are, the services they provide and explanations on their services. They additionally have various points of contact including enquiry form, phone, mail and email. This firm provides various contact information depending on the reason for the person calling. Though, they do not provide their fee’s online. I believe that they would improve their website by providing fixed fee prices for services that do not fall under the “No Win – No Fee” scheme, for example $825.00 for professional fee’s for this firm to act on the client’s behalf for the purchase of property. Or alternatively, providing their hourly rate on their website and an estimate range on this firm’s professional fees to act on a specific matter. By this organisation incorporating this into their website it may reduce their time in responding to enquiries of prices as it will all be listed on their website. Though, I believe this firm has not provided their fee’s as they may hold to much liability when a client’s matter escalates over the estimated amount, however, personally if they inserted a disclosure notice of how those estimates are only an estimate and can be altered at any time throughout the matter, this should prevent any further issues arising.

You can view their website at https://www.slatergordon.com.au/

 

Priala Legal – Local Small Boutique Firm:

Priala Legal is a boutique law firm which was established in 2007 by Despina Priala. This organisation specialises in Property Law, Commercial Law, Joint Ventures Arrangements, Conveyancing, Leasing, Child Care Acquisitions and Sales, Estate Planning and Estate Administration or Disputes. The majority of their client intel is developers and other property players within South East Queensland. Priala Legal provides various articles, brochures, press articles and updates on information relating to the matters that this firm specialises in.

With this firm’s website, it was an easy lay out to work with and provided brief explanations on what they specialise in and they also successfully provided contact information.  However, again as per the previous firm, no fees were advised. So I would suggest that they make this change and incorporate at least a range of prices for specific matters, to allow the reader to gain an idea of this firms professional fees. As mentioned above, by incorporating this to their website it will save time on them responding to quotes. Additionally, I do note this website provided an extensive amount of information and history on the individual whom established this firm though, it does not include much information on the firm itself and how they participate in the community. I believe that incorporating more information as mentioned would benefit this client’s website.

You can access their website at http://www.prialalegal.com.au/

 

Differences between each firm:

Legal Aid Queensland differs from both of these firms as it provides extensive amounts of information and examples to assist any persons in relation to any criminal, family and civil law matters on their website for free. Additionally, Legal Aid differs as they provide a free service to any financially disadvantaged individuals unlike the other two firms.

Slater and Gordon differs from the other firms as they provide a “No Win – No Fee” scheme to some of their clients. This organisation differs from Legal Aid especially as they do not provide extensive amounts on information that will benefit individuals without having to use their service.

Priala Legal differs from the other firms as it does extensively outline what the firm is in the “About Us” and extensive amount of information in regards to the matters they handle. Additionally, they do not provide various ways of contacting the firm for different issues, they only provide a phone number, fax, email and postal address. Unlike the other firms who provide different points of contact for specific matters.

 

Personally, I believe that Legal Aid Queensland provides the greatest website out of the three firms I have chosen to identify. This may be because it is a Government Funded Organisation, however again with that their service is free and I think that it is fantastic that the website that provides a free service is the best of them all. In most cases usually high paying clients are the ones who are provided with the most information, in this case I do not personally believe that this is the matter.

 

Reference List:

Slater and Gordon, Home, 2018, accessed on 18 May 2018, <https://www.slatergordon.com.au/>

Legal Aid Queensland, Home, 2018, accessed on 18 May 2018, <http://www.legalaid.qld.gov.au/Home>

Priala Legal, Home, 2018, accessed on 18 May 2018, <http://www.prialalegal.com.au/ >

Weekly Online Blog – Week 4 – Learning Styles

Every individual has a specific learning style that suits them and contributes to their ability to understand and complete the relevant activity. Understanding what your learning style is can benefit your learning process as once you identify your learning style you can study information in accordance with the best way your memory will retain the information and therefore, it will decrease the time it takes for you to study, improve your studying experience and prolongs your memory on that information.

 

The most common learning styles are as follows: –

  • Auditory style – learn by listening e.g. discussions, lectures, tapes or a speaker rather than reading articles;
  • Visual learner – learn by seeing rather than listening e.g. pictures, visual aids such as overhead or PowerPoint slides, diagrams or handouts;
  • Kinaesthetic – learn by experience, moving, touching and actually doing e.g. experiments, projects, hands on training.

