Embarkation

I suppose I’ve always had an interest in the law. Even as a young person, something about the structure of rules, the clarity of procedure, and the way people relied on the legal system drew me in. In high school, an aptitude test suggested I’d be well suited for a career in court reporting. My mom happened to know a court reporter who assured her it was a wonderful vocation—steady, respected, and in demand—so the path seemed clear enough. After graduating from high school in 1973, I headed to San Francisco to attend court reporting school. Two years later, in 1975, I completed the coursework. Around the same time, I became engaged and threw myself into the whirlwind of wedding preparations- all while studying for the California CSR exam. During that period, I was able to work as a court reporter as long as the parties agreed to my non-licensed status. It didn’t take long for me to realize the career wasn’t the right fit for me, but I continued with my plan to sit for the exam. I passed the written portion, but when it came to the machine test, something unexpected happened: I froze. Not because it was too difficult, but because it felt too easy. That moment of surprise unsettled me. I stumbled in those critical first minutes, and it cost me the test. 

Peregrination 

 Soon after, I married my husband who had just finished basic training in the Army. His first assignment was at Fort Lewis in Tacoma, Washington. So as soon as we were married, we moved
north. In Washington, I found work through an employment agency, and on only my second assignment, I was offered a position as a legal secretary for a four-attorney firm in Olympia. As
it turned out, my court reporting training was an excellent foundation for legal office work. The firm was located just behind the courthouse, and alongside another legal secretary, I helped
manage the workflow for attorneys specializing in family law, corporate matters, real estate, and civil practice. The hands-on training was invaluable. I attempted the CSR machine test once
more during this time, but the combination of wedding plans and relocating had disrupted my preparation, and again I didn’t pass. By then, I was enjoying my work so thoroughly that I
decided court reporting was no longer the path for me. 

Two years into my husband’s assignment at Fort Lewis, he received orders for South Korea. I wasn’t allowed to accompany him, so I moved back home to the Bay Area and again turned to an employment agency- this time as an experienced legal secretary. I soon landed in a medium-sized law firm in Oakland, working for civil litigation and corporate attorneys. The pace was relentless. I often had to tell the attorneys to wait because my desk was typically buried under ten piles of work. I handled the firm’s billing as well, a task I’d already done in Olympia. It was chaotic, but I learned a lot… or at least I thought I did. Around 1980, one of the attorneys I worked for decided to start his own practice and asked me to join him. We rented two offices inside another law firm, and I ended up with the best office I’ve had in my entire 50-plus-year career. I was surrounded by windows, with a view of a big oak tree. I became acquainted with the local birds and squirrels, and the environment suited me perfectly. I had a wonderful boss: no micromanaging, just trust and collaboration. That matched my work style exactly.

Burgeoning 

In 1983, we moved to an office in Orinda, and two more attorneys from our old firm joined us. Together, we built a thriving practice. Around 1985, the word-processing revolution hit. We invested in dedicated word-processing computers, and suddenly carbon paper and white-out became relics (though mentioning them does give away my age). Then in 1989, an article in a county legal magazine caught my eye. It described a local association for legal secretaries. I had no idea how profoundly that discovery would shape the next chapters of my career. I joined the association immediately and, over the next four decades, served in every capacity within the association. I also chaired two statewide committees: the Publications Revision Committee; and the California Certified Legal Secretary (CCLS) Certifying Board. I earned my CCLS designation in 1998.

Eager to expand my professional credentials, I later completed a paralegal studies program and received my certificate in 2001. In 2017, after more than 48 years working together, my long-time boss retired, marking the end of an era. I transitioned into working as a contract legal assistant- a role I continue to enjoy. This year marks my 50th anniversary in the legal field. From court reporting school in San Francisco to law offices in Washington, Oakland, Orinda, and beyond, each step--even the missteps--led me to a career that has brought me purpose, growth, and enormous satisfaction. And after all these years, I’m still happy with the decision I made back in 1975: to build my life as a legal assistant. Fifty years later, I can confidently say I made the right career choice.

By Maria Bishop, CCLS