legal professionals

[JazmenFlowers]

does anyone know where I can read up on the statute of limitations and statute of repose for each state?

[Betsy]

^^^

We use Lexis-Nexis and here is the link:

http://198.187.128.12/colorado/lpext...s-main.htm&2.0

As for other states, I think Lexis has them, you might have to maneuver your way around a bit to find them. Hope this helps.

[Betsy]

It's Friday, which means everybody and his brother is calling -- usually in anticipation of the weekend and the upcoming DUI ---

This one floored me. Seventy-eight year old woman ... her eighty year-old husband got a DUI ... last night. Neither one of them can hear to talk on the phone. Gleening information has been a bitch...

It's Friday....either it's quiet or it's crazy.

What's your Friday like?

[JazmenFlowers]

when I tell people Fridays are the worst for me, I get strange looks, but no one understands unless you are in it.

every attorney has waited til the last minute to do everything on top of the fact that they are trying to leave the office early.

so far, today hasn't been that bad and it's fairly quiet for now. wait until 3:30.

[amber]

So then, there are lots of times I could have said something here in this thread. But - at first I told Paula about the big problem with my office. She said it wasn't that serious. But then I told some friends, and some relatives, who were all dumbfounded and suggest I find a new job, now!
But it's all mellowed out somewhat. Or I've gotten used to it and lowered my expectations.
My office is very small. A couple of the people there, nice otherwise, won't return my greeting when I say "good morning!" directly to them. Like, they literally don't answer, though it is clear I am talking to them.

A couple other different ones(people) ask everyone (um, 4 other people) if they want lunch, but then don't ask me. Usually people all eat lunch together. All five of them. But these couple people don't even give an obligatory "what do you think about lunch, Amber?" or "I'm getting burritos, do you want something?"
Weird. But the non good morning people are very good about the lunch, they always ask me, though I don't usually get lunch with them (sometimes). And one of the non lunch guys always wish me a good morning if he sees me.
So, what does that mean? That the "good morning!" gene is incompatible withe the "do you want some of our lunch?" gene? C'mon!


There is one guy who doesn't do either, and he is an ass. He's the one who gives me random lectures about things like answering the phone, when he doesn't know what the hell he is talking about. He is the bully, pushy, assy lawyer. He likes to talk to people as if they were 10, about things they have already been doing for 10 years. He also likes to raise his voice about them in the office, while intimating that you are "unprofessional".

Look, man, you are really mad at me about something stupid and yelling at me in the office - who's really unprofessional here?
Then this one time recently the same guy threw a big baby fit with yelling and stuff in the office. Like he was 5. With stomping and stuff.
So, basically, I just wrote him off as a baby/bully. He has that jock guy voice from highschool, too. In fact, he IS that lame jock guy from highschool, but now he's a lawyer. Faaaantastic. He's also my age. But so the last time he was "yelling" at me about something I was smiling. Cause he was so ridiculous. Then he said "you think this is funny? This isn't funny!" so I had to play nice. There's no point in arguing with an illogical bully. And it's really too bad that he isn't smarter, and doesn't know what is going on as much as he thinks he does, or hardly at all. It's sad because he acts like he does. I just figure he is the type of guy who likes to yell at people, ie, a BULLY. He'll find any reason. Amend that, he'll find any reason for someone he thinks is beneath him. He's probably frustrated that he isn't in a big firm where he can yell at subordinates regularly.
Then, later, everyone else is all "I don't know what is up Chris's butt!(that's his name)" to me.
Nice. In that, the whole office knows he is just a big baby.
It's kind of sad, cause he is a scorpio, and I usually like them. 2 others in the place are scorpios, too, but one is a nice "non good morning" one, and the other is a "good morning, but I'll ask everyone but you if they want lunch" one.
Whatever, you know?
These aren't as bad of problems as Jaz, or someone, in that I'm not that overloaded with work. But it is bad in that I go into the office with a normal professional attitude and way of treating people that is regular, but that doesn't apply here. So I have to navigate these stupid emotional waters, that mean nothing to me. As in, what kind of asshole wouldn't say "good morning!" to their coworker when that worker said it first, and also, what kind of asshole would ask everyone in your 6 person office what they wanted for lunch except you. It would be different if it was a huge office, but among only 6 people, to ask everyone but one, that seems like a weird slight. And I'm not the most politest person ever, so if even I know these basic polite work etiquette rules, shouldn't they?
Serious playground mentality. Among people who are old enough to know better.
On the upside, I can find anyone's **** that they are ever looking for. Also strange - if you have a whole FILE, why do you have to just set it on top of the filing cabinet instead of opening that one drawer and placing it in its alphabetical place? It's not hard, it's the alphabet, clearly labeled. And I know for a fact that these people have extra time on their hands. They spend half their workday chatting with each other. About lunch, a lot.