 

Personally in my experience I have determined that my personal learning style is kinaesthetic. “A child who has a kinaesthetic learning style cannot just sit still and wait for information to be given. They surpass in finding out things for themselves without any needs for guidance.”  (News Life Media, Fiona Baker, July 03, 2017)

Thus, I find it easier to learn by experience as sometimes when you’re trying to learn a specific subject, you are given certain information, though you’re not always taught how or what that activity/information applies to. For example, in mathematics you may be taught to memorise an equation, though you are not always taught when you would apply that equation to a real life situation. For some people this way of learning may work for them, but for me I find it easier to be given a real life problem and learn how to solve it.

To best suit my learning style I personally would try to obtain work experience within an organisation that is relevant to the subject matter I’m trying to study. For example, in the legal profession I would try to obtain work experience in a law firm that provides me with instructions to either draft legal documents or asks me to research and advise of the next steps on a specific matter. Therefore, I would be able to study the file, learn why this task applies to the matter and I would be able to undergo research for the relevant task that I am trying to complete in a real life situation. Therefore, by me obtaining work experience I will be learning my subject matter by completing hands on training, by completing legal documents that relate to my studies and learning how to apply it to relevant activities that I am completing.

However, a range of activities that are suggested to best suite kinaesthetic learners include Assembling charts and diagrams such as creating structure for my notes such as arranging my notes into charts, diagrams and flowcharts will assist my mind in comprehending and recognising the information I am learning quickly as it provides a clearer picture of the information. Combining an activity with studying, by taking participation in a physical activity while studying such as, listening to an audio recording of your study notes whilst going for a work can help kinaesthetic learners retain information in a more effective way as opposed to reading a text book at home. It is believed that kinaesthetic learners have a difficult time sitting still for long periods therefore, it is suggested to take breaks when studying to be able to take a break and refocus when you commence studying again.

 

Refercence List:

Kids Spot, News Life Media, Kinaesthetic learning style in children, Fiona Baker, 3 July 2017, accessed on 15 May 2018, < https://www.kidspot.com.au/school/primary/learning-and-behaviour/kinaesthetic-learning-style-in-children/news-story/6505b008d4ce9ad8e94959f6f1eab524>

 

Law School Tool Box, 5 Study Tips for Kinesthetic Learners, 9 September 2013, accessed on 15 May 2018, < https://lawschooltoolbox.com/5-study-tips-for-kinesthetic-learners/>

Weekly Online Blog – Week 3 – Continuing Professional Development

Continuing Professional Development is a process, management and system to ensure you obtain the relevant skills, experience and knowledge of the position you hold. It also ensures that you are updated of any new information that is relevant to your position. There are various careers which require the professional to conduct the Continuing Professional Development. The two (2) professions I will be identifying will be Solicitors within Queensland and Queensland College of Teachers.

Solicitors within Queensland are required to conduct Continuing Professional Development, which is also known as “CPD”. As required by the Queensland Law Society Administration Rule 2005, Solicitors must complete 10 CPD Points annually to maintain their practising certificate. This requirement ensures that Solicitors are aware of relevant legislation changes and the evolution of the law itself.

Solicitors can gain their CPD Point by attending, watching or preparing seminars and conferences. Additionally, they can gain them by publishing articles in law journals or legal publications and becoming a member of the Queensland Law Society section or committee.

Lastly, a Solicitor must complete at least one CPD Point in the mandatory core area which are practical legal ethics, practice management and business skills and professional skills.

Queensland College of Teachers also requires fully registered teachers to undertake the annual Continuing Professional Development to ensure the professional is aware and updated of the expectations and knowledge of their profession.

Registered Teachers who work over 20 days per year are required to undertake 20 hours of Continuing Professional Development annually to maintain their registration of being a teacher.

Some of the mandatory training and activities includes a mixture of ethical decisions, code of conduct, management of information, safety and wellbeing and internal controls. The training can be delivered online or it can be delivered face-to-face or self-paced. Teachers can also undertake this training during school hours and working hours or in lieu of a staff meeting.

Reference:

Queensland College of Teachers, 2017, Continuing Professional Development Policy and Framework, accessed on 19 April 2018, <http://www.qct.edu.au/pdf/CPDPolicyFramework.pdf>

 

Queensland Teacher’s Union, 2017, Professional development and mandatory training, accessed on 19 April 2018, <http://www.qtu.asn.au//files//6915/2057/6555/Professional_development_and_mandatory_training_Nov2017fixedlinks.pdf>

 

Queensland College of Teachers, 2017, Continuing Professional Development Questions and answers, accessed on 19 April 2018, <http://www.qct.edu.au/pdf/Continuing_Professional_Development_Q_and_A_FS10.pdf>

 

Queensland College of Teachers, 2018, Professional development, accessed on 19 April 2018, < http://www.qct.edu.au/registration/professional-development >

 

