When you enter a law firm, the first person you are likely to meet is the receptionist.
This individual is responsible for making sure that he or she greets and helps clients by providing information of lawyer availability, and the legal services that the firm provides.
Law office receptionists are the face of the organization and are responsible for providing clients with a positive overview of the firm.
To work as a law office receptionist, you do not need more than a high school diploma. However, employers tend to be more inclined to hire people who have had some exposure to the legal system.
If this is the work that you want to do, you will be required to possess exceptional skills in communicating with people from all walks of life. Providing information about the services that the firm provides will be all in a day’s work for you. In addition to this, you will be required to possess exceptional skills in operating telephone exchanges, taking and diverting calls, and handling messages. Moreover, your work will require you to be exceptionally organized and focused, so that you can handle multiple tasks at the same time.
To see what job duties you may be responsible for while working as a receptionist in a law office, have a look at the following list of duties, particular to this job:
Law Office Receptionist Duties & Responsibilities
• Greet clients as they arrive at the office, and inquire into their purpose of visiting the firm.
• Provide initial information regarding the firm’s services, and availability of lawyers.
• Obtain preliminary information from new clients, to determine their case histories, and backgrounds.
• Record all information provided by clients, and forward it to lawyers, or legal assistants.
• Respond to telephone calls, by operating PABX systems, diverting and transferring calls, and taking and relaying messages.
• Handle incoming and outgoing correspondence, according to established protocols and procedures.
• Ensure that all clients’ files are properly maintained, and updated on a regular basis.
• Provide clients with information on the policies and procedures of the legal firm.
• Assist in interviewing clients and witnesses, by taking down notes, and converting them to reports.
• Oversee the obtainment and storage of office supplies and equipment, while creating and maintaining an effective liaison with vendors and suppliers.
• Assist in handling research work, pertaining to case precedents, and organizing important information.
• Follow up with clients to obtain required information, by calling them, or sending them emails, based on orders from legal assistants.