So, what, you can't open the drawer with the corresponding alphabetical letter and replace the file? You act like you're so smart, and you have tons of time to chat, but you can't take four seconds to open a drawer? I guess ordering fried chicken for everyone but me has worn you out. Or, maybe complaining for a million years about something the boss asked you to do wears you out. So much so that you can't comprehend the workings of the drawer, or the concept of an alphabet.
Yo, fine. It makes me have a job. But you're still lame.
The worst part is, in this office, it could be so much more efficient, but no one can take this step. And I could, but I can't. I barely even have a computer. But I have lots of ways they could overhall their **** to make it better. But they are all just stuck in their stupid rut. And if they can't ask me about lunch, or answer my good morning, they certainly can't take on my efficient suggestions. And when I have presented my efficient suggestions, they have all said "yeah, we know, but the boss blah blah" This is the boss who is rarely there, and who is lame, and who everyone makes fun of.
The problem is, they are all fixed signs, scorpios and aquariuses, and they'd rather sit on their heels then work to change anything.
Before any of you get alarmed for my livelihood, don't worry, I don't present too many suggestions in a pushy way. I do, but then when they explain, I kind of back off. So far. I mean, they don't even invite me to lunch, I'm not equipped to change their computer/record keeping system. No, I am equipped, but as you may have noticed, they aren't as receptive as one would hope for. It could cut into their lunch deciding time.
Imagine me having efficient ideas for a whole office. And yet, I am not a slacker compared to them. And yet, they will clearly not do what I say, or suggest. They can't even invite me for lunch, or return my cheery "good morning!"
Man, if I ran that office, they would have even more time to talk about lunch, or chat with each other!!! I tell you what!!

Remember, all you seasoned legal professionals, this is my first legal job. I'm craving more responsibility, I want to constantly have the problem of too many deadlines and too much work/responsibility.

Whatev, I'm just trying to get good Bruce tickets....

[JazmenFlowers]

^^^
the lunch thing? yep, I've seen and heard that happen a lot.

as for the tantrums, etc. by attorneys...that's a law office for you. there is no other profession like working in a law firm.

[Livia]

Originally Posted by Betsy

What's your Friday like?

I was in Tulsa, attending another Alice in Chains acoustic show - at Cain's Ballroom.

Welcome to the trenches, Amber!

[Betsy]

Originally Posted by amber

... A couple of the people there, nice otherwise, won't return my greeting when I say "good morning!" directly to them. Like, they literally don't answer, though it is clear I am talking to them.

That's called "unconscious" or "hungover." Don't take it personally....it's just that THEY don't want to be there...so if they don't talk, they are invisible. (Remember the childhood game...of peek-a-boo?) Only thing is...we see them!

... A couple other different ones(people) ask everyone (um, 4 other people) if they want lunch, but then don't ask me.

I had the same thing happen to me...so I started bringing in donuts, home-baked choc. chip cookies and chips and salsa to share. Believe me...they will notice you and you might even get a "Thanks" or an "Atta girl!" And the assholes? I make sure that the goodies aren't out when they are. Isn't that petty?

... He's the one who gives me random lectures about things like answering the phone, when he doesn't know what the hell he is talking about.

GUTLESS WONDER found a job at your office?

... Then he said "you think this is funny? This isn't funny!" so I had to play nice.

Eventually you develop the poker face and are laughing your guts out on in the inside.

... Then, later, everyone else is all "I don't know what is up Chris's butt.

I was laughing outloud at this point. I thought our office was the only one, where a virus of some sort likes to craw up crevices...and burrow in."

These aren't as bad of problems as Jaz, or someone, in that I'm not that overloaded with work.

Yeah, I have to confess that they don't tax me too much...I worry about Jazzy and all the "research librarian" stuff he has to do. It sounds like they think he's part blood hound....they give him the scent and he's suppose to out perform Lassie or RinTinTin.

I use the old files as educational tools. If I am not real sure about the procedure, I will look up an archived file and study it so that I have some sort of clue as to the steps. You have to have access (computer) to the old files, and luckily I do.

... what kind of asshole wouldn't say "good morning!" to their coworker when that worker said it first, and also, what kind of asshole would ask everyone in your 6 person office what they wanted for lunch except you.

What sort of asshole would do that? I don't know, but every office has that same asshole...as did high school and grade school classes.

On the upside, I can find anyone's **** that they are ever looking for.

