“We basically just work ourselves to death and stay unnoticed,” the judicial assistant said with a wide smile when I asked what her day to day looked like. It had only been a few minutes since I walked into chambers to meet the judge for whom I would be interning.

Like most law students, I expected that I would primarily learn from judges and attorneys. Indeed, when we think of the court system, these are the roles that immediately come to mind. Perhaps the court clerk, as well.

But judicial assistants? Do they even appear in the courtroom? What connection do they have to the judicial process aside from occasionally handing over necessary documents? I quickly found that this misconception was as false as it gets.

Over the following days, I began to appreciate the indispensable role judicial assistants play within the court. Hearings do not randomly appear on calendars, emails do not magically reach the appropriate parties, and chambers do not organize themselves—someone must ensure that these functions are carried out efficiently and accurately.

Judicial assistants track orders, motions and pending matters; answer questions from attorneys and self-represented litigants; ensure judges have the correct files and materials before hearings; and, in many respects, serve as the right hand of the judge.

The visibility trap

What many people fail to appreciate is that courtroom proceedings represent only a small portion of a case’s lifespan. Long before a hearing is called or a motion is argued, countless administrative and logistical matters must be resolved.

Nevertheless, judicial assistants are barely seen, if ever. All you know is that they exist. When I worked as a paralegal, I communicated with them primarily through email or, at most, heard their voices in voicemails. It is striking how the importance of their work is often so disproportionate to the attention they receive.

My observations are hardly unique. In examining courts in the United States, England and Wales, and the Netherlands, legal scholar Nina Holvast observed that judicial assistants are often “largely invisible to the public,” despite playing a vital role in the judicial process.

Let us examine the opposite extreme. Hypothetically speaking, suppose one morning you awaken to discover that all judicial assistants are gone. What would happen? In short, court operations would begin to unravel. Now, imagine that they are present but inattentive or incompetent. What happens then? Misplaced files, missed deadlines, scheduling conflicts and administrative confusion. So much within the court system depends upon judicial assistants that they must not only be present but consistently meticulous, organized and dependable.

Watching a courthouse is, to some extent, similar to watching a theater production. The audience sees the main characters—those around whom the main events revolve—but rarely thinks about the stagehands, lighting technicians and crew members working behind the curtain. Yet remove them and the performance quickly grinds to a halt.

The view from behind the curtain

It is no secret that law schools teach aspiring professionals how to think like attorneys. Granted, interpreting judicial opinions and writing memoranda are essential skills and constitute a significant portion of legal education. But grasping what occurs behind the scenes provides a more complete and coherent picture of how courts actually function, rather than a perspective limited to the “tip of the iceberg”—the most visible participants and procedures.

Interning at the courthouse further challenged a misconception that extends well beyond its walls. In many professions, visibility is often mistaken for importance. We naturally gravitate toward judges, attorneys, executives and other highly visible figures. To be sure, they deserve the attention, respect and recognition they receive.

The point is not that they receive too much recognition, but that others often receive too little. Teamwork applies to institutions as much as it does to individuals, though many of the people making that teamwork possible remain out of sight. Success is made possible because countless professionals quietly and reliably perform vital responsibilities. Judicial assistants are among the clearest illustrations of that reality.

Respect beyond the bench

Once, an elderly law professor of mine had a note written in all capital letters on the whiteboard when I walked into class: “IF YOU WANT TO SUCCEED AS A LAWYER, BE POLITE AND MANNERLY; THEN DOUBLE THAT POLITENESS TOWARD THE JAs.”

As someone who interacts with them regularly, I cannot emphasize that point enough. Judicial assistants are, quite literally, the bridge between the judge and the parties, attorneys, jurors and court staff. It is easy to be courteous to a judge. It is easy to be respectful to a senior partner. The true test of professionalism is often reflected in how we treat those who may not have the final say in a matter. As a result, interactions with judicial assistants can reveal a great deal about an attorney’s professionalism.

More truth than humor

In hindsight, one of the more surprising realizations from my internship came within minutes of entering chambers.

“We basically just work ourselves to death and stay unnoticed.”

At the time, I viewed the remark as little more than a joke. After spending time in chambers, however, its reflection of reality became increasingly apparent. Judicial assistants may never be the most visible or prominent figures in the courthouse—nor do they seek to be. Their contributions, however, are woven throughout nearly every aspect of its operation. Appreciating that reality provides a more comprehensive understanding of both the courts and the many professionals whose efforts make the administration of justice possible.

Hamlet Beglaryan is an incoming student at the University of Florida who currently works as a judicial intern in Florida. He recently earned an associate of science degree in paralegal studies from Seminole State College and previously co-authored an article published in the Florida Bar’s Workers’ Compensation Section publication.

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