I think at bigger firms ( the kind that can actually afford in house IT) they have runners, paralegals, various secretaries and assistants of sorts, etc to deal

I think at bigger firms ( the kind that can actually afford in house IT) they have runners, paralegals, various secretaries and assistants of sorts, etc to deal with that. Lawyers and IT types don't deal with mountains of paperwork. I do know of a solo practitioner who deals with tons and tons (literally) of paperwork. I have a feeling people are projecting their big(ish) law experiences on the profession as a whole.