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LEGAL STAFF PROFILE
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“Cream of the Crop” Legal Secretary Sally Jarvis [By Robin Salisian] One might think that a professional legal secretary and certified legal secretary specialist would have had aspirations to work in the legal field from day one. After all, law, lawyers, and legal jargon are what would encompass your life the moment you sat down at your desk.
However, Sally Jarvis, a current legal
“I found the law fascinating,” Jarvis added.
an “educational association for legal
secretary in the trial department at Dorsey
“I learned quickly and soon discovered that I
secretaries whose members value ethics,
& Whitney in Seattle, WA, fell into law a
never wanted to do anything else.”
professionalism, and continuing legal education,” according to its website. She
different way. Jarvis worked for several years in
became a member in 1997, just two years
“In school we were told that the legal
Washington, DC, where she said she learned
after the organization was founded. At the
secretaries were the ‘cream of the crop.’
things there she could not have learned
time, Jarvis lived in Northern Virginia and
While I thought it sounded like interesting
anywhere else. One exciting experience
worked in Washington, DC, where she and
work...I wasn’t sure I was good enough,
was watching her attorney argue before the
her friend, Jan Sullivan, came together to
since it was always stressed no mistakes
United States Supreme Court.
form Legal Secretaries of D.C., Inc., “as a
could be made on legal documents. This, of
local affiliate.”
course, was before there was a computer
“[It] turned out to be a 9-0 victory in a
on every desk. Legal documents were typed
seminal case. It felt good to be a part of it,”
Jarvis was soon holding several board
in multiple copies with carbon paper, so
said Jarvis.
positions, including the position of president;
accuracy was very important.”
she is currently serving her second term in Currently, along with working for Dorsey
the post. By the end of the year, however,
Yet despite her doubts, Jarvis pressed on,
& Whitney, Jarvis acts as president of
Jarvis will leave office. Her plans? “I will
taking courses in typing, Gregg shorthand,
Legal Secretaries International, Inc.,
stay active in the association but in a less
English grammar, spelling, bookkeeping, transcribing, office practices, and psychology at the Memphis School of Commerce in Memphis, TN, figuring office work included work outside the legal field. Out of school and several jobs later, however, Jarvis was sent by an agency to interview with a law firm. Before she knew it, she was hired. Without any legal experience, Jarvis relied on the firm’s attorneys to guide and train her. “One of the first attorneys I worked for, a young partner by the name of Stuart, taught me a lot, said Jarvis. “I still had an awful lot to learn then, but Stu was patient and always
prominent role.” Q. What do you do for fun? A. I read a lot-detective stories, legal thrillers, and spy novels. I also love computers and spend a lot of time on the Internet, and I love to dance. Q. What CD is in your CD player right now? A. I’m not sure, but one of my favorites is “Old Time Rock ’n’ Roll” by Bob Seger.
do. He would discuss the facts and the legal
end with Legal Secretaries International, Inc. Recently, Jarvis became a certified legal secretary specialist in civil litigation, after passing “a four-hour examination that include[d] questions on legal secretarial procedures and in-depth knowledge of specialty procedures in one of six specialty
Q. What is the last magazine you read? A. In Brief, published by Legal Secretaries International, Inc. Q. What is your favorite TV show? A. I loved The West Wing while it was on. I also like Shark, How I Met Your Mother, What Not to Wear, and Iron Chef America. As you can see, I have pretty eclectic taste.
took the time to explain the cases and why we were doing things—not just what I needed to
But Jarvis’s role in the legal field does not
Q. Who is your role model? A. Della Street and my mother.
areas,” she explained. She also works as a legal secretary for Dorsey & Whitney, LLP, an international law firm with 18 offices in the United States, Canada, Asia, and Europe. With such esteemed positions held, it is difficult to remember that this secretary once doubted her ability to succeed in the legal field. But overcoming doubts and fears gives Jarvis confidence when offering others advice.
theories, and it brought the law alive for me.”
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LAWCROSSING
THE LARGEST COLLECTION OF LEGAL JOBS ON EARTH
LEGAL STAFF PROFILE
www.lawcrossing.com
1. 800.973.1177
“Pay attention and learn. Never turn down
joining a professional association. It’s a great
Official Tourism Site of Washington, DC
free training, even if it is on your own
way to make new friends and network across
www.washington.org/index.cfm?
time. You are the one who will ultimately
the country.”
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benefit. Keep your skills up to date—both your technical skills and your knowledge of procedures. Read what comes across your desk. If you don’t understand something, ask questions. That’s how you learn. Proofread everything; even a misplaced comma can make a difference. I would also recommend
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rentPage=7 ON THE NET Legal Secretaries International, Inc. www.legalsecretaries.org Dorsey & Whitney, LLP www.dorsey.com