Queensland Law Society, 2018, Continuing professional development (CPD), accessed on 19 April 2018, < http://www.qls.com.au/For_the_profession/Your_legal_career/Continuing_professional_development_CPD >

 

Queensland Law Society, CPD Guide Guidelines on CPD compliance for Queensland solicitors, 2017, < www.qls.com.au/files/12206003-5d23-403c-9590…/CPD_Guide_Feb_2017_FNL.pdf >

 

 

Weekly Online Blog – Week 2

Today I had researched various advertised jobs of my interest that are within the legal system. I came across a law firm “Shine Lawyers” advertising for a Senior Legal Assistant – Medical Law on a Job Search website “Seek”. You can locate this job via this website address: –

https://www.seek.com.au/job/35852309?type=standout&userqueryid=ee5e26d45cf33b51d3763a6655cd54b6-2766698

I found this specific job appealing as this job does not require any legal qualifications and has various roles which could be challenging and requires specific knowledge in relation to communication with colleagues/clients, managing databases, the office’s operations, knowledge with the Pre-Court and Court processes and having experience in Medical Law.

The roles within this job include assisting Solicitors with day to day operations, managing complex databases, devise systems to support retention of information and accessibility, preparing matters, assisting with clients, preparing correspondence and documents, briefing and liaising with counsel and developing and maintain strong working relationships.

In relation to this job I do not obtain certain skill sets that this firm is seeking such as, having experience in Medical Law, knowledge of Pre-Court and Court processes, briefing and liaising with counsel and medical practitioners.

I would address my professional development needs by explaining to the organisation that I attain majority of their required skills and that I have extensive experience in various roles that this position requires due to having 4 years’ experience within a law firm, a Certificate III in Business, Administration and Legal and I am currently undertaking my Diploma in Legal Services. I would additionally advise the organisation that I believe I would be a fantastic candidate for their firm in the future once I have worked in a firm that can provide me with the experience in Medical Law, knowledge of Pre-Court and Court Processes, briefing and liasing with counsel and medical practitioners. Otherwise, I would be happy to propose to this firm for myself to work on a lower annual income as a trainee basis so I can gain the skills they require whilst working at the firm.

The organisation may give me an opportunity to gain the required experience as I will be on a lower income and therefore, this would save the company money and that once I have obtained the required skills and experience they will have an experienced Senior Legal Assistant in Medical Law who is already familiar with the colleagues, clients and their workplace rules and procedures.

Reference:

SEEK, 2018, Senior Legal Assistant – Medical Law Job in Gold Coast, accessed on 19 April 2018, <https://www.seek.com.au/job/35852309?type=standout&userqueryid=ee5e26d45cf33b51d3763a6655cd54b6-2766698&gt;

Weekly Online Blog – Week 1 – Organisational Goals and Objectives

Within an organisation it is essential to select a set of values and goals to describe what the organisation is aiming to achieve and what they stand for. By providing a set of organisational goals and objectives it can serve as a guide to employees and future employees of what the organisations standards are and how to behave within the workplace.

The legal organisation that I have chosen to research the concept of organisation goals and objectives of their firm is Ormeau Legal Pty Ltd.

Ormeau Legal Pty Ltd is a local law firm that specialises in legal services such as Civil disputes, litigation, criminal law, family law, conveyancing, wills, estates, enduring power of attorney’s and advanced health directives.

As listed on their website they state that their objectives and goals are to provide a realistic service and they pride themselves as a firm whom listens to their clients and focuses on building long term relationships with their clients. Additionally, they advise that they are a small team of dedicated professionals whom aim to provide a friendly, family atmosphere with a reputation for timely, personalised service.

Whilst studying my Diploma of Legal Services at Tafe Queensland and whilst being employed in a Legal Law firm I have gained various skills such as effective communication skills, to work cooperatively with fellow work colleagues and clients, organisation and time management, confidentiality skills and being able to research relevant legislation to apply to various scenarios.

Therefore, I believe that I could meet their organisational goals of listening to their clients, being able to provide a friendly, family atmosphere, providing a reputation for timely, personalised service and being able to build long term relationships with the clients. However, I do not believe that I could provide a realistic legal service as outlined in their legal services as I am not qualified to give advice or act on behalf of the clients in relation to these matters and I have not gained enough experience or knowledge to provide this specific service.

Although, in the future I am eager to dedicate myself to gaining entry into the Bachelor of Laws degree and successfully complete the degree so I can become a qualified Solicitor and be able to successfully meet various legal organisations goals.

Reference List:

Ormeau Legal Pty Ltd 2018, Home, Queensland, viewed on 19 April 2018 <http://www.ormeaulegal.com.au/&gt;