ITT: We discuss what to get your secretary for the holidays Forum

[masterbrowski]

Remember, this is the person who you will one day force to scan 50 different documents, name all the files, then print them all out and place in a tabbed indexed 3-ring binder. You might not do that kind of stuff as a first year, but you will soon enough. As a lit associate, you really have to start leaning on your secretary as the years go on.

Weird. At my firm paralegals do all of the above. Some of the paralegals bill 80 hours a week depending on the group. Our secretaries answer calls, but that's about it.

You guys have paralegals scan and label documents? Seems expensive.

[Desert Fox]

[Desert Fox]

[Companion Cube]

Amazon gift cards are the way to go, assuming they know how to internet. Otherwise get one from Target or somewhere similarly versatile. $100 per year of seniority is fine. Trust me, a 5th year associate can afford $500 unless they are in gambling debt with the Yakuza or something. I could afford $500 right now as a third year with six figures of debt and a 2BR apartment.

And be a nice person. Don't just slip the gift card in an envelope or forward it with the email confirmation from Amazon. Buy a card that says "HAPPY HOLIDAYS," write a thank you note inside with your big boy/girl handwriting, and throw in a box of chocolates or a little poinsettia or something. Remember, this is the person who you will one day force to scan 50 different documents, name all the files, then print them all out and place in a tabbed indexed 3-ring binder. You might not do that kind of stuff as a first year, but you will soon enough. As a lit associate, you really have to start leaning on your secretary as the years go on.

A partner explained it to me this way: the better you treat your secretary the harder they will work, making you look better in turn. Simple but people seem to forget..

Why mess around with gift cards. CASH MONEY the way to go.

But damn 500 is a lot.

I think we are probably the same year, right? Assuming you're at market as a third year, do you feel like it'd be hard to swing $300? I feel like I could afford that easily. As far as I know, attorney presents are the only form of X-Mas bonus secretaries at most firms get.. and otherwise they are getting paid hourly. My secretary has been at the firm a long time and I feel as though they deserve it.

As far as cash goes... I guess I just feel a little weird giving straight cash. A gift card lets me have the illusion of it being a "present." I know some other people have that same irrational hang-up. That being said, you're totally right... it's the functional equivalent of cash but just a little less convenient.

Deduct $50 from the cash you were going to give (or don't), spend it on some flowers, put the cash in a card and give with the flowers.

Or chocolate. Or an edible arrangement.

I'm hungry.

[Nebby]

Amazon gift cards are the way to go, assuming they know how to internet. Otherwise get one from Target or somewhere similarly versatile. $100 per year of seniority is fine. Trust me, a 5th year associate can afford $500 unless they are in gambling debt with the Yakuza or something. I could afford $500 right now as a third year with six figures of debt and a 2BR apartment.

And be a nice person. Don't just slip the gift card in an envelope or forward it with the email confirmation from Amazon. Buy a card that says "HAPPY HOLIDAYS," write a thank you note inside with your big boy/girl handwriting, and throw in a box of chocolates or a little poinsettia or something. Remember, this is the person who you will one day force to scan 50 different documents, name all the files, then print them all out and place in a tabbed indexed 3-ring binder. You might not do that kind of stuff as a first year, but you will soon enough. As a lit associate, you really have to start leaning on your secretary as the years go on.

A partner explained it to me this way: the better you treat your secretary the harder they will work, making you look better in turn. Simple but people seem to forget..

Why mess around with gift cards. CASH MONEY the way to go.

But damn 500 is a lot.

I think we are probably the same year, right? Assuming you're at market as a third year, do you feel like it'd be hard to swing $300? I feel like I could afford that easily. As far as I know, attorney presents are the only form of X-Mas bonus secretaries at most firms get.. and otherwise they are getting paid hourly. My secretary has been at the firm a long time and I feel as though they deserve it.

As far as cash goes... I guess I just feel a little weird giving straight cash. A gift card lets me have the illusion of it being a "present." I know some other people have that same irrational hang-up. That being said, you're totally right... it's the functional equivalent of cash but just a little less convenient.

Deduct $50 from the cash you were going to give (or don't), spend it on some flowers, put the cash in a card and give with the flowers.

Or chocolate. Or an edible undergarment.

I'm hungry.

[Companion Cube]

Reading comp fail

[Nebby]

Reading comp fail

It was pretty hidden.

[Companion Cube]