So I recently started doing some work for another attorney, "M." When I started, M told me that they typically work from 7am to the afternoon and then check back in at night. But M also stressed that they are flexible with work hours, and as long as the work gets done they don't care when I work. I explained that I try to adhere to traditional work hours, 9am to 6pm, as much as possible.
Recently, M asked me to handle a case for them. They were very clear that they wanted me to handle everything involved in the case including all client communication. I have an email address set up through M's firm to do so. Great, all set.
I emailed the client and introduced myself, explained I would be working on the case, and got the client started on collecting evidence.
On Monday at 7am, the client emailed me that they had not received a link to a shared folder that they need. By the time I saw the email when I started work at 9am, M had already responded to the client with the link.
Today, at 2am, the client emailed M and M alone a whole bunch of questions about the instructions I provided. At 8am, M forwarded it to me, at my gmail account, asking if I would respond to the client.
I feel like the implication here by M's behavior is that I am somehow not getting back to the client fast enough. That is fucking absurd. We are all on the west coast, and it is perfectly appropriate for me to begin responding to emails at 9am. This is not urgent.
M also asked me about whether I had sent a sample letter to the client yet. I haven't. Typically because when I've sent a client a three page questionnaire and massive document list that they need to provide, I wait for them to get back to me before providing more instruction and requesting more documentation. I don't want to overwhelm clients and nothing bad is going to happen if a few days go by.
I'm handling this case perfectly appropriately. But I've barely started on it and I feel like I'm getting second guessed. By a person who very expressly wanted me to handle "the whole case from start to finish including all client communication."
I just don't need this extra sense of urgency. If it's not coming from the client, it shouldn't be coming from you.