Insert here -- Roseanne Barr's joke...about how "men can never find anything...so they ask the woman, like the uterus is a tracking device."

Also strange - if you have a whole FILE, why do you have to just set it on top of the filing cabinet instead of opening that one drawer and placing it in its alphabetical place?

If the lawyer is billing $250 an hour, then he can't be licking stamps or sealing envlopes and charging the client for his time. Can you imagine how long it would take him/her to put that file away?? OK, so I am being facetious...


... The worst part is, in this office, it could be so much more efficient, but no one can take this step. ... And when I have presented my efficient suggestions, they have all said "yeah, we know, but the boss blah blah" This is the boss who is rarely there, and who is lame, and who everyone makes fun of.

The real "BOSS" in the office is the staus quo. No one wants to change to a new idea, because they don't want to learn a new system.

It's the female employees who do the "dog-eat-dog" thing. It is duck-and-cover. Some of these old gals can really sabotage you.

Right now we got Catherine the Great - Czarina of Russia. (Where the hell is Rasputin when you need him???)

Catherine fakes being sick....and we drones know she isn't sick. She just ain't wearing any make-up & looks pale. On Friday afternoon at 4:30 she takes a 1/2 hour bathroom break....but she ain't sick....she's in ther puttin' on her make-up. At 5 o'clock, she's headed to the bar and happy hour.

Whatev, I'm just trying to get good Bruce tickets....

FYI My comments are the RED ones....and Amber's are in black. (OK, so I ain't smart enough to use the multiple quote thing... So hire me a Ledge tutor, ok?)

I enjoyed your post Amber....you should have posted sooner. (And good luck on the Bruce Tix.)

[Standback383]

Originally Posted by gypsysoul

I'm in court pretty much every day, David.
My area of practice is not a nice one (child abuse) and it gets very stressful at times but certainly there's never a dull moment when you're cross examining people and trying to catch them out!
Also, as you know, I also do my journalism too, so, yeah, I'm pretty busy.

Good lord...my boss handles juvenile dependency appeals (he's both minor's counsel and the parents' counsel (he alternates))...pick up one of those transcripts and it will be enough to turn your stomach -- some of the cases are horrific. While most cases seem to have been handled properly, there are many cases in which HHSA appears to have REALLY overstepped its bounds......

[Standback383]

Originally Posted by JazmenFlowers

^^^

as for the tantrums, etc. by attorneys...that's a law office for you. there is no other profession like working in a law firm.

Isn't that the truth. I won't go into detail on this one.......

[Standback383]

Originally Posted by Betsy

^^^

We use Lexis-Nexis and here is the link:

http://198.187.128.12/colorado/lpext...s-main.htm&2.0

As for other states, I think Lexis has them, you might have to maneuver your way around a bit to find them. Hope this helps.

Lexis is much better than Westlaw (IMO)--it's better organized.

[Standback383]

Originally Posted by Livia

Yes, it's part of your job to:

a. be a mind-reader;
b. not make any mistakes; and
c. correct all of their mistakes, without them realizing it, because if you were to point out their mistakes, you would bruise their precious egos, and they would retaliate by giving you something heinous to type at 5 PM.

Don't you just LOOOVE it when they give you stuff to do at the last minute? I can't tell you how many times I've had to e-file documents with the district court at 4:59.....thankfully they've improved the ECF system.

[Betsy]

^^^

Welcome to the Club Standback383!!

[Livia]

Originally Posted by Standback383

Don't you just LOOOVE it when they give you stuff to do at the last minute? I can't tell you how many times I've had to e-file documents with the district court at 4:59.....thankfully they've improved the ECF system.

Yeah, most ECF courts allow you to file as late as midnight, to be timely.

My beef right now is w/ the other 2 legal assistants. I keep a pull-file calendar for 2 of my attorneys, which means I pull whatever files they want on a particular day, AND I re-calendar and refile whatever they've returned to me. When I left work last Thursday afternoon, I was completely caught up, and sent an email reminding the other 2 to do it while I was out on Friday. Today, there was a HUGE stack of files to be put away - mixed in with the huge stack of files were loose papers and internal billing paperwork that should never have been placed in that box in the first place - they didn't check one of the attorney's "out" boxes on his desk, so some things that should have been mailed last Thu PM, or Friday at the latest, were still on his desk. Nothing urgent, but still! Grrrr...I was just venting to someone else about the 2 slackers and decided that rather than say something now, I'll wait until the next time I take vacation. And I'll make it crystal clear then, via e-mail and cc all my attorneys, exactly what needs to be done on a daily basis while I'm gone.

[Betsy]

Does anybody get as many paper cuts as I do?

(This one's a bleeder.)