Ways To Relieve Stress (Continued from page 32)


is the link to everything important in the case. Make sure it is immediately updated and tailored to your needs. As trial gets near, the attorney binder and the entire case file are updated and made ready for trial. This includes plac- ing the entire file in banker’s boxes for easy transport to court, making copies of all depositions, folders for all pending mo- tions in limine and other pretrial issues, copies of all pertinent books and litera- ture, copies of the Maryland Rules of Civil Procedure and Rules of Evidence, obtain- ing exhibit enlargements and other models, impeachment materials, plenty of pens, hi-lighters, legal pads, and sticky pads, and generally organizing the entire file so that you have quick access to what- ever information you require.


D. Support Staff.


You and the partner are not the only members of the trial team – there are of- fice managers, paralegals, secretaries, and other support staff who are all equally important in the efficient running of the office. Treat the staff as more important than you are – chances are they have been there longer than you and you need them. Treat them as integral members of the firm and the firm’s success and you will not be disappointed. The biggest mistake you can make as a new attorney is to get on the wrong side of a secretary or paralegal and then expect them to go above and beyond their duties to assist you when you really need them. If you get on the wrong side of a partner’s secretary, consider your- self unemployed.


tary/staff adequate time to complete assignments.13


As often as possible, give your secre- We all know “fires” occur


suddenly and must be put out immedi- ately. However, don’t make your office an everyday fire house – allow for and give proper time to complete assignments. Make sure you prioritize the assignments you dole out – if you give your secretary an assignment, make sure she knows that if she cannot get to it that day, to tell you before the end of the day so you can pri- oritize all of her work – do not get upset at her if she does not prioritize properly. Again, the ultimate responsibility for pri- oritizing is yours. Likewise, always take the blame. Do


13


Pat Yevics, “People Make a Quality Law Firm”, Maryland Bar Bulletin, November 2001, p. 12.


34


not shift blame to someone else if you were the one ultimately responsible for the assignment and the mistake. It is not an excuse to inform the partner that the rea- son your citation of a case was incorrect was because your secretary transposed the numbers – it is your responsibility to make sure the document is free of errors prior to providing the assignment to the part- ner. On a similar note, when you provide a draft of a motion to a partner, it should not be considered a draft – you should have it in final format as if the partner is the Court.


III. A Veritable Smorgasbord of Ways To Cope


If you were to ask 100 people how they cope with stress, you will likely receive 100 different solutions. Simply, dealing with stress is individualized. What follows are various suggestions. Use some or all of those you believe will assist you. (1) Realize that you are not invincible and that professional help may be the way to proceed to assist you in deal- ing with the stress.14


In addition to


having someone else to talk to about your problems, you are receiving a professional’s advice on how to bet- ter cope with work. The recommen- dations can be as simple as relaxation techniques or prescription medica- tions. The Maryland State Bar Association’s Lawyer Assistance Pro- gram has support services which include stress management and pre- vention, with their theme being “prevention through education.”15


(2) Consider a retreat and/or a fulfilling vacation. Everyone needs “down- time.” Make sure you make the time each year to schedule a retreat or a “real” vacation16


– one where you are


not simply doing your office work at another location, but where you are relaxing, not doing any legal work, and evaluating your life.


number where you can be reached, but only in an emergency.17


Leave a By re-


moving yourself from the office completely, enjoying yourself, and


14 15 16


See Bossart, David R., “Finding Your Inner Peace,” Trial, July 1998, at p. 34.


Janet Stidman Eveleth, “Stress Invades the Practice of Law”, supra, at p. 4.


Stewart I. Edelstein, Irwin Sollinger, “Twenty-Six Ways to Cope With Stress, The Law Need Not be a Jealous Lover,” TRIAL, February, 1991, p. 104.


17Id. Trial Reporter 25


taking the time to reflect, you come back to the office re-energized and ready to immerse yourself back into the work.


(3) Learn to say “no” if you get over- loaded.18


Learn to say no – to


partners, colleagues, outside commit- ments – when you are already overwhelmed. Advise the partner early on that you need additional time and/or assistance. By so inform- ing, the partner can assist you by re-prioritizing your workload or dol- ing out the assignment to someone else. On a similar note, it is proper to ask questions when you are pre- sented with something you have not seen before or when receiving a new assignment. If you don’t feel like going to a partner with questions, ask a senior associate.19


(4) Sleep right – the body requires a minimum amount of rest, and the mind requires a minimum amount of dream time.20


(5) Eat balanced, sensible diets and maintain your proper weight.21 Think of food as fuel, not just filler.22


(6) Exercise right – realizing that regu- lar moderate exercise is sufficient.23 Establish a regimen you enjoy, so you look forward to exercising rather than viewing it as drudgery.24


(7) Avoiding, or using in moderation, to- bacco products, drugs, and alcohol.25


(8) Take advantage of technology – from listserves, to researching on-line, to PDAs. Do not be afraid to use new technology if you believe it will make your life easier. Don’t stick with a method merely because you are afraid to try something new.


(9) The number one rule at any office in reducing stress in your life: Pay


18


Neil J. Dilloff, “Tips for New Associates,” Maryland Bar Journal, Vol. XXXI, No. 6, November/December 1998, at p. 45.


19Id. 20


Stewart I. Edelstein, Irwin Sollinger, “Twenty-Six Ways to Cope With Stress, The Law Need Not be a Jealous Lover,” supra, at p. 104.


21 22


Janet Stidman Eveleth, “Stress Invades the Practice of Law”, supra, at p. 4.


Stewart I. Edelstein, Irwin Sollinger, “Twenty-Six Ways to Cope With Stress, The Law Need Not be a Jealous Lover,” supra, at p. 103.


23Id. 24Id.


Janet Stidman Eveleth, “Stress Invades the Practice of Law”, supra, at p. 4.


Winter 2003


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